I don't think you can knock the security measures to be honest. You can get ceramic guns, plastic explosive, all sorts of weapons that won't show up on a metal detector or that can be disguised for an X-ray machine. I don't think you can blame them for the measures they are taking. I especially like the retinal scanners..........if we used something like that in this country at airports/ports etc it might help the illegal immigrant problem!!

hi, i have heard various people mention not locking your cases when travelling to/from usa,
has anyone any experience of this and what are your views ?
we have the hard bodied cases with combination locks, so i cannot use tie wraps to lock them,(as some people do with soft bodied/zipped cases)
and dont feel comfortable leaving them unlocked, on our return journey,
any advice appreciated
regards...
ps: we are departing manchester to sanford

Both times we have recently flown to US we have left our cases unlocked, they are hard bodied cases, with no problems whatsoever. They do actually tell you to unlock them at the airport. If they do do a random security search of your case and it's locked they will force it open!

We had our cases searched on the way back from New York in February, so thank goodness we left them unlocked! To be honest we wouldn't have even known that the cases had been touched if there hadn't have been stickers to say so, we had also been marked SSSS so we did know it would most likely happen.

Hi,

We have two hard bodied cases, and upon our return from Orlando in December one of our locked cases was opened by Customs. Not sure what they used to open the case but they ruined it. All they needed to do was request for us to attend and we could have opened it for them.

Last April when we done quite a few internal flights we had no problem with locking our cases, we just stayed with them whilst they done there checks.

When we travel there in a few weeks our cases will stay unlocked, but not happy with it really.

Kaz.

I have hard-bodied cases as well and what I do is leave the suitcase unlocked but put a lockable luggage strap around the case and lock that. That way if they have to search your case all they do is break the luggage strap and your case remains intact. It's much cheaper to replace a luggage strap than a suitcase, and the strap also make it much easier to identify your suitcase on the carousels.

Andy.

If you use Travelsentry compatible locks then you can lock it. Travelsentry compatible means that the US authorities have a masterkey or mastercombination and they can open it. Check this website out for more information:

http://www.travelsentry.org

As far as I know you can only buy them from American websites but still better than having your normal locks broken into.

If you lock it and they want to do a security check on it, then they will do whatever they have to do to get into it.

Basic rule is lock it on the way out and not on the way back unless you either use the Travelsentry approved locks as suggeted above or put plastic cable ties through the locks, these can be cut off if needed, you can also put a small pair of nail clippers (and some spare ties) in an outside pocket on the case if it has one so that if you're asked to open it you can do so. Cable ties are very cheap, about £1 for 100

I have been to Florida 7 times in the last 10 years and have NEVER EVER left my case unlocked.

I last travelled Manchester to Sanford in February and in both directions we locked our hard plastic suitcases using the combination locks. We have 1 samsonite and 1 carlton suitcase and have only ever heard of people not locking them on this forum and another similar forum.

We have never been advised to do so when booking or checking in either in England or the US.

There are large signs in Sanford and Orlando airports asking you not to lock them as they may be forced open if inspected

We were told our luggage had to be unlocked. I like the suggestions given though. If you go ahead and lock your case and it is searched then you will need to buy a new case- not cheap!

Jeff,
Where do I buy cable ties from?

Hi Marge

You can buy cable ties from any DIY or hardware store. They come in various sizes and colours.

luci

Even when your cases are unlocked, and there is a notice on the case stating that it is unlocked, TSA, may still force it open.

We returned from New York recently, and as we travel on a regular basis to the US, we are aware of the TSA regulations.

After checking in at JFK, I stuck a notice on our cases stating that the cases were unlocked if required.

On arrival at Heathrow, as our cases came down the conveyor belt, I noticed 1 of our cases was damaged.

TSA in the US had forced open the case, inside the case was an apology, when we got our other case, I opened it, and inside was another apology from TSA, although this case had not been forced open.

These are samsonite cases, and are not cheap, I tried to file a claim at Heathrow with United Airlines for the damage to the one case, unfortunately, and I am aware, TSA have the right to open the case.

So, even if you leave your cases open, make sure there is a big enough notice on the outside of the case, stating that it is unlocked.

Driver02

We've actually had cable ties put on by them after they've searched our case!!

I wasn't aware of this when we flew to San Fran in 2003 but I must admit I think I'd leave it open now as I've heard so many horror stories.

I had no idea about this - if i'd have known i would have left the cases unlocked when returning from New York the other month - suitcases don't come cheap!!

I would say always leave them unlocked. I had my case busted in Cleveland and now I cannot use it again.

Letve them open!

Yep,i agree with the advice keep the cases unlocked,flying from vegas to florida via atlanta one of our cases was opened and a leaflet was left inside the case to say it had been checked,if they want to search your case they will open it somehow and if that means wrecking the case us customs will.