Locking a checked bag at CDG (Paris)
 

I am flying PHL to CDG and back. Outbound, TSA requires locks with a master key on checked bags so they can inspect them. Fine, I will do that.

But what is the security procedure for locking checked baggage returning from CDG (Paris) to the USA? I asked my airline and they said ask TSA; I asked TSA and they said there was no standard procedure from France to the USA, so they don't know

TSA doesn't know???

I searched the French government web sites for clues, I searched the web site of the agency that runs CDG but no help.

My travel agent told me to lock the bag outbound from the USA per TSA regulations, then unlock the bag completely on the return leg and pray your stuff is still there when you get home.

I want to lock my checked suitcase on the flight back to the USA but if I use the TSA approved lock, will the French security folks rip my bag open?

Have any of you checked a bag lately at CDG for the return flight to the USA? What has been your experience?

Jimmyboy

I never lock my bags but do not pack anything valueable. Carry on laptop, phone, jewelry, etc. A thief can circumvent the locks. There was a youtube posted on this board showing how to use a pen to open the zipper. google it - you'll be enlightened.

I do use tie downs to secure the zippers.

Well, the US TSA doesn't run French airlines or what goes on at CDG, I assume that's why they answered that, I think it is unreasonable to expect them to speak with up-to-date authority and knowledge about every foreign airport in the world and what they do.

I don't lock my bags anymore, except within a country (and sometimes in my hotel, actually--yeah, I know anyone could knife one open, but I figure it deters someone who doesn't want to do something obvious). I have heard those TSA rules about locks don't apply in Europe, but don't think I've tested it. What's the worst that could happen? You'd have a broken lock and wasted your money on it? Locks don't cost that much, for heaven's sake, if you care that much about this, why not lock it and see what happens. I don't know how much those locks cost (TSA approved), if that is your issue that they are real expensive, just use a cheaper regular one.

Surely you know if they see something suspicious by screening and want to search it, they are going to, no lock is going to stop them.

What adrienne says. Carry the stuff you like. Send, unlocked, your case with nothing but dirty laundry.

Yup, what adrienne said.

Considering the fact that French airports have those machines that wrap suitcases in tough plastic (particularly for flights to Africa), they clearly do not mind if a suitcase is locked.

I never put anything of value in our bags. All that stuff is in our carry-ons. I do use TSA locks going and returning from Europe. I know it's really silly. Sometimes it's obvious that the bags have been opened and searched.

This past July, all of our bags arrived at JFK from Rome with open locks. I may try the cheap plastic ties next time around.

Like other here, I never lock checked luggage. Any valuables are with me on the plane.

TSA is about the USA that's why they aren't responsible for rules exiting France.

Another one who never bothers to lock our luggage. Anyone that wanted to get in would have no problem anyways. I put nothing of value in the suitcases and carry on anything I can't stand to lose?

I never ever lock a bag (seldom check bags at all but sometimes will even being carry on sized)

Just use cable ties to secure it. Be sure to have nail clippers w/ you to cut the cable tie (And be sure the nail clippers aren't inside the bag :) )

BTW TSA doesn't 'require' TSA approved locks. It is just that IF TSA does break break an 'approved' lock - the manufacturer will replace the lock.

No lock will deter a determined thief -

I have a TSA "we searched your bag" card in my luggage upon arrival every time I fly out of the US due to the strange things that I buy there.

I use a luggage strap around my 22" or 24" roller bag when I check it. Both for easy identification & to help insure it doesn't pop open if a zipper broke or something.

I typically have a TSA notice in my bag returning the US from Mexico. It's more unusual when I don't.

We follow Adrienne's school of thought. Works worldwide

If you are using a TSA lock outbound use the same lock inbound. Or don't bother with a lock at all.

I have TSA locks on mine, came with the bag, so no great hassle to use them.
I've had the TSA card in my bag once going in to the US (yes going in, from AMS, maybe they were doing a drugs check?) and DH has had it coming home again.

If you need convincing that locking your suitcase is a useless thing to do, here is a link to a video, as suggested by adrianne up post, that will convince you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf-DGKUNffI

I have had things stolen out of a suitcase at CDG in Paris, at least that was the most likely place that someone could have taken them. But that was some years ago.

I have seen them shrink-wrapping luggage as Kerouac says, and have wondered about this. Does this mean that it is only US airports that do not allow you to lock luggage?

Kerouac, what are the strange things you buy in the US? Inquiring minds want to know.

I always use the TSA combination locks traveling worldwide. Never have had a problem anywhere,
Europe, Asia, South America.

I used a TSA lock to fly to the US and when I got there, the lock had disappeared.

Like HappyTrvlr, I always use the TSA locks and have flown to and from Italy, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria....and have never had an issue.

I don't put valuables (jewelry, camera, I-pod)in checked bags, but some of my clothes are somewhat expensive, and I am quite fond of them. If I can easily do so, I would rather make it just a bit more difficult for someone else to develop a liking for them too. It is unlikely that someone would break into a suitcase when there are 3 more right there unsecured.

<unlikely that someone would break into a suitcase when there are 3 more right there unsecured.>

Not to my way of thinking. If I were a thief, I'd go for the locked suitcase, assuming it had valuables in it!

>>Not to my way of thinking. If I were a thief, I'd go for the locked suitcase, assuming it had valuables in it!<<

IMO suze is right. secured bags just seem more tempting.

Be sure to watch that youtube link nukesafe posted. A lock will not deter ANYONE and just indicates there <i>might</i> be something worth stealing inside.

My cable ties aren't to prevent theft -- but to help keep the bag closed. Same function as the strap suze mentioned.

I'm not a thief, so don't know how they think but they often do things that are the easiest and path of least resistance, so I agree that they would rather break into something not locked, it is easy and leaves no trace.

The police in my city say that all the time -- thieves are much more likely to steal things out of cars that are unlocked or houses, for that matter (many thefts in my city involve thieves getting in through open windows or doors).

I used to lock my bags when traveling and I never had much of value in them, still don't. But I still don't want anyone stealing anything even if minor, or just messing around in there. But we would need to take a poll of thieves and dishonest TSA agents or baggage handlers (enough of them at airports) to find out the thinking on that.

Actually the thieves (all of whom are baggage handlers) look for the most expensive suitcases, the 1st class stickers, and the origin of the bags (Middle East, Brazil, China...) to know where the goodies are. So many Paris baggage handlers have been caught by the video surveillance in recent years that the problem is now diminishing, even though naturally baggage handlers know exactly where they still can do things in places without video. But of course Paris is never more than 50% of the problem at best, since the bags have come from somewhere or are going somewhere.

After seeing open bags spilling (one assumes, dirty) laundry all over the baggage carousel, I have begun locking my bags with TSA locks. So far none have been cut off.

>>After seeing open bags spilling (one assumes, dirty) laundry all over the baggage carousel,<<

Cable ties/straps prevent that . . .

Locks are totally useless. Anyone, try for yourself, can easily separate a locked zipper with a ballpoint pen , paper clip...and rezip, or not.

Over 40 years, we've never "lost" anything in a checked bag, including all important to us dragged on the plane on the way over.

How are cable ties not the same as locking your luggage? You just cut them off instead of using a combo code or key to open them.

And, how do they prevent your clothes from spilling out if someone has broken your zipper?

>>How are cable ties not the same as locking your luggage? You just cut them off instead of using a combo code or key to open them.<<

The point is that locks do nothing to protect your belongings. Why invest in one since they will only attract attention and don't secure anything. Cable ties at least are nearly free (I get 100 for $150 at the hardware store)

Then why buy cable ties? Same results, I don't believe that luggage locks actually attract attention.

And, how do theses cable ties protect against your belongings from spilling out when someone breaks your zippers?

I always use TSA locks, never have found a TSA card inside in all of my trips. Carry jewelry and important stuff in my carryon.

I always lock my luggage whether to or from France or anywhere else and just put the TSA lock on the luggage. I also locked my luggage to and from places back before TSA locks were required here and have never had a piece of luggage ripped open in 40 years of overseas travel.

However, once to Bangkok, when my suitcase arrived, the TSA lock was missing so TSA had to have opened it. When I got home, I filed a form and TSA sent the money to replace it . In Bangkok TSA locks are available at department stores, but cost double what they cost here in the U.S. I thus pack a couple extra TSA locks when I travel.

Happy Travels!

>>And, how do theses cable ties protect against your belongings from spilling out when someone breaks your zippers?<<

Huh? Where do you think the cable ties go? The exact same holes in the zipper pulls as your locks. So If my zipper fails . . . and your zipper fails -- we are in the same exact boat.

If you are a braces and belt sort of person then you'd want to get a strap to hold your bag together in case the zipper fails . . . .

>>Then why buy cable ties? <<

I actually don't buy them specifically for for travel. I just have them. Many people just have them on their work bench or in the 'junk drawer' . Cable ties have hundreds of uses all over the home and like I said they cost about 1.5¢ each in a bag of 100.

I fly intra-European flights and flights leaving Europe frequently and always lock my case with a a small padlock (key or combination). The only time I've ever had an issue was on one trip back home from the USA when the TSA clowns broke open my (presumably "non-TSA") lock and left their delightful calling card instead.

Thankfully the TSA have nothing to do with pre-flight security on flights leaving European airports and I've never heard of CDG security forcing open someone's back (though I'm sure they have the power to do so in extremis, but just not as a regular thing without grounds). Given that they x-ray the bags and use sniffer dogs, these's really no reason to look inside unless there are other suspicious signs.

The Brits don't like TSA locks. Once they cut my lock off, such that that suitcase could no longer be locked. NowI use cable ties when flying abroad,TSA locks in between and in the US.