unlocked cases travelling back from USA

sandy2_2

We have been told you need to keep you checked in baggage unlocked when travelling back from USA.
Apparently security checks are made on the contents of the cases and if the cases are locked the locks are broken, if zipped cases are used, the suggestiion is to use cable ties, which the security people can cut and then resecure with new cable ties.
If you use hard shell suitcases special luggage straps can be purchased which are TSA approved and the security people have a master key to unlock them. I have been unable to find a uk supplier, does anyone have any info please

alison74

You can get them in shops like Blacks Outdoors, Rohan Clothes Shops (they sell the Eagle creek version) etc or any outdoor store.

I used mine for my trip back from the States in January and I have the ones that flick between green and red to tell you if someone has opened it and they had !!

US security checked my bags for sure

dmg24

Also anywhere that stocks Antler products will sell them.

moonrakerz

If that is the case, why are there people in the check-in area at Miami wrapping your bags in clingfilm (for a fee !) to prevent theft from your bags after you have checked in ??

alison74

Yes, I have seen that, but since the regs came in within the US, I feel that wrapping your bag is pointless. I am sure security guys LOVE cutting the cling film off those bags for a peek inside

sandy2_2

Please can you give me an idea of how much the luggage straps cost, as we're in Spain and need to ask daughter to buy them in UK as I've not found anything over here

nelly_2

alison74 wrote:

Yes, I have seen that, but since the regs came in within the US, I feel that wrapping your bag is pointless. I am sure security guys LOVE cutting the cling film off those bags for a peek inside

I reckon they dont love it at all, first of all pretty much every single lugage contains exactly the same as the rest and who wants to rumage through peoples unwashed holiday clothes?

edda

It's worth buying a couple of TSA approved locks whenever you're at an airport. They're not that expensive and the choice can be better than in the UK shops. Plus, you also have spares for when your cases turn up without locks.

moonrakerz

The point that I was trying to make in my earlier post is that you do not have to leave your bags unlocked.

All bags are screened after check-in, there will be a small number where items in the luggage cannot be identified. In this case (pun not intended !) the bag may have to be opened. If the bag is locked, the TSA say that they will break the lock. As an earlier post said, most bags are full of dirty laundry anyway, hardly likely to trigger an explosives sniffer.

If TSA staff can obtain special keys for their "approved" locks, how long do you think it took crooked baggage handlers to obtain these keys as well ?

If you have things that need locking away, they shouldn't be in hold baggage anyway !

wolfehouse

i have had my bags opened by US security- and there was no particular reason- just spot checking.

I always use those coated twisty wires (like you get on bread bags). i make sure i carry extras. They cost me nothing and do insure that no one can just come up and open the bag quickly as it takes some noticible fiddling.

If someone wants to take your stuff they can just walk out with your whole bag these days and no one will question them.

Lemmingjuice

If you go to Google.co.uk, and do a UK only search for TSA straps there are lots of people who sell them.

I bought a couple of locks from http://www.outdooraccessories.co.uk/index.htm?url=products/pacsafe/padlocks.htm last year & they supplied them quickly.