Luggage Check

[wicket2005]

The same happened to us. The only addition to the cases was a small sticker saying TSA screened. Perhaps they only pull the cases that have something electrical inside during busy times.

 

[pauldents]

On our last visit we used metre long cable ties and wrapped them around both suitcases. When we got to the other end, we used a steak knife to cut them off.

 

[Kerryc]

We got tannoyed at Sanford last year to go to the desk, we were asked for the keys for the cases as they had found something they didnt like the look of on xray, the only thing I think it could have been was a huge jar of nescafe we bought from Walmart while we were there and decided to bring it home and not waste it!! And it wasn't even Columbian honest

 

[homerdog]

The thing I'm worried about is all my luggage is Samsonite, there is nowhere to put a cable tie, or padlock.

It's fine to lock Samsonite cases, because the locks are so easy to open, almost any key will do. Delseys are much harder to get into

 

[Laurafoster]

It's fine to lock Samsonite cases, because the locks are so easy to open, almost any key will do. Delseys are much harder to get into

We had our cases searched this year at Gatwick as we checked in they called us over. The airport secuirty told us it is actally law not to lock your case (although the airline told us to lock the cases!!) personally id either use a TSA lock or buy a strap and push the zip underneath it, this prevents the case coming undone. At the end of the day if they want to search your case they are going to do it no matter what lock (or no lock) you have on!

 

[browny121]

Hi everybody,

Have just got back - did the morning check in at Downtown Disney yesterday(brilliant idea) no hassle no long waits at the airport.

Spoke to the guy from Virgin whilst he was tagging the bags he said it was best to leave the cases unlocked (we had bought the TSA luggage straps out there $15 each from Samsonite shops) as he had seen the TSA security use hammer and chisels to open the bags in the past.

When we got to Gatwick today every case had a TSA seal on the baggage tag saying they had cleared all cases.

I now know what to do in future.

 

[Amyrlin]

If you want to leave your cases unlocked then do so, but remember that your insurance will not cover you for anything that is lost if the cases are not secured.

The TSA locks are not expensive, they let you lock your luggage in a way US security are happy with as they can open them with master keys, and your luggage remains secure and insured.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Hi everybody,

Have just got back - did the morning check in at Downtown Disney yesterday(brilliant idea) no hassle no long waits at the airport.

Spoke to the guy from Virgin whilst he was tagging the bags he said it was best to leave the cases unlocked (we had bought the TSA luggage straps out there $15 each from Samsonite shops) as he had seen the TSA security use hammer and chisels to open the bags in the past.

When we got to Gatwick today every case had a TSA seal on the baggage tag saying they had cleared all cases.

I now know what to do in future.

Did they have a leaflet inside the cases? that's when they have actually opened them, not just screened them

 

[mikki.young]

At least the confusion is not as bad now as when they first introduced this policy. We did have one case broken when they searched it from the early days and we still locked it. Now we happily use the lockable TSA straps as they will be a lot cheaper to replace than a case! I know they are supposed to be able to open them but I have heard more stories than from this discussion when they don't know what they are doing. Think we have only had the note inside the case once since we started using the straps - 4 cases, twice a year, not a high percentage of physical searches done / required.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We use the TSA approved locks (a nice shade of yellow! ) and have had out cases check once, I think due to the fact my suit had been dry cleaned and was on a metal coat hangar, but no problems whatsoever.

 

[Queenie]

We both had TSA locks on our cases this year and neither had a note inside so they weren't screened. All we had was the lovely glittery TSA checked sticker on the luggage tag!

The TSA locks are so cheap now it's probably worth getting them just in case. I get a lot of souvenirs so I wouldn't be happy leaving my case unlocked, but I don't want it being broken into either. I imagine the TSA locks that still get broken off are in the minority, probably just a few members of staff who don't know what they're doing! There's always one isn't there?!

 

[browny121]

No there were no leaflets inside any of the cases just a TSA stamp on the baggage tag saying they had been cleared.

None of the cases had been opened.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Queenie,

have the two of you (in your pictures) been wearing that same clothes for the past twelve months??

 

[Queenie]

I'm not wearing the same clothes in the two pics, I'm the one crouched down in pic one and in the England shirt in pic 2! The lady wearing the same outfit is Linda - Scott's mum. I only noticed Scott was wearing the same outfit when I put them beside each other and I had a good laugh at him about it! He barely has any summer clothes!