flying in to US with locked bags

[Kim Styles]

I read the article in the Telegraph about bags being forced open by US authorities. If you fly into the US with locked bags are they still likely to be forced open, or is it just when you leave the US? We are flying out next week and I don't know whether to lock or not. There are no real alternatives. I read parcel ties can be a compromise, but then how do you get them off at the other end since you cannot carry sissors? Aargh!

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

Hi,

Certainly on Virgin you can travel to the US with locked bags ) I flew to MCO from LGW in March and my bag was locked.

It is only on the return at check in at MCO that VS asked me if my bag was unlocked ( I have a hard sided Samsonite case with a combination locks) and I did not twirl the combinations round so that it could be opened if need be.

At LGW the bags came out and I assume it was not opened as there was no TSA note ( nothing missing from the bag either).

Hope this helps

Regards
TBS

 

[JANNYANS]

When we flew in January our bags were checked in both directions.Those that were locked were attacked with 2 feet long bolt cutters.I don't know what they thought of my cases they were full of things for my house.!

 

[signtalker]

So whats the best option then to lock or not?, my concern would be seeing all my clothes ,undies and other things swinging round on the carousels!!, we are flying with Virgin.

Jules

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've just checked the Virgin website but it doesn't say whether luggage should be locked or not. I would recommend you ask when you check-in. It should be relatively easy to unlock a padlock or enter a combination code at the check-in desk.

The BA website states that luggage should be locked when possible.

Regards

Rob

 

[WDWfan uk]

....... on the other thread regarding this issue, I sugggested contacting your insurance company to check that you are still covered if anything is lost from your luggage whilst the bags are unlocked - please let us know what they say.

 

[Kim Styles]

Hi WDW Fan,
I rang my insurance company and explained my query. The girl had to go off and check then she said it made no difference whether bags were locked or not. She also said that bags are not ripped open as they have master keys, so I explained what I had read and she was obviously not up on this new 'procedure'. I am still thinking of locking my bags otherwise anyone can rifle through them and if that is the case(pun not intended!) how does any one know if any lugage is secure and nothing has been 'added' behind the scenes?

 

[neo's white rabbit]

All news to me, I would never fly with unlocked luggage - unfortunately not all baggage handlers are going to be that honest.

If it's an issue why aren't they checking all luggage (time consuming I know) or have a sysytem whereby they can state that we won't be robbed or find our undies on display in baggage reclaim. And good point - no good asking if our luggage has been with us at all time etc if they then want to take it off us unlocked so some crook has access.

I'd be interested to hear what you did and what happened on your travels when you get back Kim.

 

[Kim Styles]

Hi Neo's white rabbit,
Iam still pondreing over what to do. I am leaning towards old suitcases locked so it won't matter if they get damaged. I'll post my results when I get back. Surely this security risk of unlocked bags has occurred to the authorities - hasn't it?

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Hi Kim

Being a cynic I don't think it's been thought through or planned to that degree.

And, to be honest, I don't think it's that hard to get your average luggage lock off if they want too.

I wonder if you put one of those straps that go all the way around the case and tighten would they just cut that off too?

It's one thing to check - and I think we'd all agree we have no issue about that - it's the way it's been done.

When do you travel?

 

[neo's white rabbit]

You must be getting excited now it's so close. We're spending this evening with neighbours who are off to Orlando for Easter. They went last year and enjoyed it so much they're going back!

I think one of the things I'm looking forward to the most (other than our luggage arriving intact and having a pool in the back garden is the dolphin swim at Discovery Cove. No-one else in the family know I've booked it yet!

Looking forward to your trip reports

 

[BevS97]

I just asked my mum about this (she's a BA customer service rep), she didn't really have an answer, she said if security want to open your bag, then they will, and if that means damaging the case, then they will have no hesitation to do that.

On the other hand, she also said theft was pretty rife and not to put anything valuable in your case. She said she gets countless phone calls from people who have put a laptop in their suitcase and had it stolen, so she would have to recommend carrying on any laptops or video cameras, but that's just her personal recommendation.

and then on the third hand, she said that personally, she had never locked her cases (probably why it never occured to me to lock mine), but that she doesn't leave anything valuable in them either.

So, unfortunately, no definitive answer...

Bev

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Thanks for trying Bev. The answer would seem to be

1. Put anything valuable in your hand luggage

2. It's a lottery/personal choice when it comes to locking cases.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Reading the thread has reminded me of something. Last year on our return home I noticed that one of our hold-alls had no padlock. I was so sure that I had put a padlock on in it before we left for the airport, because I always lock kuggage.

I never really gave it much thought until now - had my bag been opened and someone had a good nosey around???


Cath

 

[neo's white rabbit]

I flew PE with Virgin back from LA last June and one of my bags arrived on the carousel minus it's lock. I just presumed it had snapped off through rough handling, quite likely it was opened to check the contents I suppose with this new information.

 

[steve_rob]

I suppose at least now we will know that if we find one of those notes inside we know that it was opened by the US Government and not someone just wanting to rifle through our bags for the sheer hell of it. Not that that's much comfort, but it's something...