Flying to the US - Suitcase Security

C

Coyote

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Hi, I'm going to Chicago in November for a few days, was reading about the security measures adopted by US airports (run by the T.S.A.), apparently you should leave your suitcases unlocked now - as they will break open the lock should your case be randomly picked for inspection or indeed the x-ray machine shows up something suspect. I don't particularly want the locks broken on our suitcases but I'm not too keen about leaving them unlocked either. I've also read a lot of reports about the increasing number of thefts from suitcases (Joe Sharkey - travel journalist with the NY Times), apparently at least 20 airline security staff have been sacked already for stealing stuff from people's bags. There's a special lock you can buy online from the states which is TSA approved, they hold the master keys so can open your case without damaging locks but this lock won't work with a hardcased suitcase. Anyone know if you can buy (and where from) extra long cable ties which we could wrap around the suitcase? Also, has anyone come across this problem flying to the States - was your suitcase opened and checked? Was your lock broken? Maybe it's more of a problem if you're flying within the U.S?
 
Hi,

My family and I had my suitcases checked by security in Chicago O'Hare on the way home just after Christams and we had no problems whatsoever. It was all carried out in front of us when we checked in and everything was handled with care.
 
I had a small lock broken off my Sampsonite trolley on the way back from the US some time back
 
Why not just use cable ties. They are strong enough to deter some people as well.

I mean I know they can be cut, but a crappy suticase lock can be broken easily as well.
 
suitcases

Travelled to New York in March. My suitcase was searched in Dublin and JFK. In Dublin they seemed to be pulling people out of the check-in queue randomly, although it seemed to be mainly people travelling on their own. Both times the suitcase was searched in front of me and it wasn't locked.

I think you will definitely need to be prepared to have your luggage searched as security is very tight going into the US.
 
suitcases

I just came back from the states last week - if you give yourself plenty of time you can watch as they check your cases.
Once you check in, you get your luggage tag (normal process). You then bring your cases over to the security desk, usually right beside the check-in desks. You can stand there and wait while they x-ray the bags -once they're cleared you can then lock them again.
 
Can I resurrect this thread to save starting a new one? For years I locked my suitcases when travelling but was told recently that it was better to leave them unlocked as the locked ones are the ones that are broken into - I don't mean opened for security purposes. Any views? Thanks
 
You can get the TSA approved locks if you want, but they some times still break them open as opposed to using the so-called 'master-key'. Bottom line is just to leave them unlocked and don't put anything valuable in them. The pilfering isn't exclusive to airline employees, TSA agents have been at it as well too!

[broken link removed]
 
pat127 said:
Can I resurrect this thread to save starting a new one? For years I locked my suitcases when travelling but was told recently that it was better to leave them unlocked as the locked ones are the ones that are broken into - I don't mean opened for security purposes. Any views? Thanks
Click to expand...


Yeah, I had some new clothes and a new watch stolen from my checked luggage on a flight from Chicago to Las Vegas recently. Filled out a form with the airline but never got a reply.
 
Its ironic isn't it! They want us to check everything in, give us a crappy carry-on allowance and then have our checked in bags stolen from!
 
When travelling back from NewYork (Newark) last year I refused point blank to leave my suitcase unlocked. I told them that if it was left unlocked any slight knock to it would make it fly wide open and all my belongings would just fall out. Its a combo lock/key lock on the case itself. They wanted me to leave both of these open. I couldnt fit one of these new TSA approved locks to it, and its a new style suitcase too !!!

So some Big Security agent in Newark pulled me aside and asked what the problem was, i explained and he then said, thats ok just tell me the combination and if we need to open it he would have it then...

Was never opened in the end.. The lock on my mothers case was cut open however....

as far as i know you can buy these TSA approved locks in most bag shops now.
 
We'd a suitcase lock cut off our suitcases flying from Orlando, the searching is done out of sight (after you've booked your bags in), suitcase was left open for rest of trip and mangled lock was taped to a card and put back into the case.
More of a concern to me is that if items are pilfered from my cases will my insurance cover the loss if I leave a hardcase open so that it can be checked?
 
In the cae of trying to secure a case that will burst open without a lock I'd recommend using cable ties. These can be cut if your bag needs to be searched and is no serious loss to you if it happens
 
Thanks for all the replies. A few times lately I've been fastening the zips together with the twist-ties that are used to secure the power cables in new appliances.
 
You can buy these TSA locks from the luggage shop in Nutgrove shopping centre.
They cost €9.50 each so I got two last week as am off to Boston soon. Was told by the shop that they will simply cut the zippers off if they can't get access to the luggage / case
 
I flew out of both LAX and Chicago O'Hare in the last 8 months and while I can't speak for other USA airports, they screen your luggage through x-ray there and then in front of you and they will ask you to open the suitcase if they have any queries. This takes place after check-in.

In both intances, the cases were locked and there was no problem
 
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