Checked luggage and TSA
 

Has anyone had any experience with using the new TSA approved locks on their checked luggage? We used two during the last trip to Spain. One made it, the second was damaged by TSA and not useable on the return trip.

There is absolutely no problem with locking your bags when flying from Europe to the States and with the incidents of thief of items from unlocked luggage by TSA employees reported in the NY Times yesterday, I would highly recommend them. A locked bag won't deter someone if they want something, but it may give them second thoughts.

In May we flew from Houston to London via DFW and used TSA locks. When we arrived in the UK there was a note in my suitcase saying that the TSA had opened it, but the lock was still intact. No problems on the return flights either.

>...A locked bag won't deter someone if they want something, but it may give them second thoughts.<

You get the same result from cable ties.

Cable ties are nice, and simple, but offer no protection, which is why they approved the use of the locks in the first place. Something to give us a sense security for our personal items, even if they are only a pair of dirty socks. Also, there was no note from TSA indicating that they had checked anything in the luggage with TSA approved lock that was damaged, which just leads me to believe that the process is still not working very well nearly three years after TSA was formed.

What else is not working?

I wanted to buy my "TSA" approved luggage locks today and I called Target to make sure they have some in stock.

The yough lady they connected me to in the luggage department said she had never heard of them but would check anyway.

She came back and said she didn't see any that said anything about TSA on them and I find that a little hard to believe.

I might stop in there anyway, (but with blinders on because I can't possibly afford to buy another thing for this trip...wellll. :) ) to check the locks out and then go to Walmart and see what they have.

But before I run all over town does anyone know what brands I should be looking for? Do TSA approved locks always say TSA approved on the package?

Hi P,

You get the same level of protection (nil) from cable ties at a much lower price.

Bring nail clippers to open the ties.

After you get your luggage back, put your usual little locks on it.

We used TSA-approved locks this summer to and from Europe. Excuse the pun, but it's a mixed bag. Two of our suitcases arrived with the locks missing and no note of explalnation from the TSA. The other two bags arrived with the locks intact.

All you can do is hope for the best, and, of course, not pack anything of serious value in your suitcases.

Why don't you call your local AAA store. They may be on top of things like TSA approved locks. I don't believe you have to be a member to purchase their travel accessories.

For locks try: http://www.magellans.com/

I agree with Ira about using cable ties. They are so simple to attach and detach with nail clippers. Had no problems with them on a checked luggage from San Francisco to Paris and return. The ties were intact on both flights.

Nothing you check in is protected in my opinion and all valuables I never check in anyway.

count me in with ira and francophile...

i used plastic cable lock ties this past trip, worked like a charm. i could tell no one had been in my luggage because the ties were still in place (remove them with nail clippers).

i think you're fooling yourself if you think some type of little suitcase lock will keep an airline employed thief out of your bag. if anything wouldn't a fancy-locked expensive suitcase be more appealing to rummage thru then my cheap one with its plastic ties!

I used ties with mixed results. Sometimes they are replaced and sometimes they are not, and sometimes they are replaced but badly so that the suitcase is no longer secured. But I always wonder what the machine saw for them to open the suitcase.

"...no longer secured" from what? or who? The point I was trying to make is in this day & age we might as well consider our suitcase contents available for scruitiny & pack accordingly.

If you have a "sense of security" about personal items, you are quite possibly mistaken. Yes someone may look at your dirty socks.

Just got back from the stores.

Didn't see any cable ties so I just got the locks. I really don't expect them (or any other locking system) to keep out thieves. But why make it any easier for them.

As usual, I had to do my detail/fact checking. Target DID have TSA approved locks.

If anyone cares, they are called Travel Sentry Certified Luggage Lock by Embark.

Of course I couldn't resist looking around at the other travel stuff and ended up buying 2 bright orange luggage ID tags, a mini lint brush and a 3 pack of those Pack Mates. (Plastic bags that are waterproof and help you cram more stuff in your suitcase. :) )

I'm off to try them out, I'll let you know how they work.

I didn't realize that the ties would be replaced if security opened up your bags. I didn't expect them to do that anyway. Even if my suitcase got stolen or lost, I would not be happy for sure, but the contents can be replaced even if it's with a bit of inconvenience.

The opportunistic pilferer will take what he thinks may be used or sold elsewhere, and the items need not be that valuable. For example, I always put my pocket knife in my suitcase because it could not be taken on the board even before 9/11. I do not wish to lose and replace a $50 knife.

PLMN- you find plastic cable ties in the hardware section, not the travel section. And those Packmates may enable you to cram more stuff in your suitcase in less space, but that just makes it even heavier! The goal in packing is NOT to put as much as possible in your suitcase, try to remember that.

Point well taken suze. :)

Thank goodness there are wheels on the darn thing.

Going next door soon to use a scale.

Good advice Suze. Another great reason not to overpack is that some European hotels either do not have elevators or the elevators begin on the 1st floor. And don't forget trains-you have to lug your luggage up those tiny steps leading to the car. Learned this the hard way! :)

Sure there are wheels but that doesn't help you (as francophile kindly mentions above) - getting the suitcase out of your house in the first place, into the airport, off the luggage carousels, up those steep tiny stairs onto a train, possibly even up several flights of stairs at a hotel.

I'm harping on this particularly because I used a 24" for the first time last month (instead of my usual 22") and it was too heavy for my taste... and I only went to one destination.

For Michael, I understand your sentiments about your knife. That's why I don't take anything except clothing and shoes in my suitcase these days.

I've used hardware store cable ties (cheap!!) with no problem, but I don't pack much of interest in checked baggage. If I had anything that I was worried about, I might get those numbered plastic fasteners from Travelsmith or Magellan. They are more expensive, but since they are numbered, you have evidence that the bag was indeed opened.

I was told by a security person that the inspectors do indeed have cableties, and will put them on a bag if they have to cut the ones you placed there off. So in this case you might not have any evidence that the bag was opened.

To continue, a heavy suitcase will not only give you backache but it will also change your disposition! Believe me, it's happened to us.

The first time we traveled after the luggage locking rules changed, I bought the little cable ties. Now I just ask the guys at the airport to do it .. there has never been a problem. Just remember the nail clippers to get them off! I keep those in a little ziplock bag in one of the outside pockets .

Oh..my...gosh...!

These special plastic bags are incredible!!

I know, I know...doen't use this for an excuse to pack MORE ;)

HOWEVER, They are allowing me to be much neater and they have enabled me to figure out my priorities as to what to pack in my carry on and what to put in the main suitcase. (It is only a 22 incher.) (Not very deep these things.)

I just keep thinking to myself...if the bag and contents go missing what would I be the most annoyed at loosing?

So now I put the travel hairdryer and travel iron in my little carry-on along with at least 1 entire change of clothes. In the same bag will go the make-up and other toiletries, as well as the pocketbook section for tickets and etc.

I will use the back-pack for the travel books, pens, assorted other little items and my regular pocketbook.

I have to walk around the house for a bit with these 3 bags to get an idea as to if I have over done it.

So now it looks like I will only have these three bags :)

Suze--since we try to picnic our way through Europe, a knife is essential.

ddgatina--the cable ties of TSA are identifiable as such.

Michael, Me too! But lately I pick up an inexpensive knife when I'm there and leave it behind. Sadly, my wonderful Swiss army knife stays safely at home.

PLMN- you never told us how much your suitcase weighs after you borrowed a scale yesterday??

Also I'm not sure about taking electrical stuff thru security & airport x-rays... anyone else know?

I bought some TSA combinationa locks that have a red/green window on them. If someone has gotten into the lock, it turns red. You can return it to green yourself. TSA is supposed to leave a note but obviously they don't always do it. I always check the red/green window when I pick up the baggage. Have never had red, but if I did I would certainly check for a TSA note and then report it if one is missing. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I got the locks, but it was through an Internet search.

Hi suze, haven't gotten to the scale yet. I still plan on it.

But I asked my husband what he thought it weighed and he tried to guess. He said if he could bench press it or jerk it over his head it should be okay. He did it and said he thought it was no more than 45 pounds.

I REALLY need to get that scale :)

I'll let you know, I'm curious myself.

Okay suze.

I bought the scale and the news is good: only 31 pounds so far! Amazing how hard it is to judge weight. We won't go into how much I weighed :(

(I also weighed one of the carry-ons and it was 13.5 pounds. I only have some make-up left to pack in it.)

Thanks for the update. I wish I had actually weighed my own too-heavy suitcase from my trip last month, so I'd have a self-imposed limit for the future!

Topping the locks thread. People do use the TSA-approved locks with mixed results. And new reports on this?

Topping this again. I travel to AMS on Monday and it seems after reading these threads that using TSA locks (or even any other) is just a crapshoot as far as protecting your stuff. Should I even bother?

I wouldn't put anything valuable in a checked bag, period. If you do this correctly, you won't have any bags to check, in my opinion.

for aggiemom

I consider my suitcase an "open book" so to speak. I never put anything valuable in it. I use a twist tie or plastic cable threaded device only to keep zippers from popping open.

Robespierre, people check the luggage in for different reasons. For example, sprays are not allowed as carry-ons.

What if a woman absolutely can't manage her hair without it, and the flight lands in the evening when it's no time to buy it?

Well, I'm not going to bother. I read an Op-Ed piece in the NY Times about theft from locked bags by TSA personnel, so to me, it's just calling attention to your bag, which they're going to look through if they want to anyway. But that's just my opinion...you have to decide for yourself.