USA visit/locks query?
 

Have been reading a lot of different posts to get the feel of this forum thing and have noticed people mentioning locking/not locking your suitcases on entering the USA. Whats all that about? Am visiting USA from europe in sept do I have to leave my case open for security to search it when its out of my sight? that sounds a recipe for problems.

I'd recommend a TSA approved lock which I was able to get in London for an extra suitcase I got while there so maybe they're available in other places. (Got mine in Harrod's) I had a connection after arriving in the US so I didn't want the bag unlocked for the rest of the trip.

The issue isn't about entering the USA, but about boarding a plane traveling to, from and within the US.

If you use a regular lock, it may be removed during security check at the originating airport, even before it gets on the plane.

And of course, they will have to use "some force" to remove that lock, and you don't know what else - zippers, handles - will be gone too...

I read that there are newer locks (TSA approved) that the airport security can open with a master key. They have one key that opens all of the locks, but the locks come with different keys that are specific to that lock.

Even with that, the odds that the lock would be re-locked after security does their check probably isn't that high, so you'd end up with an unlocked case anyway.

My rule of thumb is don't put anything in the checked luggage that you can't afford to have stolen, broken, etc. What I consider irreplaceable as I'm headed on my trip is usually different than what is irreplaceable on my return. I only use the suitcase locks while at the hotels, etc.

Just a bit to add to this

About 5 years ago I landed at Heathrow and only realised that my key for my samsonite was on the keyring that I had left with my wife after she had dropped me at the airport.

I used some lateral thinking and went up to the customs guys and said what had happened and could they open my case for me. Of course they could as they have master keys for most major brands of locks and suitcases.

So to cut a story short, I believe authorities at airports do carry master keys to get onto cases, whether stamped TSA approved or not.

They may have the key(s), but I could tell you right now that there is no way in hell that TSA agent is going to try every key in their arsenal. If it's not approved and one key opens all the locks, your lock will get cut when and if they decide they need a closer look.....with thousands of pieces of luggage they don't try keys as the day goes on....


That said, the TSA approved locks are a waste of money. If you really feel more secure locking your luggage when traveling within or from US, get bunch of cable ties, and use that instead. TSA is pretty good about replacing a cable tie if and when they need to take a closer look.

OTOH, the one advice above is really the one that should be adhered to. Don't pack anything that you can't afford to loose in the checked in luggage. No locks necessary....:-D

Have a great trip!

<i>TSA is pretty good about replacing a cable tie if and when they need to take a closer look.</i>

Yeah, except for the one they ripped (not cut) off my bag last month, breaking the zipper in the process. :(

I didn't say they were perfect.....:-D

In fact it's one government agency that should disappear.

If there's a TSA lock on your bags, and a thieving baggage handler working in an airport has 10 bags to choose frum with 3 of them having TSA locks, which bags would you think he'd pick to go through &amp; steal from?

For a couple dollars, I think it's worth it.

Many thanks for all your imput/advice, am travelling from UK, and with this latest security scare not sure hand luggage will be allowed, had planned to travel light with a much smaller case, but the things we were going to put in hand luggage (i.e. our new camcorder/books things to make flight more comfortable) may now have to go into the hold luggage, or failing that we should maybe not take the camcorder, which is a shame as we hoped to film the finger lakes/ Niagara/Pennsylvania etc. Oh well, its better to be safe than sorry, so will follow the airport rules re problems because of these new terror threats.....glad they foiled the buggers this time!!!

I agree, but that's why I said that the cable ties are a good alternative if it makes you feel better.

Me? I just pack my clothes and toiletries in the checked luggage (and only when I have to check luggage) so I don't use locks/ties and so far nobody stole my dirty underwear.....:-D

Ann, I would never put something like a camcorder in checked luggage. Disregarding theft, there are just way too many opportunities for it to break along the way. Bags fall off the luggage carts on the tarmac, handlers toss them around, security may use a stick or rod to adjust your belongings in your suitcase if the xray isn't clear, etc. And what is worse, not bringing it or bringing it only to find it's broken when you get there. If it can't fit in your carry-on, then I wouldn't risk taking it.

Take a good look at your luggage and you will no doubt find that the zippers and latches are so flimsy that any thief could easily break in, no matter how strong a lock you use. My recommendation is that you find a way to secure the luggage against accidental opening if it is handled roughly. Cable ties, or even the twisties that are used to fasten a plastic bag are sufficient for this purpose. A strap that goes around the luggage is also useful; get one in a unique color to make it easy to recognize your bag on the carrousel.

You can certainly bring a camcorder, but it should be in your carryon bag, which is much less susceptible to theft.

I meant to add, but got rushed...

In your current situation, you might consider mailing the camcorder to your hotel. Insure it and require a signature and have it waiting for you when you get there. Then do the same for the trip home. Unless you have to overnight it, the cost should be less than having to buy a new camera.

Clevelandbrown,

Her current situation is that she can't take ANY carry-on out of the UK. They are in high-security mode from a recent arrest. So, she's kind of stuck...

I take a handful of cable ties, preferably in bright colors, or in a pinch a bunch of twist-ties. Of course they're easy enough to break, but they are a decent flag to let me know if the bag's been opened or tampered with -- so I use them for flights (esp. with connections) and in hotel rooms when I'm away for a while. No, of course I don't leave serious valuables in luggage, but if there's damage or anything missing, I can pinpoint when/where and maybe who, etc.

Was helpful with claim against airline when someone helped themself to a jacket and sweater during a long layover once.

Thanks for imput, now this could be an english/ american difference with the language, but what is cableties? do you mean some sort of cord to tie around my luggage instead of locking it and from what you are saying most of you dont bother to lock luggage going into the hold. And yes it looks like nothing allowed re carry on. Am a positive person so will try and find a way to pack my camcorder and hope for the best. Anyway those buggers are not going to stop this Britisher from visiiting my amercian cousins, We've coped with the IRA/WW1 &amp; 11 etc, etc, and plan to have a great holiday. As an after though we visited Florida a couple of years ago when all the hurricanes where hammering it and boy was it quiet, Disney world/Epcot where practically empty.. It's a shame people stop travelling when distaters happen, again this is what terrorists want, to frighten us into staying home, well no can do.. so see ya all in September, Ya have nice day now!!!

Cable ties http://tinyurl.com/qpgq6

They're small, plastic single use ties that you can thread through the zippers and cut off once you reach your destination. You can usually find them in hardware stores.

I prefer to use a TSA combination lock.

Check in the electrical section of your hardware store - they use them to bind multiple cables together to prevent &quot;rats nests&quot; of wires.

I would suggest using cableties to attach the camcorder to the inside of your bag. It will help keep it secure during the transport and help it stay in the bag if they do a physical search (a bit harder to claim that it got missed when things went back in). You might even consider taking a snapshot of your bag with all the contents before your flight - just in case.

That's a great idea about taking a pic of the suitcase &amp; also about securing the camera in the suitcase.

Another option for transporting the camcorder and any other high-value items, if they can no longer be taken in the plane as carryons, would be to securely pack them and ship them over to the US via FedEx. It costs money, yes, but the package could be insured and you'd have a tracking number, so you'd be less likely to have the items go permanently missing than if you packed them into a checked suitcase.

While your checked luggage must be openable for inspection out of your sight, in the US, TSA leaves a note inside advising you that it was opened, and from my experience, such openings are very rare. I think they rely more on x-ray and chemical sniffers than on actual searches.

I think since you cannot stop a determined thief, all you can do is secure your luggage against opening during rough handling. Twist ties are sufficient, and can be removed easily. Cable ties are also good, but you have to have some way to cut them to get them off, and the pocket knife in your checked luggage won't do. A fingernail clipper will work.

For hard shell luggage, I use a nylon strap that goes around the bag and through the handle. These are sold at luggage stores and often, for far less, at general merchants. They have a buckle assembly so they are easy to remove, and given the right color, they can make it easy to spot your luggage when they unload it. In fact, my wife boards early and watches out the window to see that they load our luggage, as she worries about it getting on the wrong plane.

I hope they come up with better procedures soon. Some of the banned items, such as contact lens solution and eye and nose drops, are often needed during the flight.

Carrybean,

I thought of it after I suggested shipping the camcorder. That reminded me of when I had to send in a camera for repair - I took a photo of it at all angles, of it being packed, and of the sealed box with the mailing info. When I got notice that they wouldn't repair it under warranty, I was very nice but explained that I had done nothing to cause the problem and had photos of the camera showing its pristine condition. They repaired it under warranty for me without another word. It can really help if there's a problem.

I haven't tried the securing bit, but I will on my next trip - I may have everything tied down... cableties attaching my undies to the suitcase, etc. :)

I'm off to Brisbane on Sunday and am having to pack quite a few expensive household items (All-Clad pans, small electronics, etc) as we are furnishing our second home, and prices for these are way better in the US.

Anyway - I have every intention of listing each item, and recording on film my packed bag, along with a newpaper showing the date. I might even include a note stating that I have done as much.

Paranoid? You bet.
I'll be opening that bag 2 minutes off the belt.
Even with insurance, I'd rather have the documentation for my own peace of mind.

Trust, but verify.
Cheers!

Good for you, Toedtoes. That was really smart.

Carrybean, even with the photos, I never would have gotten it fixed under warranty if I hadn't been extremely polite and understanding of the company's side of things. I explained that I took the photos in case the shipping company damaged the package, not because I didn't trust the camera company. They explained that it was a courtesy repair and they wouldn't do it again and I said I completely understood.