Luggage to USA

stoneman

We have Wakamatsu luggage that has locks like the OP's. We use TSA approved straps with combination locks on them. Our bags get open by them each time we come home but they just put their special key in, unlock the strap, have a rummage and lock them back up again.
Similar to these

ferf1223

phatbear wrote: »

i personally think its more important to make your bag tamper evident rather than fully locked up, personally I use cable ties and there are ways which make it far more obvious if someone has messed with your bag

agree with this also as unless something has changed, airlines probably have in their conditions of carriage a time limit within which you have to report luggage -related incidents...the one time we had an issue the airline initially rejected the claim as it was more than 4 (I think) hours from the time we landed when we reported it...we'd only gotten home - we didn't make a habit of opening our cases at the airport so didn't realise until after we got home there was an issue to report...we used cable ties for a few years after that for the early warning sign, before we stopped bothering all-together.

I do agree that thieves are opportunists...but I don't believe that locks of any sort will really keep someone out if they think there's good stuff in there...that's why I make sure there's no good stuff in there.

luci

We also have clamshell cases similar to those the OP has so there is nowhere to put a TSA approved lock or a cable tie.

We have been going to the US regularly since the "ban" on locking cases came in and have never locked them and we have never had a leaflet saying that they have been opened.

I've just remembered that we don't lock them going to and from the US. Are we allowed to lock them when exiting the country or does that depend on whether you have a flight connecting in the US?

littlereddevil

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

Out of the last approx 15 trips to the US I have had my bag opened and checked 3 times. I would not have been able to tell, as I don't lock my cases and nothing looked disturbed, except they left a yellow slip inside telling me. Up to you to work out whether you mind those odds.

Exactly what has happened to me.
I always lock the cases and have combination locks too
but only discover when I get home and the slip of paper is inside.
I reckon I now know what has alerted them to my cases though so I don't buy those goods any more. I think they only open them when they see something on the xray they are not sure about

photome

littlereddevil wrote: »

Exactly what has happened to me.
I always lock the cases and have combination locks too
but only discover when I get home and the slip of paper is inside.
I reckon I now know what has alerted them to my cases though so I don't buy those goods any more. I think they only open them when they see something on the xray they are not sure about

Thats a bit cryptic, are you going to share

claire16c

I've had the piece of paper to say they've checked it a few times. When we've left the US they always seem to ask have you locked your case and tell you to unlock it unless you have a TSa lock.

Now I use cable ties or nothing or a TSA lock. Annoyingly they once ripped my dads suitcase zip instead of opening the TSA lock which is why i prefer cable ties. You can apply for money if they damage your case but not sure what the chance of getting it is!

If you don't put anything valuable in your suitcase - which you shouldn't anyway, then I wouldn't worry too much. I don't think thieves are after other people's clothing.

bikeit

Thanks to everyone who took the time to offer help / advice,
just finished packing the suitcase, now for the carry on case.