padlocking suitcases

[London Calling]

Hi

Just wanted to clarify issue about padlocking cases. have i got this right , that it is ok to padlock suitcase when entering the US from the Uk but not to padlock them on the return flight, unless you use TSA apporved locks.

 

[lagunn]

no 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

 

[carolfoy]

always remember to have your suitcases unlocked before they go in through checkin in uk and us If customs want to search your bag they can and will break locks to get into a suitcase and they have every right to do this. I have loads of clients complaining their luggage was ruined just because they forget that customs officials have the right to do what every they like!

 

[London Calling]

I travel all over the world on a regular basis and this is the first time I have ever come across anything like this....talk about paranoia or is it justified. I suppose one way of looking at it is that the moe thorough they are the safer we should be....what dya think ?

 

[kevin harrison]

I travel all over the world on a regular basis and this is the first time I have ever come across anything like this....talk about paranoia or is it justified. I suppose one way of looking at it is that the moe thorough they are the safer we should be....what dya think ?

Customs will check your bags. Last time we went, they didn't close our bag properly and some of our clothes were wet when we received them in Orlando. If you have suitcases with security codes it's sensible to not lock them either, they will break locks off....

I wouldn't say they are paranoid, at the end of the day the more security aware they are, the safer we are.

 

[paulh]

we use cable ties from uk to usa had no problems with tsa they cut them of and put new ones on just rember to put nail clipper in frount pocket we had hell of a time oppening then first time we did it
Paulh

 

[patdavies]

AFAIK, for international flights TSA only screen outbound luggage.

US Customs will screen inbound, but only after you have collected it from the baggage hall - this is what the white US Customs form is for.

 

[London Calling]

AFAIK, for international flights TSA only screen outbound luggage.

US Customs will screen inbound, but only after you have collected it from the baggage hall - this is what the white US Customs form is for.

Does this mean that it is on to lock them from gatwick and then open the locks after baggage hall ?

 

[MazdaUK]

I saw on the US customers site that it is OK to lock approved bags - e.g.l Samsonite. Does this also apply to combination locks? Do they have a magic unlocker?

Virgin doesn't endorse the "don't lock" advice, presumably because people complain about stuff going missing.

I usually try to make sure all souvenirs are in hand luggage for safety, but given the ammount of shopping I'm planning there will be a lot of stuff in the cases as well this trip



its an absolute blizzard here - can't wait to get to that Florida sun!!

 

[patdavies]

Does this mean that it is on to lock them from gatwick and then open the locks after baggage hall ?

If asked to open then, yes

For the ex-US flight, you can get TSA approved locks (probably cheaper in US - Wal-Mart). The TSA can open these and re-lock them.

 

[paulh]

would lock from uk to usa with tie wraps (thats sort of like what tsa put on if they open then) leave open from usa to uk as everyone will have them unlocked we still put tie wraps on then tas just cut them open if you have a non aproved lock on they use the universal oppener a cutter to screen bag
Paulh

 

[lagunn]

we have done the journey to and from orlando several times and have never locked our cases. and never had any problems by not locking them..
i do not understand why you feel the need to lock your suitcases.
if you do not put your valuables in the suitcases it should all be ok...

 

[lucy_love_]

if only the same could be said for our country

love

lucy

 

[trevorsem]

Best way around it is to cable tie all suitacases etc and put a nail clipper in one of the side pockets. Last time I opened a bag to discover a card saying they have checked the bag! Nice of them to cable tie it again though...

 

[ChildsPlayDG]

We didn't lock ours coming home and DD's had been searched when we got it as there was a note in it,they also hadn't shut it again after them.

 

[Grumpy John]

Have used cable ties for the past couple of years and have never experienced any problems. Only once has a case been opened and it was locked again with a TSA blue cable tie and a note was placed inside the case informing me of a search.

On returning last Sunday we had 2 cases and 2 holdalls. Both the holdalls had side pockets. When the luggage came out onto the carousel one of the holdall pockets had been ''looked into'' as right behind it was a small book and 2 pictures of my 10 month old grand daughter that had been placed into the pocket.

Obviously someone prior to the luggage coming out had thought that there may be something of value in the pockets.

THERE WAS.

The pictures of my grand daughter.

I wonder how many other people have had their luggage ''searched'' prior to it coming through the opening!!

 

[jockdog]

I used some TSA approved locks. They can be opened by the TSA and then re-locked again.

Try: http://magellans.co.uk/store/Comfort___Security___Locks__Alarms___Safety_DevicesSL927?Args=

 

[ely3857]

Hello,

Last time I was in Orlando I has 1 of my suitcases checked and it wasnt re-zipped properly and all my underwear fell out when I was walking away from the conveyor belt!

TIP: Always check you bag is secure to spare your blushes!

Ely3857

 

[Frances999]

We padlock our cases and I don't mind the TSA breaking the locks and opening the cases, but I wish they were a little more careful. I carefully package all of our bags prior to departure, and the one which the TSA had ripped into was in a frightful state, with a snowglobe I bought from Universal Studio's being broken. Next time I think I might put in a little note telling them they had better be careful!

 

[MazdaUK]

I have a samsonite case with a combination lock, which I wanted to use to bring back a special jacket a friend has requested from the Rainforest Cafe. The website says they can open Samsonite luggage, but does this include combination locks or only those with padlocks?

Sorry to be such a worrywart