We have recently come back from a first and long awaited trip to New York which was fantastic - thanks to everyone on Fodors for their tips. But please tell me - is it normal to have to leave your luggage unlocked in security here in the USA and walk away?? We flew from Heathrow to JFK and people were picked at random to open their cases, whilst present, and be checked as is per normal here apart from the normal checks, but I was really shocked to have to leave my case in the US and not be present whilst the case was searched, we were actively "pushed onwards" and didn't see our cases again until we returned to the UK.... Has it not occurred to someone that a terrorist could so easily worm their way into this kind of job and plant something.... I'm really shocked. Please put me straight and tell me I'm so wrong. I did think that maybe when we retrieved our cases from Heathrow they maybe would have a tape across to show they'd been secured, but sadly I was wrong, our case was still open to anyone who cared to try. SCARY!!

Debdeb,
I think it depends on the aiport. I fly out of DFW and the procedure is for the passenger to take the bags to be screened , if locked they have you wait till the screening is done so that if needed they ask you to unlock, look through and then have you lock it when they are done.

However from what I've read seems like this is not the case for other aiports. I guess I have been more concerned about theft rather than terrorists infiltrating the ranks of baggage screeners!! They do actually put the plastic tag thingy around locks when the bags are not locked and they have actually opened the bag.

It started some time after 9/11 where we were told to either leave your luggage unlocked or use a TSA lock, which is a lock where the authorities will have a pass key in case they choose to search your bag. The first time I heard this I did not have a TSA lock and I really wanted to leave my suitcase locked. They told me that if my bag is chosen to be searched, they will cut off the lock. So I left it unlocked.

You make a very good point that a bomb could be placed into an unlocked suitcase if the terrorist gets a job w/the TSA. If that's the case, he could still get a bomb into a locked suitcase simply by cutting off the lock, or putting it into an outside zipper pocket. Or if he works for the TSA, he will have a pass key to your TSA lock and can use that.

Unfortunately nothing is fool-proof anymore. The best suggestion I can make is the next time you visit the US, pick up a TSA lock. They can be purchased at any travel store in the US, I don't know how easy they are to find in the UK, but I'm sure they can be found on the web.

In my experience at airports around NYC it is normal to leave your bags unlocked before they are screened by security, otherwise your locks will be broken, and you don't get to relock them.

I suspect most luggage is easily opened by a thief, even if you have a lock on it.

I have heard about special airport security locks that you can use but have not tried personally.

Actually you do not have to leave your checked cases unlocked. You are warned that they may break the lock and possibly damage the case if they have to get into it.
usually at check-in, I'm aked if I locked my check-ins. I have to bring my luggage to a separate screening area where I stand by until they screen my luggage. If they have to get into it, they will ask for my key. (Has never happened yet) They will relock the luggage afterwards in front of me. The screened luggage is then passed onto to the baggage handlers. Once it leaves my possession for screening, I am no longer allowed to touch it.

If terrorist happens to get a job with the TSA, whether your bags are locked or not will have little affect on whether he/she is successful in his/her mission!

I never pack anything valuable in checked luggage and never lock it. Those wimpy little locks wouldn't stop anyone who wanted in. Knowing my luck, I'd end up losing the key and would have to break the lock anyway.

Jean

95percent of the CHECKED baggage in the U.S. is still not screened or inspected. You wouldn't have to get a job at the airport to get a bomb on a plane.

The U.S. doesn't belief in safety, we believe in the ILLUSION of safety. It's all about the mighty dollar here! Get the people back in the air and make them FEEL safe!

Even though I'm told to leave my luggage unlocked - or they'll cut the lock off if they want to inspect it after Xray screening - I leave my checked luggage locked. If they cut the lock off, so be it. Hasn't happened yet and I feel more comfortable having some bit of security against just anyone going through my bags (minor security though the luggage locks offer).

Tracy2cents, although most baggage is not opened and searched, in the last year or two I have always seen them run all baggage through an x-ray machine of some sort. I thought this was standard practice at all US airports now.

Should be, they told us it WOULD be by now, but it isn't!

TSA locks or not, until August 2006 I never put jewelry, camera, cellphone, even my now passe CD player into my checked luggage. I'll be travelling again at the end of this month and am even more worried about theft from my checked baggage. Have the rules for carry-on been changed? Can I bring cellphone, camera, silly old CD player in my carry-on?

I have just gotten used to not locking my suitcase. That seems absolutely typical these days. And I often have the TSA letter saying my suitcase was "chosen" for a search, 2 out of my 3 most recent flights.

Yes, you can take your cell phone, CD player, camera in your carry on.

I have been using TSA locks for at least a year now, and have had no problems with them being cut off. They are regular locks that TSA people have a standard key to open. After inspection, they lock them back up.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Here is latest info on what is and isn't allowed:

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

Debi

Thanks, DebitNM! Has anyone read anything about stats on increased thefts from checked baggage?

Gary Boettcher, a pilot and president of the Coalition for Airline Pilots Association –- a trade group focused on security issues –- tells the Post - The whole screening process is a facade to make the public feel safe, to show that the government is doing something."

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/

sorry, AAFrequentflier, but the article you cite isn't on the link. Can you provide another one?

you just have to scroll down....

it's there

I am really disallusioned about TSA approved locks. First time I used it they could not open it. Fortunately I was there and opened it for them. Small airport. Second time (return trip) I was assured by check-in personnel that I could lock it. It was not checked in front of me this time. When I later retrieved my bag from the carousel, no lock, outside or inside. Security did leave their calling cards inside, the white paper disk and a form notice which beat around the bush about maybe they had to cut the lock. We never pack anything at all valuable and the lock was only $12, so it's just the idea of the thing. If they cut it, they could at least put the pieces inside the bag so we can get a refund from Master Lock. But maybe someone just forgot to lock it up again. Needless to say, I've filled out a claim form with TSA.