TSA approved locks

[barry7767]

Well, we caved in and bought two for our recent trip. I understand there has been extra security recently, but it was stated this only applied to hand luggage and no extra checks were being made to hold luggage. Anyway, when we arrived in Sanford, low and behold our TSA lock had been cut off one of our cases. Whilst the lock itself only cost £3 (£6 for 2) it is the principle of the thing that annoys me. Also the fact that the case has been damaged as the loops where the lock goes through on the zip have been cut. Anyone experienced this before? Anyone know how to claim and who from? (TSA - Travel insurance?) Thanks in advance

 

[jna]

I can appreciate your annoyance. Whether or not to leave the actual luggage locks open and use TSA locks on outbound flights has recently been discussed on the forum. Some people do use them on both flights, but I can only assume that the security people in London either don't have the skeleton key as supplied to the USA authorities or just couldn't give a damn.

I was going to put TSA straps on two hard cases on the outbound flight. Now I wonder if that is the right thing to do.

I have to say that there should be much better guidance to the travelling public. It is an important aspect of travel now.

As for a claim for damage to luggage, I think you have to file the report before leaving the airport. I know that a few years back I had to do just that after two cases out of three were punctured on a Virgin flight from MCO. The response was very good, and we had two Delseys delivered to our home fairly soon after by Virgin.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Been there, done that, posted here... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1105598&referrerid=93883

I could be wrong, but your travel insurance is likely to have an excess (of £50/£100) - so (unless you paid extra for an excess waiver) you will have no luck there. I think that you will find that the TSA have the right to open any piece of baggage, however they see fit (yes they SHOULD open the TSA locks with the key/combination provided, but they don't have to).

The thing I find odd is that the TSA locks were cut "on the way" to Sanford: normally TSA only search baggage going onto flights departing/within the US... IF the case was searched in the UK, then it is NOT the TSA that are searching it (the TSA are a US only agency). So if it was British Airport Security searching your baggage, they wouldn't have access to the TSA lock key/combination... (and would HAVE to cut it off to search your bag).

I think that you just have to swallow the £3 and realise that these things happen (and are very likely to happen again)... You do have the choice either not to lock your case OR to use zip ties, but there is a good chance that the contents of your case will not be covered by your insurer if you don't lock it...

Boo

 

[snookhams]

We flew to Sanford on the 5th August and home again last Saturday we used our TSA locks on both the outbound and inward journey. Outbound all OK when we arrived inbound we had quite a wait at the carousel at Gatwick for the luggage and as we stood there, numerous cases passed us that had either been forced open or had broken during the flight!!! one in particular I have no idea how the contents had not spilled out as it came onto the carousel - I stood and thought thank goodness we invested in these locks a couple of years ago (bought them at Target in 2002) When we got home and unpacked the last case we unpacked had a slip of paper in it from the TSA saying they had opened it - did not have any idea that this had happened as it had been locked up again.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Whenever I've had a checked bag searched by the TSA, they've used their key. There's also always a slip of paper inside the bag indicating a TSA search was performed. I must have suspecious-looking luggage, because at least one of my bags seems to get searched every time I fly.

Because you were flying internationally, I suspect it was someone other than the TSA. I'm not sure if U.S. Customs has the keys to those locks or not. Typically for a Customs inspection, though, they have you open the bag in front of them.

Perhaps a security check at your home airport? Was anything missing? It's also not completely unheard of for a dishonest baggage handler to go through a bag.

 

[Lisa1976]

To be honest (and this is just my opinion), I don't see the point in putting locks on our suitcases as we never put anything of value in our hold luggage and if someone feels the need to steal my clothes, underwear and toiletries (sp?) then let them be that petty.

We normally put the plastic cable ties through the zip loops and thats it.

 

[gismo1554]

TSA I'm fairly sure can open any cases and do have the right to break locks. Last time I was told that it was standard procedure to break them open on the way back and it was best not to use them as the security don't have the key to open them. I dunno how true that is but I never both with them. In this day and age if things are going to go missing they will so I just let it happen.

 

[snookhams]

The case they search had been opened and re-locked and I had no idea it had even been looked in until I came to unpack it. I suspect it was checked because it contained a large pot of my sons herbal medication but they certainly had not delved too deep as it was pretty much as I had packed it!!!

 

[rpbert1]

we used TSA locks going and coming back.
Our cases coming back had been opened and searched and locked again, only problem we had was my DW had bought quite a lot of beauty products and they had opened them to check the contents, but they failed to put all the lids back on tight and had creams and other stuff spilt over our clothes

 

[Amyrlin]

TSA locks are for US security, if the locks were cut off then it is highly likely this was done before you left on the flight to the US. UK secuty do not use the TSA system, so will cut off locks if they feel the need to look in luggage.

 

[Laurafoster]

I used TSA locks on both ways last time - although i did not take anything worth stealing to be honest. However when i got home from the holiday and opened my case to unpack i had a note from US security saying they had opened my case for a routine check and relocked the TSA lock. Had it not been for te note i wouldnt have even noticed.

 

[barry7767]

Thanks for the info - There was an announcement at Sanford which stated that in light of increased security, bags were being screened again at that end. It would therefore be impossible to deduct who cut the lock off - Manchester or Sanford. I agree it should be clearer as to who recognises these locks, and surely all airports should now have the facility to remove these locks without cutting them. One other point is that although it has been stated that people do not lock their cases as they do not place items of value in them, in these past weeks cameras, camcorders, ipods etc all had to be checked. We only took a digi camera, but would not have liked to have left the case unopened, despite the flimsyness of the locks.

 

[gismo1554]

The trouble is if all airports had the ability to take off the locks then there would be more chance of people being able to get the keys and just steal stuff anyway.

I agree that placing cameras ect in the cases unlocked isn't ideal but I don't feel its any safer with locks. If someone is going to go to the effort of stealing your case they will whether you place something in it or not.

 

[Steve and Sarah]

The lock cutting phenomena is no new thing.

The cut off mine about 3 years ago out of LAX to Heathrow - they just seem to break them open when they see fit.

We don't bother with locks any more as it doesn't seem worth bothering.

Steve and Sarah