tony8028

Hi everyone

I have heard that if you lock your luggage US customs will sometimes cut your bags open to inspect them. Is this correct? Is it likely ?

Do the "TSA" locks avoid this situation? They are quite expensive - in fact if i had to put one of these on each zips it would cost me more in locks than the suitcase.


thanks Tony

J62

In my opinion TSA luggage locks are a complete waste of time. Any 2 bit thief could open them in a flash. I ensure the zippers on my suitcase aren't casually opened I use plastic cable ties you can find at any hardware store, Walmart, etc for about $1 for a 20 pack, or less.

I've never heard of customs opening bags without me present. Every time I've entered the US I've had my bags in hand when I passed through customs, unless they get to them before they come out on the baggage claim.

If the TSA/security needs to open a bag with a cable tie I've been told they will zip it closed with a new one and leave a note inside the bag.

schmerl

The can and will inspect checked luggage randomly. In the US they usually have the special key to open the TSA locks...not sure about other countries. Friens of mine have had their regular locks cut off their luggage and the usual note from TSA saying their bag had been inspected was inside.

doug_stallings

Customs won't cut anything off. At a physical customs inspection, which is rarely done, you'll be asked to open your own bag in front of the inspector, so there will be no chance your lock will be cut off.

The TSA (SECURITY inspectors, not customs inspectors), however, does sometimes cut off locks even though they are supposed to be able to open them with a pass key. They are supposed to zip the bag closed and put in a note but they don't always do that.

I've also had locks snipped by security inspectors overseas and in Mexico by thieves who ransacked my luggage in the Puerto Vallarta airport.

garyt22

We have had several checked bags inspected and use the same plastic zip ties mentioned above... they have always left a neon paper note stating an inspection was conducted... however they do not replace the ties... we also use key rings to join multiple zippers and they have cut them off...

nytraveler

TSA will open bags at random - and will cut of locks if necessary to do so. I simply don;t lock checked luggage - but do put a large, brightly color strap around it to discourage thieves. But, you have to make sure there's nothing in the bag worth stealing - anything someone would want to take should be in your carry-on.

tony8028

I am not worried about stealing as much as I am about someone putting something IN my bag. I am stopping though Bangkok on the way home which is the last place you want to be caught with anything unlawful if your bag.

tony8028

Just wondering....people who use cable ties to secure your bags, how do you open the zips if you need to? You are hardly going to carry a knife if you cabin bag?

tony8028

sorry...I meant "in your cabin bag"

I friggin hate this message board ! Why can't we edit posts after we post them to make corrections etc?

J62

Good question tony.

I keep a nail clippers in the outside pouch of my suitcase along with some cable ties for the return trip.

tony8028

Are you allowed to carry nail clippers on board?

J62

Yes, as well as scissors.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ted-items.shtm


Allowed: Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches

suze

As above, nail clippers in an outside, non-zippered pocket (to cut off plastic cable ties). Yes you are allowed to carry them on board these days.

tony8028

Ok, so you guys keep both the nail clippers and some spare cable ties in your cabin luggage and that doesnt raise any eyebrows?
Sounds like a good and cheap way of securing luggage which will at least deter opportunistic access to luggage by undesirables.

Placename

1. Customs makes you open the bags.

2. TSA can cut off anything, including locks.

3. I use those plastic cable ties, and put a small pair of scissors in the small outside pocket of my bag.

Thieves in airports are looking for easy opportunities. They are looking for open bags to stick their hands into unnoticed. They don't want to be going through every pocket trying to find your tiny scissors or nail clippers.

tony8028

Ok...so you put the nail clippers in the pocket of the checked-in luggage, not your carry-on....

suze

<Ok, so you guys keep both the nail clippers and some spare cable ties in your cabin luggage and that doesnt raise any eyebrows?>

Correct.

tony8028

Cool - then that's what I will do !

Perfect plan.

Darcy_Rohde

Well, my boyfriend just received his checked luggage toolbox with the 3 locks cut off on his Seattle to Reno flight; TSA apparently cut them off.

You would think that if he pays Alaska Airlines $50 each way to have a manned luggage check-point weigh and tag his tool box into checked luggage, the employee could mention that he might want to remove the locks?

Perhaps we should add the airline employee bag-checker to the long list of people to tip during a simple short airline flight?