TSA Padlock Deals - Essential for your holiday

pete_l

I got some of these locks last year when I went to the US. One of my case was searched on flight into Chicago without me knowing - but it did have a letter explaining that it had been checked.

On the flight back they were both searched, unfortunately the TSA lock that was put back on one of my cases wasn't mine I had to get someone to hacksaw the lock off so that I could get into it.

newkidontheblock

Would I be right in assuming these are only useful if you are going on holiday to America? Do they do anything similar for Australia?

LeoLeo_2

newkidontheblock wrote: »

Would I be right in assuming these are only useful if you are going on holiday to America? Do they do anything similar for Australia?

I'm told the UK customs have also adopted this Travel Sentry System, so i reckon we will now start to see heavy handed uk customs officials expecting to see TSA locks on bags. I think if there is another terrorist alert at an airport (like last year), then the use of these locks will have to be the norm unfortunately.
I'm not sure about australia...maybe they have a customs website you can check if you are really bothered.;)

rawk

I just use cable ties now tbh.

I think padlocks that everyone can open are a bit of a waste of money!!

When they opened ours lat time to florida, they replaced the cable ties with their own.

g_attrill

rawk wrote: »

I just use cable ties now tbh.

I think padlocks that everyone can open are a bit of a waste of money!!

When they opened ours lat time to florida, they replaced the cable ties with their own.

I carry a few things on flights in commercial-grade plastic crates quite often and use cable ties to secure though (I put a few spare ties inside the lid, but none have been opened yet), I think they are probably enough to deter the casual baggage handler who probably wants to be in and out of a case in a matter of seconds. The scenario of a case being picked up by somebody else in baggage claim is interesting, a cable tie should stop that too.

Carrie.F

The cheaper the lock the better it is....
ITS ONLY A DETERENT
Extarct of a review of TSA security

"Only a dedicated thief will choose to try and open a suitcase that has a more serious lock on it, such as the SearchAlert. And such a thief could simply break in through the side of the suitcase, or cut the lock off entirely, or steal the entire suitcase! So all that any type of lock can do is reduce the chance of pilfering, not eliminate it entirely.
It is possible to open the lock via the TSA key slot without an official TSA key. The lock uses a simple warded system to control this function, and I was able to defeat this with an imaginatively shaped piece of iron. However, although I could open the lock this way, I couldn't prevent the indicator changing from green to red, and this indicator feature is as much the prime benefit of the lock as is its 'security'."
A GREAT tip for holidays abroad is to take a cycle cable lock, you can cable lock your case to the your train seat while you sleep and in your hotel if you are unsure of the local safe facility - cable lock your case to the plumbing or imobile fitting. never leave cash in a suitcase.

LeoLeo_2

Carrie.F wrote: »

A GREAT tip for holidays abroad is to take a cycle cable lock, you can cable lock your case to the your train seat while you sleep and in your hotel if you are unsure of the local safe facility - cable lock your case to the plumbing or imobile fitting. never leave cash in a suitcase.[/COLOR][/LEFT]

That's a good tip actually. Thanks for this.

Southpaw

On a related note. Why are all baggage areas in the US after security and accesible to anyone who wants to get a free bag off the carousel?

Also I would add that not all baggage handlers are thieves and would say that anyone coming into contact with your luggage may be a "potential" thief.

captain_kirk_4

I also saw these TSA combination ones for 4 pounds in mattallan yesterday.

losbert

4-Dial TSA Luggage Padlocks only £4.69!
I’m off to Florida soon and I wanted some TSA padlocks for my suitcases which are needed for travel to the states because of US customs regulations.
Found this site on google, www.tripneeds.com, and they have 4-dial ones for only £4.69.
http://www.tripneeds.com/product_info.php/products_id/173
The only other place I have seen 4 dial combination TSA locks is on ebay and the sellers there want £10 for locks that look exactly the same! I am well pleased.
The website also has others at a cheaper price but I wanted the 4-dial ones.