Flying with Virgin did you have to leave your cases unlocked?

[Katies Dad]

Hi, could anyone who has recently flown with Virgin, tell me if you
are still expected to leave your cases unlocked when checking in.

Also if you have kiddies on your passport, did you have any problems when arriving at OIA?

Many thanks.

 

[JANNYANS]

You could use electrical cable ties to do up your case so the authorities find it easy to open without having to take bolt cutters to it.The ruling about children on adult passports comes into force on Oct 1st

 

[jwhiting]

We flew with Virgin a month ago to Orlando and had exactly the same question floating around in our heads.

In the end we locked them and they went through without any need to be opened.

Hope this puts your mind at rest.

Julian

 

[MalcolmC]

We flew Virgin in June. We left our cases unlocked and had no problems. We actually had one of our cases searched by security at Manchester as we queued to check in.

We didn't leave any valuables in the cases though.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would want to rummage through my underwear!!!

 

[Katies Dad]

I think we`ll have to leave them unlocked as they are hard cases with combination locks. We are not going to set a combination and have bought some cheap luggage straps as an extra precaution. If anyone checks our cases and messes up DW`s packing she won`t be a happy bunny!!!!!

My job is just to carry the cases and turn up on holiday!!

Thanks, Phil

 

[signtalker]

we went in May, with virgin, and at checkin they were advising all people who had locked their cases to unlock them!!!.We had used cable ties and told the checkin attendant this, who didnt bat an eyelid.
Coming back we saw sooooo many cases that had been opened.

Jules

 

[ThumperThistle]

We flew with Virgin last week, all bags were checked in with padlocks fastened and we collected them at Gatwick with locks still locked. I see it more of a security risk if bags are not locked.

 

[penlanspice]

Hi

When we travelled in april on our way back at orlando int. they were making people in front of us take there pad locks off.
When we collected our bags at gatwick one of ours had been searched in florida, we knew as they had put a plastic tie on it, and a letter inside to say it had been searched. just as well nothing was missing, as on the letter it stated they would not be responsible for lost or damaged articles!!

Sam

 

[amf]

As the TSA make the rules on this issue, their current guidelines can be found here

 

[BiGGy]

We phoned Virgin about a week ago to ask them what we should do when we go in october and they told us that the cases must be left open and if they are broken open ( we got hard cases too) it was basically tough luck.

were looking at some luggage straps and cable tie combo


Rgds

BiGGy

 

[snookhams]

This may seem a pretty stupid question - but if you use cable ties then how do you get them off when you arrive at the hotel as surely all scissors and penknives should be in your cases, or am I just finding things to worry about!

 

[BiGGy]

i thought about this too and what i thought i would do is tell the kids that unless they chew the cable ties off the cases they cant leave the hotel


or thought of asking the virgin rep at the airport, im sure they would have something to cut it with



rgds

BiGGy

 

[Goofyish]

I think you are allowed to take a small pair of nail clippers in your hand luggage, you can use these to cut the cable ties.

 

[wendym]

Don't leave the cases locked - cable ties are a good idea though. Best thing is if you have an outside pocket in one of your checked cases - put a pair of scissors there. Nail clippers would do it too.
Wendy
PS For those of you not travelling direct be prepared for long queues at security and be prepared to take your shoes off!

 

[Beejayjay]

Does anybody know if this issue applies to all airlines or is it peculiar just to Virgin ?

My bunch and I are flying BA to Orlando on Boxing day, and my lady and I just bought new hard cases with both key and combination locks for the trip.

Any info would be appreciated guys !

 

[Goofyish]

It's nothing to do with specific airlines; it's airport security that are insisting bags are left open to enable them to open any bags where they can't identify an item or an item looks a dodgy on the xray screen.

 

[wendym]

We weren't flying with Virgin but with United but I think it will apply to all airlines. We were in Chicago, Orlando, LAX and Dulles airports (yes, long trip!) and each time we checked in they asked if the cases were locked - at most airports we had to take the cases to a different place to be screened and again they checked to make sure they weren't locked. If they are locked and they want to to get in them they will!
Wendy

 

[Grumpy John]

We used cable ties and case straps in May. On the picking up luggage at Gatwick one of the cases have been opened, searched and the cable tie replaced with a blue security tie.

At the BA check in at Orlando they were checking ALL luggage prior to check in.

In that case I would not cable tie them until they had finished their search.

 

[Katies Dad]

Hi, have just got back to Manchester via Orlando Int. and two of our four bags had been opened, checked and re-sealed with the blue tags.

We actually saw them go thru the machine at Orlando and onto the conveyor belt, thought that everything was OK, but when they turned up at Manchester we found they had been opened, so they must check them somewhere else as well.

Everything was fine, we did leave them open and it seems from checking with security this is what they want you to do.

Ask if you want any more info.

 

[WDWfan uk]

I phoned Virgin Atlantic to discuss the issue - to lock or keep unlocked - after reading Annie's ('Mrs Dazzle's') experience with the damaged case and reading numerous letters in travel sections of newspapers etc, about people's cases being forced open and broken.

We have never kept our cases unlocked and DH is very much against leaving them open.

The person I spoke to told me they'd advise that cases should be locked even though they know US security are forcing locks and breaking into them - because it is very easy for someone to put something inside your case if they are not locked.

Naturally your luggage is with you until it is checked in, but after that, it is airside at the mercy of baggage handlers.

An American friend suggested that we use "breakaway lock ties" which are available in packages in US luggage stores - I'm not totally clear what these are, but has anyone seen anything in luggage shops here that would satisfy both the TSA and DH?