My neice is just back from Las Vegas, Belfast to Newark, then LV and back to Belfast via Newark.
She locked her cases with a normal padlock and no probs....
BUT
With my luck (I don't have any!) if I locked them they would be ripped open and the suitcase ruined.
Im going with the cable ties when we go to NY & LV in Oct.
JaimeC
She locked her cases with a normal padlock and no probs....
BUT
With my luck (I don't have any!) if I locked them they would be ripped open and the suitcase ruined.
Im going with the cable ties when we go to NY & LV in Oct.
JaimeC
We have got our TSA Certified locks for our forthcoming USA Holiday from Travelcare.com . Price £5.50 each and we got them within 48 hours of ordering.
Personally I think that if someone working at an airport is of the mind to steal from somebodies suitcase then they will have all the necessary 'tools' to do the job on them all the time anyway - so cable ties or flimsy little padlocks would make no difference to them what-so-ever.
I never bother locking mine and prefer to carry any valuables as hand luggage.
If anyone wants to steal my dirty washing then they are more than welcome
Pegasus
I never bother locking mine and prefer to carry any valuables as hand luggage.
If anyone wants to steal my dirty washing then they are more than welcome
Pegasus
It's not theft that's the problem, US Customs require all luggage leaving the USA to be either unlocked or locked with TSA approved locks that they can open, luggage locked by any other means will (if searched) be opened by whatever means are required, this usually means either breaking the lock or cutting off the straps.
We have used cable ties for a few years now, with no problems - when we could use locks it was always stressfull trying to find the key/remember the combination after 14,000 hours travelling (well it seemed like 14,000 - my brain was still in the last plane i had taken). With cable ties, I just had to remember which outside suitcase pocket I had hidden the nail clippers in (usually under a pair of jumbo knickers that would scare off any would be thief).
We also always left a spare pair in the case for the TSA to use if they cut the original ties off.
Heid
xx
We also always left a spare pair in the case for the TSA to use if they cut the original ties off.
Heid
xx
Maybe I'm a bit thick and we have never had any problems leaving US having locked our cases in the normal way, even since 9/11. However, I would not like to have the locks forced open by customs (we have splashed out on some new luggage this year). My question is, where do I buy cable ties? I know my husband will know but he will rib me something rotten if I ask him, especially if I can get them at the local supermarket and he will expect me to know what they are.
Any of the major DIY stores (B&Q, Homebase etc.) Maplins Electronics stores or most gardening centres will usually sell them for tying up plants/trees etc. (at rip off prices!) the 100mm ones should be about 1p each.
CLICK HERE
or Argos
CLICK HERE
Or for smaller packs
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=6229&doy=20m8
*Edit to shorten links. Pippy
*
CLICK HERE
or Argos
CLICK HERE
Or for smaller packs
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=6229&doy=20m8
*Edit to shorten links. Pippy
*
I am having a brunette moment? What makes these locks TSA approved? Found one for a fiver but I can't see what the difference is in the picture? Seen a good late deal for NY - have been before but before all this TSA stuff was introduced. Any advice appreciated.
http://www.ifsogo.com/acatalog/Luggage_locks_straps.html
Thanks!
http://www.ifsogo.com/acatalog/Luggage_locks_straps.html
Thanks!
Hi there
Just wondering as I have read that due to hightened security and US airports it is not a good idea to lock your suitcases, is it okay to put on those plastic tags that can just be cut off to get into the case?
Bizzilady
Just wondering as I have read that due to hightened security and US airports it is not a good idea to lock your suitcases, is it okay to put on those plastic tags that can just be cut off to get into the case?
Bizzilady
Most people on here have recommended using the zipties for suitcases,as immigration can easily cut them off.
But remember to put some nail clippers in an outside pocket on your suitcase so you can cut them off when you get to your hotel/villa.
But remember to put some nail clippers in an outside pocket on your suitcase so you can cut them off when you get to your hotel/villa.
I had my case opened and searched on an internal flight to Las Vegas a couple of years ago. They cut off the padlock and left a calling card inside the case.
I purchased TSA approved locks. The only external difference is a small red roundel. The US authorities have master keys that can open all of these TSA locks, so it prevents them damaging anything - the baggage handlers manage that quite nicely on their own!
I purchased TSA approved locks. The only external difference is a small red roundel. The US authorities have master keys that can open all of these TSA locks, so it prevents them damaging anything - the baggage handlers manage that quite nicely on their own!
There was a lot of discussion on this last year. I bought some cable ties from B&Q to use on our return journey. However, whilst in Florida I bought some TSA approved locks from the Samsonite shop up International Drive, can't remember how much they were but not expensive otherwise I wouldn't have bought them. I thought once you have them you can use them every time you go on holiday. Although suitcases were being opened on the return journey, ours were not touched. The cable ties would do if you don't want to splash out on locks.
When we flew back from Chicago recenty our cases were weighed then we had to lug them to a roped off area in the middle of the check in area where a team of security guards opened them and went through them. We just pushed them under the taped barrier and left them there. We were asked to leave them unlocked and they would snap the locks shut after inspection. To be honest when I unpacked at home they had actually improved on the way the case was packed!
The first year on our return noticed our padlocks had been broken there was a slip inside saying they had opened it unfortunatley 2 presents were missing.We noticed you can now get special padlocks that are tsa approved purchased them from asda but think you can buy them other places also,our cases were not opened that year.
Pegasus 928-
I use the Sentry Locks (TSA Approved). I never put anything valuable other than my clothing of course in my suitcases but I want them locked.
Have you ever thought that people in airports could deposit things in your unlocked suitcase and use it to 'courier' contraband to another airport?
If your suitcase is unlocked that could and does happen and you will have no defence if Customs stops you.
TSA looked through my suitcase on a recent flight and left me a note to that effect. I don't want anyone in various baggage handling areas to be able to have access to my stuff.
I use the Sentry Locks (TSA Approved). I never put anything valuable other than my clothing of course in my suitcases but I want them locked.
Have you ever thought that people in airports could deposit things in your unlocked suitcase and use it to 'courier' contraband to another airport?
If your suitcase is unlocked that could and does happen and you will have no defence if Customs stops you.
TSA looked through my suitcase on a recent flight and left me a note to that effect. I don't want anyone in various baggage handling areas to be able to have access to my stuff.
TBH if there are master keys to these approved locks you can bet your bottom dollar that baggage handlers can get hold of them if they want to. We had 5 padlocks broken off our cases by Customs some years ago. Quite how you would make a claim if anything went missing I'm not sure.
I called my insurance re leaving the cases open for travel to the US and they said we would be covered as it was a legal requirement by the TSA. Not sure if all insurances would cover you so it may be worth a call.
luci
luci
hbrac- if your luggage is damaged or there is theft you would claim through your airline.
luci- you can lock your suitcases provided they are Sentry Locks -TSA approved. You can buy them at any Target or Walmart or online.
luci- you can lock your suitcases provided they are Sentry Locks -TSA approved. You can buy them at any Target or Walmart or online.
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