Luggage lock broken at airport

Tojo_Ralph

DKLS wrote: »

I heard its common practice now to break into any suitcases that are locked, especially when travelling to the states.

Locks or no locks, I don't know of any country other than the USA where one is likely to get ones luggage legally opened by security services when one is not present? I'm not saying that security in some of the less desirable locations around the world aren't permited to legally open ones luggage when one is not present, but with regard to the obvious travel destinations in the likes of Asia, South America, Europe, Australasia, etc, as far as I know, security services will only inspect the contents with the owner present.

mumofjusttwo

I have has my luggage searched but they did leave a note inside the suitcase to tell me that they had searched it.

phatbear

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Locks or no locks, I don't know of any country other than the USA where one is likely to get ones luggage legally opened by security services when one is not present? I'm not saying that security in some of the less desirable locations around the world aren't permited to legally open ones luggage when one is not present, but with regard to the obvious travel destinations in the likes of Asia, South America, Europe, Australasia, etc, as far as I know, security services will only inspect the contents with the owner present.

UK customs are perfectly within their right to open your baggage without you present, sect 159 of cema 1979.

all the best

the bear

Tojo_Ralph

phatbear wrote: »

UK customs are perfectly within their right to open your baggage without you present, sect 159 of cema 1979.

all the best

the bear

Which is why with professionals like yourself around, I chose my words very carefully when responding to the suggestion that it was common practice now to break into any suitcases that are locked ..... by refering to countries where "one is likely to get ones luggage legally opened by security services", or at least I thought I had chosen my words carefully, until I reread the latter part of my statement.

I am guessing that should they feel the need to, the security or customs authorities in every country in the world have a right to open luggage, however when it comes to the idea of security or customs repeatedly bursting locks or simply searching luggage the way the US Authorities do, as far as I know it doesn't happen anywhere and thus I was refering to the liklehood of it happening.

I have no doubt UK customs search luggage behind the scenes, however I have always assumed or believed that it is done far more selectively than the USA, with a purpose and with the utmost care so as not to alert the owner that the luggage has been examined.

Personally I have yet to have my faithful hard bodied case with combo lock and three lockable clasps knowingly opened, but I have on a couple of occasions been tugged by security/customs overseas after quite obviously having had my luggage tagged for inspection at some point, be it by all too obvious chalk marks or by a.n.other method/s unknown.

phatbear

You're quite right american homeland security screen everything and open a far higher percentage of bags than probably any other customs in the world, ironically you'd be amased at the amount of things they miss.

As far as uk customs opening your bag our ethos is covert, after all if something is found then its a tad pointless the punter getting his/her bag and realising it has been tampered with.

Oddly enough one of my specialist bags. yes its sad but we do have them, is hard siders, as they are a tad more of a challenge to get into, after all a bag with a zip, locked or not I can get in and out of in a matter of seconds and the passenger/punter would'nt know any different.

My advice to anyone is never buy expensive luggage cos as sure as pigs are pink they will get wrecked, I often work with baggage handlers and some treat the bags like their own and other treat the bags like their play things, also never assume your bag is safe and secure, because as quickly as a law enforcement official can get into your bag so can a thief, and most importantly never put anything of real value in your bags.

all the best

the bear

davethetaller

phatbear wrote: »

You're quite right american homeland security screen everything and open a far higher percentage of bags than probably any other customs in the world, ironically you'd be amased at the amount of things they miss.

As far as uk customs opening your bag our ethos is covert, after all if something is found then its a tad pointless the punter getting his/her bag and realising it has been tampered with.

Oddly enough one of my specialist bags. yes its sad but we do have them, is hard siders, as they are a tad more of a challenge to get into, after all a bag with a zip, locked or not I can get in and out of in a matter of seconds and the passenger/punter would'nt know any different.

My advice to anyone is never buy expensive luggage cos as sure as pigs are pink they will get wrecked, I often work with baggage handlers and some treat the bags like their own and other treat the bags like their play things, also never assume your bag is safe and secure, because as quickly as a law enforcement official can get into your bag so can a thief, and most importantly never put anything of real value in your bags.

all the best

the bear

I felt a long time ago that if someone wanted to open a case with a lock on it, then they would be able to do it, with, or without, damage to the lock or case.

I now use a "halfway house" option.

I purchased some plastic cable ties, in an obscure colour, and use those.

If they are intact at journeys end, then I would believe that the contents are all there.

I am sure that phatbear has a method to "spring my zips", but I have no problem at all with his legal intervention.

Contact ObscureCableTies.com..........................(sorry just my little joke) !

Don't make the mistake that I made first time out, and have nothing to remove them; pack some nail clippers (in your HAND luggage!) :rotfl:

Tojo_Ralph

davethetaller wrote: »

I am sure that phatbear has a method to "spring my zips", but I have no problem at all with his legal intervention.

Opening a zip with the two zips simply secured with a cable tie or with a lock without damaging either is childs play allegedly and a quick search on youtube should confirm this.

davethetaller

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Which is why with professionals like yourself around, I chose my words very carefully when responding to the suggestion that it was common practice now to break into any suitcases that are locked ..... by refering to countries where "one is likely to get ones luggage legally opened by security services", or at least I thought I had chosen my words carefully, until I reread the latter part of my statement.

I am guessing that should they feel the need to, the security or customs authorities in every country in the world have a right to open luggage, however when it comes to the idea of security or customs repeatedly bursting locks or simply searching luggage the way the US Authorities do, as far as I know it doesn't happen anywhere and thus I was refering to the liklehood of it happening.

I have no doubt UK customs search luggage behind the scenes, however I have always assumed or believed that it is done far more selectively than the USA, with a purpose and with the utmost care so as not to alert the owner that the luggage has been examined.

Personally I have yet to have my faithful hard bodied case with combo lock and three lockable clasps knowingly opened, but I have on a couple of occasions been tugged by security/customs overseas after quite obviously having had my luggage tagged for inspection at some point, be it by all too obvious chalk marks or by a.n.other method/s unknown.

Crypes, Tojo Ralph, If I was up to mischief with other peoples cases, and it was a choice between my case with a cable tie, and your hard bodied case with a combo lock, and three lockable clasps; I would be more curious to know what was in yours !

If they want to pinch my pair of underpants,that is ok, because I have a promise of another pair this Christmas.

I am pleased for you,that your high security case,actually REACHES the conveyor belt, and does not go adrift, before that point!

Just pullin yer leg.

vivatifosi

My DH works for an airline and he uses the cable ties too, is it an industry thing? When I'm at the luggage carousel its only his I see with these.

sturll

In all fairness isn't it pointless locking your luggage? Especially when id assume that they have more chance of being stolen at the carousel rather than being broken into.

Additionally a case lock is feeble at best - probably like using gaffer tape to secure your front door. Besides a 'thief' would hardly be put off - if anything he/she would probably think "hmm, there is a lock on this, there must be something of value in it"

Then of course the whole security issue - a case lock should surely go down as the most pointless thing on earth and i wouldn't be surprised if several years from now they are outlawed in order to comply with the ever increasing stringent security measures put into place.