padlocking suitcases

[lajones81]

I found this article on locks... http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1634.xml

 

[MazdaUK]

Yes I saw this, which is why I wondered about my samsonite!

 

[lajones81]

I'm not sure about the Samsonite locks, but a quick search online for "TSA approved locks" listed many options for your luggage.

 

[Darran]

Hi
we have samsonite cases we don't use the combination lock, only the normal locks.





Darran

 

[Claire L]

I always lock my Samsonite case, no rpoblems at all. A colleague at work used to work in lost luggage at LGW and says they knew all the tricks to open combination locks of lost suitcases to try and find owner details, so tend not to worry too much about locking. Anyway more worried about something exra being added than someone stealing a pair of my knickers!
Claire

 

[princess jackson]

In 2003, we locked all our cases with padlocks,(travel ones), they were okay going, but coming back we did the same, but when we collected our cases from the baggage claim belt our padlock was missing and cable tie had replaced it, inside they left the broken (hacksawed) padlock and letter explaining.

 

[MazdaUK]

Just back (and on the 5th load of washing) - locked Samsonite cases with keys and didn't use the combination locks at all. None of the cases were checked and all reached home safely.

 

[snookhams]

We bought some of the approved locks last year, although they were difficult to get hold of and not that cheap, but as we plan many more trips to US we thought it was worth the peace of mind. Some years ago when travelling with a large group of 40+ (booked through a works social club) several of the group discovered that items such as new clothes, perfumes, hair dyrers etc were missing from luggage and in one case one bag was completely wrecked, the luggage was transfered for us to the car -park on arrival at Orlando, we didn't have to collect it at all until we boarded the coach, can't remember though but I think that it was put into somesort of container for boarding onto the plane, so that it all stayed together, not a nice way to start your holiday though! DH now works in security at an airport and would recommend that you lock them!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We bought our approved TSA locks in the UK from this site
http://magellans.co.uk/cgi-bin/mitc/Comfort___Security___Locks__Alarms___Safety_DevicesSL432

Came in handy last year when we got home one of the cases had thge infamous note inside but all secured non the less

 

[Candy]

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

This also happend to me last october.underwear .dirty washing etc all over the conveyor belt.the worst part was i am not that tall so i had to climb on the belt to get to the back to pick up my underwear everyone was looking. i just kept telling myself i am not going to see these peaple again and they dont know me[thank god] I laugh about it now. but i for one will not lock my cases again.

 

[marv]

We didn't padlock any suitcases, we bought luggage straps and put these around them. Nothing went into the case that was valuble and i dont think our cases were searched.

 

[kristieuk]

In the last two years, I have been to the US four times, and every time I have arrived back in the UK, I have found that my suitcase has been opened and gone through. The first time, I had padlocked the bag, and this was sawn off (and returned to me on the top of my clothes!). Every occasion after that, I haven't bothered.

I completely understand the reasons, and I would sooner them be over cautious. I don't think they check every single item of luggage - they leave a card in the case to say if they been in there. Sometimes they have been through our golf bags, sometimes not.

Also - I think that only once they have re-secured the case with a cable tie. I think it's just luck of the draw, perhaps depends on the airport, I don't know.

My advice would be to leave off the locks, cable ties whatever, because if they want to search your case they will. If anyone wants to steal anything out of your case (touch wood this hasn't happened to me), a lock isn't going to stop them.

 

[snookhams]

I agree that if they want to steal something they will, but isn't it an insurance issue, there have been some discussions on wether you will be compensated on your travel insurance if you have not secured your case correctly i.e. locked it! I did not realise that you could buy the TSA approved locks in this country, I think I will pick up a couple more as we only managed to get 2 or 3 last year in Orlando, and the four of us take more suitcases than that!

 

[brer rabbit 28]

we used cable ties on our luggage going to and coming from sanford,they did get removed and searched on the return journey.apparently they are supposed to put a note in your case to say its been searched.

 

[~Piglet~]

A similar question appeared recently in the 'Sunday Times' travel Q & A, here is their (edited) reply:

In January 2003 the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) advised passengers travelling through American airports to leave cases unlocked, to assist airport screeners who might wish to search their bags. The policy caused an outcry from travellers concerned that unsecured baggage would leave their belongings vulnerable.

As a result the TSA relented and approved the use of selected locks to which staff hold master keys, allowing them to unlock any bags they need to inspect more closely.

You can find a list of acceptible locks on the TSA website www.tsa.gov but some british companies also stock them. www.outdooraccesories.co.uk offers two TSA approved Pacsafe locks. The prosafe 600 £3.25 and the prosafe 700 combination padlock £5.59, both prices include delivery. www.nomadtravel.co.uk offers the sturdier Eagle Creek combination padlock £7.49, plus delivery charge of £3.50.

I hope this is useful to you

 

[juliebro]

Just got back on Saturday - followed paulh's advice and used cable ties (keeping clippers in the side pocket as he recommended) on both journeys. We pointed it out to the check-in staff and to Security and they had no problems with it. On arrival both in the US and back in the UK, all ties were still in place.

Julie

 

[Manatee]

For Insurance claims if you have not locked your case you will not get paid out if anything goes missing. Last week we used cable ties, two of our bags were searched, one had a tie the other did not, the ones that were searched contained things like phone and camera chargers, and loads of the kids toys, Power Rangers etc, the cases with just clothes in were not touched.

 

[keziah]

Last year the padlock on one of our cases went missing on the return journey so this year we only locked them. One had a strap round it & it was twisted when we collected it, so it was obvious they'd been through it.

 

[angel659]

Hi

I get paranoid that someone would plant something in my suitcase and I would get blamed for it. Hence why I always padlock it. Do they have to tell you when they searched your baggage, as I dont think mine ever has been searched. Not that I recall anyway. I usually use the ones that come with the suitcases, although they are rubbish anything opens and closes those things.

 

[Karfy]

i was just wondering where they search your bags? after u have checked your bags into at the desk and it goes along the conveyabelty thing do they check the bags before they go onto the plane then, in the UK?

in the US do the check them between them coming off the plane & the conveyabelt?

do they check all bags or just a random few?

i have to keep medication with me and will put it in my bag with clothes and stuff so will go in the holdall...do the people who go through your bags have a problem with this, could this get me into trouble do u think?

sorry thats loads of questions! they all just splurged out....thanks Karfy xxxxxxxxx

p.s we havent been to US since 1995...we normally have to take a bag full of medical stuff anyway (for going on holiday) with anything for different problems, when that goes through the X ray thing, could that be a problem?