Aussie travelling to US/Canada - Do I use locks or cable ties on my suitcases
 

Can anyone offer advice please. I am travelling to LA and then to Vancouver, San Fran, New York, Toronto and back to LA. Is everyone using cable ties now so security can cut those off if need be rather than rip off locks. And if they do search your suitcase, do they lock it up again. Also, I've heard you should not pack food in your suitcase, what about alchol?

Thanks
mac123

Mac,
I have just returned from a holiday in Honolulu and while we had a lock on our bags for the NZ-HAWAII leg, when checking our bags for the return journey we were advised that security WILL bust locks if they decide to search your bag.
We took the locks off and when we got home and started unpacking, there was a notice inside one bag to say it had been searched.
If you do decide to go with the ties and your bag turns up without them, make sure there is a notice to verify it was security who cut them.

Christa

You can pack alcohol. Make sure it's in a crushproof, leakproof container. Preferably not metal, which will likely ensure that your bag gets searched. If plastic, don't fill more than 2/3.

If your suitcase is searched, plastic ties will be used to secure the zipper pulls together.

Hi Mac!
Might as well use the plastic ties, they are ok with the airlines, although you can leave your luggage unlocked until you check in and ask at that time. We did some flying in March and everytime, they let us use our own plastic ties and nothing was ever opened.
At least this way-you don't get your locks broken.
Have a good trip!

I have hard sided samsonite. It has to be locked with a key. Anyone have an idea what I should do about that. Lock it mostly to keep from popping open. Recent trip to NYC I left unlocked, but but a red strap around it. Of course when it came thru at LGA the strap was not there. Ireally want to lock it to keep from the embarrasment of open luggage.

My son has one of those hard suitcases and he bought the strap in some luggage store.At the airport he strapped it when he checked in, they also said that if they were to open it, it would be restrapped and a sticker put on it.
He arrived in Japan with all luggage still strapped and tied shut.
Maybe your strap just came off or undone?
Maybe two straps would be better. Good luck.

I have a hard-sided Samsonite with built-in locks. The locks mostly make sure it won't pop open, which it would do if they were not engaged. The last time I flew (2 weeks ago) the TSA folks had me go ahead and lock it, and stay in the vicinity while they X-rayed the bag in case they needed to search it.

I wouldn't pack alcohol or any liquid in my case. On a long international flights I've found liquids will "spill" - short flights they're less likely to do so. If you liquids on you can check them. I travel with a plastic bottle (liquid makeup) that looks like someone has "blown it up" usually about 1/2 way through an international flight.

Get a bag of the cable ties... cheap and MUCH more secure than locks, which can be kicked or bashed open quite easily. A friend who works TSA at DFW says that most locks are very easy to break with one good whack. Cables are super cheap and if they get lost... so what! If you lose one, so what! And no pesky combo to remember!

Mac123--

WE just flew after Christmas and we used the PLASTIC CABLE TIES which I got at Home Depot--you can also get them at Lowe's ( if you have either of these Home Improvement stores in Australia)...

In addition , I put colored Luggage straps around each suitcase so I can find it on the luggage rounder..

Neither were disturbed on our trip home from Florida...

In addition, do not pack any ALCOHOL..it will break..but you can carry it on in your carry-on luggage..

NO FOOD at all unless it is canned or wrapped in company wrappers-ie like candy bars..

Fruit and nuts-loose in a bag are no - no's...

PS if Luggage is searched, they put an sticker outside to let you know that it has happened..

Have a great time and Welcome!!