Seamus

Vic - as a civil servant, wouldn't you feel fairly certain that any inquiry would produce findings that of course they tried the master key but it didn't work?

Orlando_Vic

From my last post:

"Of course I wouldn’t contact the Senator over something so minor."

"I did not know that Travel Sentry locks are replaceable, free of charge, if cut off by TSA. This is probably what I’ll do. Thanks for the suggestion!"

Is everybody clear about what I meant?

ContPlat

Sorry if I run against the grain here, but TSA is the government, not the airline, so

They are prohibitted by the constitution from searching your bag without a warrent.

But, guess what? I haven't got the guts to be the test case and I am sure you don't either, so...

Use plastic cable ties and put a message on the outside of your bag asking that the seal be replaced after opening. Once in a hundred trips they may read it and then, maybe, honor it.

But, always lock your bag. Baggage handlers have not become more honest.

J62

Sorry to disagree ContPlat, but the constitution does not require a warrant. You're way off base here.

It protects against unreasonable search, not against any and all search. The right to search baggage is considered reasonable in the interest of safety, as is passing through metal detectors or putting carryons through x-ray.

suze

I never lock my checked luggage any more.

Sarvowinner

Cable ties so I know if my bag has been opened and I can check if anything is missing at the airport.

charsuzan

ContPlat

Wrong on the constitution. By checking your bags, you submit to search. You have the option of no search-no check no fly.

No test case needed.

georgewoodie

Why put a lock on luggage?

Well, I have Delsey hard side luggage. The luggage locked or not, spring open when the cases are rough handled or hit.

Not only mine but I have seen this on others as well.

I use a TSA belt lock through the handle mostly to be sure that my contents are not spilled all over the airport or elsewhere.

If that belt is cut, I am cooked.

Woodie

AnthonyGA

Since you have to let TSA inspect the bag, and since they are the most likely to steal its contents, there's not much point in putting a lock on luggage. Just try not to put anything in your luggage that might appeal to someone who can't read or write, or anything that's easy to fence.

A_Traveller

I disagree with AnthonyGA - the TSA Agents are NOT the most likely persons to steal the contents of checked luggage. I'm not trying to disparage anybody but there are a lot more airline employees who routinely handle baggage than TSA Agents. Once the bags are inspected "control" passes to the airline baggage handlers both for loading and off-loading - plenty of time for unscrupulus people to remove contents from a bag - they also have access to "bolt cutters" so don't just blame only the TSA agents.

Moral of the sory is the same, however - don't put anything of great value in your checked luggage.