Lisa

Leaving for Puerto Rico next week on American Airlines out of Boston. Does anyone know if the new locked luggage guidelines in the news today mean that I cannot lock my checked luggage?

michelle

I'm pretty sure that's correct. I hate that people can dig through my bag without my being there!! Something not good about that at all.

x

I went back and read the article on CNN.com again and from what I can read they want people to stop putting locks on luggage starting now.

Deborah

Traveling twice during the holiday, I was asked to leave my luggage unlocked on the way out and was ok to lock on way back. <BR><BR>You only need to leave it unlocked if you come up as a &quot;random&quot; search or if they ask you for some other reason.

GM

While watching the news on this issue, the official at JFK noted that folks who Security wants to check who have locked luggage, will be requested to unlock the luggage with the owner present. Hope that still holds true when we go away in a couple months...

nlou

After flying this past week, here is my input. From our local smaller airport (Norfolk VA) they do the explosive testing of your luggage as you check in. Norfolk was one of the first locations to perform the testing on all checked luggeage. So when they complete the process, before you leave the area, they asked if I wanted to put locks on my luggage. <BR>In Miami (I have no idea what they do inside of the airport process.) they didn't ask or appear to look if it was locked. I would check with your local airport and find out what their process is--it appears to vary from location to location.

Mary

My locks got cut off -- I don't think it was anyone trying to steal anything because not a thing was missing. Had to be Customs or Immigration. I flew from DC to St. Martin via San Juan on American.

D

Did they warn you at the airport before cutting your locks off?

xxxx

If you lock it, they'll break the lock if necessary. All luggage is subject to inspection with or without you. They even warn against food (chocolate and cheeses was one example)that can set off dectectors for a thorough search. <BR>Too bad that they don't do background checks and restrict entrance by ground crew, maintainence and all the others that are in the sterile areas. This is a &quot;feel good&quot; measure to make passengers think we are secure. Do they even check the cargo? or the mail they carry? Nope!

joan

My husband uses cable ties on our luggage. Most luggage locks are easy to pick anyway, so this way you know if someone's been in your luggage, and you can check into it before you leave the airport.

Steve

<BR>I can't believe that this &quot;security&quot; measure will last long. Can you imagine landing is a third-world country with no locks on your bags. It will be a shop-till-they-drop on baggage long before it ever comes down the conveyor belt to you in the terminal. When the airlines start to pay huge recurring bills for missing and stolen items, then the system will probably change again.<BR><BR>I worked my way thru university working on an airport ramp, and I can tell you that unfortunately theft does happen, even at the best of times. Unlocked luggage will only increase the temptation and not provide one iota of additional protection to passengers.<BR><BR>I wonder what bureaucrat thought this one up. Can't wait to see how many things people now try to bring on board as carry-on. As if the whole carry-on issue wasn't bad enough already.<BR><BR>Oh well..... Hedonism and nudity. No bags required. <BR><BR>Steve

Lisa

Thanks for the information. Tge local news story I saw really did not make it very clear what is expected.<BR><BR>Is &quot;putting locks on&quot; the same as simply locking the suitcase which is already on the suitcase? I usually put luggage straps around my suitcases. Do the new rules also mean I can no longer do that? <BR><BR> <BR><BR>

I Wonder

Steve, is Canada a third world country? IF you worked on a ramp there and theft occured, why say that a third world county would do that, when you know it happens at every airport most everywhere? Mine were ripped open in Miami! Maybe that's third world too!

Kim

To I Wonder: Steve is just a bithering idiot..his previous posts on this forum have suggested that...so I am not in the least bit surprised at such immature, non-sensical comments. Seems to be his trademarks.

xxx

get used to it. it's gonna last. gotta keep all those new employees working. If you've traveled in Europe and other countries, what we go through is nothing. Can't hardly wait to hear the moans and groans as stuff goes missing and the airlines have no responsibility for your missing things. There is insurance for luggage available - get it - and be prepared to prove that the missing things were really in your bag.

Steve

<BR>To: I wonder<BR>I stand corrected. You are right that it can happen anywhere. FYI, I worked for CARA Foods at YYZ servicing on-board galleys.<BR><BR>Message to Kim:<BR><BR>I presume you meant blithering, the intransitive verb of blather. &quot;bithering&quot; isn't a real word.<BR>And &quot;non-sensical&quot; (sic) must be another one of your made up words. Could you have possibly meant non-sensible or or the noun nonsense?<BR><BR>Sigh..... I guess those that matter don't mind, but those that mind, don't matter.<BR><BR>S.

Kim

Steve<BR><BR>I am sure it has happened to you - every once in a while you come across a comment on this board that is so utterly ridiculous that you just have to let the poster have it...well that that's how I felt when I read your post this morning. So apologies for typos, bad grammar etc but I beleive my point was made and message served it purpose. Have a nice day!!!

xxx

This shopuldn't turn into an argument of nint pickers. Let's get back to the poster's original question. <BR><BR>Does anyone have any information on whether or not luggage must be left unlocked now? Is there a distinction in the new restrictions between types of locks on suitcases?

Steve

<BR>Kim:<BR><BR>I fail to see how my original post could be classified &quot;so utterly ridiculous that you just have to let the poster have it&quot;<BR><BR>Unlocked bags must surely lead to more theft from baggage. Human nature being what it is.<BR><BR>More theft will then lead to more people trying to bring their stuff on-board the aircraft as carry-on. Again, that is human nature. Who wants to risk having their stuff stolen? And if you are a regular traveller, then you must have experienced the oft-nightmare situation of excess cabin baggage.<BR><BR>Yes, I was wrong to presume that only &quot;third-world&quot; countries will have a theft problem. That assumption could be construed as arrogant on my part. For that I apologize. I mentioned to &quot;I Wonder&quot; that I stood corrected on that point.<BR><BR>So lighten up a little. As you noted, I often contribute to these discussions, and I never take the &quot;out&quot; of using [email protected] for my name. I use the same moniker all the time except as I have shortened it here. So people will know who I am. If you believe my &quot;trademark&quot; to be (&quot;immature, non-sensical comments. Seems to be his trademarks&quot then that of course is your opinion and you are entitled to it. But why attack me personally. I expressed a viewpoint, nothing more nor less. &quot;I Wonder&quot; made his counterpoint without stooping to a personal attack. You might do well to follow his example.<BR><BR>enough said.<BR><BR>Steve

Kim

Steve:<BR>It has become painfully obvious that you are an idiot. Quit while you're behind. Have a nice day!!!<BR><BR>