Locking luggage

[xsred]

What the situation with locking luggage? Our luggage was supplied with little padlocks, but I am confused as to whether you should lock your luggage or not? I don't really see the point of putting on these ties if they can just be cut off, but not sure what airline policies are about locking your luggage.

 

[Charlotte D]

Hi just to say that you can lock your suitcase but if after they have x-rayed your case they see something which looks odd I believe that they would break open your case to find out what it was. I am a travel agent and have not come across anyone who has had this done to them so wouldn't worry to much, i also have never had my case opened and have travelled away quite a lot on holidays and with my job.

I'm sure your be fine just have a great time in orlando where are you staying?

Thanks
Charlotte

 

[xsred]

We are staying at Bridgewater Crossing, getting dead excited now!!

Thanks for your comments

 

[homerdog]

There's no point in locking your suitcase from a security point of view, as they are all easy to get into, hence why Charlotte has never knowingly had her case opened

However, it may stop it from bursting open, as would a plastic tie. Using a tie also lets you know if someone has been in the case, albeit probably for legitimate reasons!

 

[SidB]

I have to comment on this. On my last trip BACK to the UK there were a lot of damaged cases on the carousel. Most were taped together with "US Security" or something similar printed on them. I believe that they will cut off padlocks or cable ties if they need to access the contents. My advise would be to not lock hard cases, and use cable ties instead of a padlock. If you use a cable tie just remember that you'll need access to a knife or scissors (which you should have packed inside the case) to remove them !!

 

[rainyUK]

Hi when we went in February this year we cable tied our cases (as the previous year the case was opened and a security form explaining why the case was opened was inside - but they do not re-attach those small locks which come with the cases, and sometimes they are damaged) soon after packing it all in the case we realised that we needed to retrieve something from the case - hence a visit to Walgreens to get some sissors - after re-cable tieing the suitcase back up - we slipped the sissors in the zipped compartment of the suitcase - which was handy at the other end when we needed to cut them off again. They had opened 2 out of our 6 cases - but both were re-cable tied with the normal security note that they put inside to say that the cases were opened.

To be honest those little locks are so easy to get into & they have master keys for all locks behind the scenes - We usually use those little locks on the way out and cable ties on the way back.

I don't think the airlines have a policy of locking the luggage - it is personal preference, to be honest because we buy things whilst we are out in the USA, that can't be replaced - ie souvenirs etc we are more security concious on the way back anyway, so hence use the cable ties.

 

[expatscot]

If you do a search on this site, there is a link to the US security site showing which cases they can open without breaking in eg Samsonite Cases are one of the names on the list.

 

[UKDEB]

This is from Virgin Atlantic's website:

<font color=red>Since January 2003 the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) has been screening 100% of baggage at all US commercial airports. The TSA advise that bags are left unlocked in order to facilitate their search process, however Virgin Atlantic does not support this advice.

You will know if your bag has been opened as part of the screening process as it will be resealed with a tamper evident seal and a notice will be placed inside the bag informing the owner that it has been opened for inspection by a TSA official.</font>

Bags aren't screened by the TSA on entering the States, therefore feel free to lock them on the outward trip. Despite the claim made here by Virgin, we did spot a notice at the Downtown Disney check-in just over a week ago advising passengers to leave luggage unlocked.

We used to use the hard cases with combination locks. We weren't entirely comfortable with leaving them unlocked, but if we locked them we ran the risk of them being completely ruined if the TSA decided to open them. Quite apart from that they're very heavy even before you start to fill them and we were often given a gentle reminder about weights as the check-in staff slapped "heavy" stickers all over them.

We now only use cases with zippers and secure them with small padlocks. For the first time this trip one of our cases was opened. Inside the case was the notice from the TSA and the padlock (which had been cut off). The case wasn't damaged in any way, although it hadn't been resealed.

 

[xsred]

So basically it seems the current consensus from a security point of view seems to be not to bother to lock it in the first place as people can open the padlocks and the ties can just be cut off?? Thanks to everyone who replied. Have to say though I am still a bit confused and it's all as clear as mud!!

 

[UKDEB]

The danger with leaving them unlocked is that an unscrupulous airport employee could chance their luck. At least if you lock them it makes your case less attractive to the opportunist.

 

[lucy_love_]

my husband who worked in the states for 2 years in 2002-2003 never locked his cases. he made 24 trips in two years and never once locked it. he says he doesnt see the need and if someone wants to get into it they will. dunno if that helps anyone. he never had a problem apart from once his case ended up at another airport but they got it straight back to us. he brought all sorts of gifts back and they were never touched.

love

lucy

 

[homerdog]

Originally posted by UKDEB

We used to use the hard cases with combination locks. We weren't entirely comfortable with leaving them unlocked, but if we locked them we ran the risk of them being completely ruined if the TSA decided to open them.

Combination locks are really easy to crack, I would be surprised if the TSA force them open.

It's also much easier to use a 'master' key to unlock cases, rather than trying to force them.

Personally, I would lock them to stop them bursting open, you wouldn't believe the amount of abuse they get behind the scenes (falling off moving trucks, out of holds, thrown from a great height onto the belt etc). It's really embarrassing when all your dirty laundry appears on the reclaim belt!

 

[patdavies]

The 'heavy' tag is not there to embarrass you.

Health & Safety guidelines set a limit of 25 Kgs as the maximum safe lift for a single man (16 Kgs for a woman). The 'heavy' tag is put on bags that exceed 25 kgs so that it is marked as needing 2 men to lift it - where the H&S limit is 32 Kgs.

Anything over 32 Kgs should strictly go as cargo, where fork lifts etc. are available.


The TSA will not search bags on the way into the US (they are trying to prevent incidents on planes) - US Customs might search on the way in, but you will be present.

On the home journey, TSA will screen 100% of baggage using X-ray equipment - if they see anything suspicious, they will open the bag and manually inspect. If they cannot immediately open the bag - either with a master key etc. or cutting off a cable tie - then they will force it. They will not compensate you for any damge.

The suggested method of fastening a bag is to use a very tight cable tie - this provides similar protection against casual theft or bag burst as most of the silly little padlocks - but is easily cut off by TSA. If they open the bag, they will insert a memo to that effect and reseal the bag with a blue TSA cable tie if possible.

We have had bags searched (perhaps it was ambitious packing the blender - lol)but no damage. Our travel insurer accepts that cable tie count as reasonable care.

 

[mickg7dyd]

Hi,
One of our cases was opened by US security on our last trip ( they put a small note inside informing me ) When I saw the damage caused to some of the other cases on the luggage reclaim I was pleased I hadn't locked mine. We just fasten our cases as normal leave them unlocked and put a luggage strap on as a backup.

Mick.

 

[tartangirl]

We had our bags opened on the way home last year - we had padlocked them and they were returned with ties. I dont know how security got the padlocks off but I doubt it took them long - and there was no damage.

Not sure on the padlocks you have but the vast majority of suitcase locks/padlocks offer no more protection than a cable tie so if an employee is determined to get into your bag they will.

I wouldn't leave them unlocked as with my luck the bag would open accidentally (catch on something) and the contents would be strewn across the runway.

this year we used cable ties - no problems

 

[SNOWHITE7]

I have bought some special padlocks which are approved by the TSA and carry a mark to identify them. The TSA have special master keys to open them and the padlock manufacturers say they will be refitted if your bag is opened. I bought them from www.magellans.co.uk they have both combination and keyed locks. The locks with keys were £6.85 for two.

 

[xsred]

Thanks everyone, I think we'll probably stick the padlocks on and if they have to break them then that's fine. Offers a little security I suppose at the end of the day, if someone really wants to get in your case they will!!

 

[PAB1]

We have just got back from Orlando and for the second year running have had one of our cases opened by US Customs. We didn't know this until we got home and unpacked as on both occasions the cases were locked back up with no locks broken but had a note inside saying they had been unlocked and inspected. Both these cases were the hard type ones with combination locks.