skatterfly

Thank you to all of you who posted when I asked a previous question about luggage locks. I'm reposting this question with a more specific subject header now... based on something Sufergirl said about flying out of LAX, that they screened her luggage with her standing there... meaning she could lock her bag right before it went onto the plane.

Any of you who have flown from SFO, do they do this at check in also?

I admit I haven't flown since 9/11, but we always put checked luggage up onto a scale at the ticket desk, they stick it on a conveyer belt, and it goes off into security land where they then scan it, etc... all behind the curtain of the great and powerful TSA.

Maybe now that they're checking 100% of all bags, it's done differently. Is this why it's taking up to 3 hours to check in for international flights?

Bottom line is that I'm fretting a bit (not a lot, just using the term sarcastically) about what lock to use (or not use) on our SFO to LHR flight. Virgin's website says that they strongly recommend locks on all checked luggage (which I always would do pre-9/11) but that flights originating from US cities are checked 100% and that the US's policy is "no locks" or "TSA locks". Virgin admits they're recommendation is at odds with the US TSA policy.

So... I'm trying to get more info so I can make a decision on how to lock, or not, my luggage. I have a favorite little lock I like to use, it's not TSA, and I don't want it cut open. I'm reluctant to use the cable ties, though, because they don't seem to be any kind of deterrent from some nefarious person in the screening or baggage handling process who might be looking for a quick hit.

And my husband doesn't want to invest in the TSA locks because if there are so many "master keys" to open the TSAs then the true criminals are gonna have copies to those keys, which will also mean they're not a real deterrent.

But of course, if you use your own lock (non-TSA), at least on a flight originating in the US, you risk having it cut off.

HELP!!!!

Thanks so much for bearing with my trip preparation craziness!

~kat

tashak

I have flown out of SFO since 9/11 -- on AA and BA to London (sorry, not Virgin). At AA the inspector said he would lock my bags with my (nonTSA) lock after inspection, and he did. (It has to do with where the screening is done, I believe...at AA the person I handed the bag to screened it. ) At BA this was not the case, as the screening was far from the baggage check-in, so in that case I had to use the plastic cable ties. You might call Virgin, and see if you can get info about their policies at SFO...but be prepared to have them surprise you with differnt policies at the airport. (And obviously you have no recourse. So I'd bring cable ties as a backup.) BTW, you can buy numbered cableties at Travelsmith, Magellans, etc...that would offer "definitive proof" that someone has tampered with the bag, since they would be unreplaceable by whoever opened it.

And there is always baggage insurance.

But honestly, unless you are carrying something really valuable in your luggage (which you really shouldn't ever do...) I'd not worry about this too much on the SFO-London run...I've travelled this alot, and it seems to be a pretty safe route for luggage, inthe overall scheme of things.

skatterfly

Thanks Tahsa... of course we don't put "valuables" in luggage but frankly, clothing and shoes these days ARE valuable if you think of their sticker value or the opportunity cost of replacing them. And I'd hate to have to track down a favorite pair of jeans or a shirt they no longer make from my favorite designer... so of course I'm dragging all that on carry-on. But it's still frustrating nonetheless.

From reading the posts on this topic, though.... it seems the consensus is that cable ties are the most popular. Perhaps I'll bring those and my favorite combination locks and see what happens at check in... if they'll let me lock them after they're done that's great. If not, the lock will stay in the suitcase for my ground travels once in Europe.

Thanks!
~kat

janis

I last flew out of SFO in June and both VS (Virgin) and BA screening was done "behind the scenes".

just use cable ties - All bags are screened but not all are opened and if yours isn't you can clip off the cable tie w/ a nail clipper after you arrive. If they are searched, TSA will put on their own version of a cable tie and clippers will work on them too.

No lock will secure your bags from a determined thief. But a cable tie will tell you immediately if it was opened.

djkbooks

The best bet is to just tie your zipper pulls together with twist-ties. And, not pack any valuables in your checked luggage, if you're worried about same. Better to carry those in your carry-on bags.

Despite those alleged "TSA approved" locks, many airports do not have the keys and/or don't bother to use them.

When going over, we had two bags each (with twist ties), along with a carryon for the camera, etc. Coming home, they allowed us to check the extra carryon, nice so as we would not have to drag it all about Heathrow.

tashak

skatterfly,
You are absolutely right about the value of apparel. That's why I either wear or carry-on the stuff that is "irreplaceable" or most valuable.

And mkingdom will likely cringe at this advice, but I would rather use a faithful, travel-marked duffle bag than a smart designer bag, because the baggage handlers with thieving intentions will choose mkingdom's bag instead of mine. (Why worry about impressing baggage handlers and hotel bellmen?)

BTW, I have great respect for the integrity and management of Heathrow-- I've forgotten things at the airport twice, and in both cases they were found, turned in, and waiting for me at the lost property office. Don't think there are many big airports in the world where you have even a chance of recovering lost items. So again, don't worry much about this...no guarantees, but SFO-Heathrow on a non-stop flight may be one of the safest runs for baggage, in the world.