FYI - BA's current advice on the "to lock/unlock luggage" issue

[Beejayjay]

I sent BA an Email at the weekend asking what their advice is regarding this contentious issue, and got the following reply :

"Luggage on your outward flight to Orlando should be locked as you would do normally. Upon leaving the United States it is suggested that you keep you baggage unlocked but perhaps take some cable ties to offer some sort of protection."

This seems to be the general concensus at the moment.

Just our luck that a while back my lass and I bought hard shell cases with combination locks that cable ties can't really be utilised on.

Aside from those straps that go around the whole case, any other suggestions ? Thanks.




PS - Is it just me or is it reeeaaallly quiet around here at the moment ?

 

[Red-Snapper]

We have hard cases but put cable ties through the loops on the double zips for the return journey (they were still there when we got to Gatwick)

 

[sadeeyore]

We have hard cases with combination locks (no Zips). I had thought about writing the combination of the case near to the lock - so that they can be opened without force.

 

[steve_rob]

I also have a hard case with combination lock. As I handed it over to the agent at Orlando a few months ago, I told him that it currently was on the correct (i.e. unlocked) combination, but asked if they could change it when they had finished with it.

When I got it back at Gatwick, the combination was on a setting that I wouldn't have put it on, so I guess they must have. Maybe they do this as a matter of course, maybe it was only cause I asked, but it's worth noting.

 

[janeossie]

Yup is is very quiet at the moment. I think it might have something to do with the number of people gone or due to go somewhere!?

Luckily I bought new cases last year but got soft cases was thinking about hard cases but decided I wanted the weight to fill them not the cases themselves!!



Jane

 

[calvinjtodd]

We arrived back this morning, Virgin say "It's up to you if you decide to leave them unlocked" we have hard caes so we bought a couple of the case straps so when they were tightened up around the case you can put cable ties through the clip and so lock them closed. when we arrived at manchester none of our bags had been opened but I would estimate at least 30% of the bags that went past us on the carousel had the blue customes tags secuering ones that had been opened. the family next to us three of their cases opened, all the locks had been cut off as they chose to lock them, maybe US customes target cases that are locked?

Calvin & Anne

 

[mike230652]

Beejayjay ..and all others
....................We got back today ( 2.30 p.m. )

One of our cases had been opened by American Customs ( TSA ). Luckily it was only a zip/lock type. I say luckily because we witnessed a combination lock hard case which had been opened and it was a mess!!

There was a label inside our case from the TSA informing us they'd opened it and also that THERS IS NO RECOURSE FOR ANY COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE!!

We only lost a £4 lock, so no big deal....but I can see this causing hassle

I'll get the actual leaflet out in the next day and give you the full script on what it says........also the absolute fiasco that BA caused for us at Gatwick GGrrrhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


mike230652

...............apart from that a great, great holiday!!

 

[caroley]

We got back this morning. At DTD checkin there was a sign on the desk telling you to leave the cases unlocked. We have a nice set of hard cases with combination locks. I really didn't want them ruined, nor did I want to leave them unlocked as this can invalidate your insurance, so we bought a cheap set of zip up cases, a few months ago, to use instead.

None of our cases were opened, and they had cheap padlocks on. Our large walmart holdall was locked in the middle, but the two end compartments had no way to secure them. Guess what. The contents of one of the compartments was stolen somewhere between DTD and Gatwick.

I think that's a good enough reason to lock the cases!

 

[floridalol]

Something needs to be done about this - there are no insurers out there (please tell me if I am wrong) that will compensate you if your baggage is left unlocked and items are stolen - it's on the way home that your cases are full of souvenirs, gifts and clothing etc. Everyone wants to fly safely and I fully endorse all security measures but surely cases could be checked upon check-in whilst you are there. I know this would lead to long queues but at least you would know your cases were locked afterwards and no baggage handler would have easy access to your belongings.

FloridaLol