Is it a problem to padlock your suitcase flying to USA?

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Jan 5, 2010, 2:04 am

#16

Cheetah_SA

Join Date: Mar 2004

Location: CPT

Programs: BA BD SA

Posts: 4,467

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewuk

... (although then you have the chicken and egg situation of where to carry something to snip them open at your destination!!)

I find a nail clipper works well - plus it is small and not a security issue.

Jan 5, 2010, 2:35 am

#17

FenLandK

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Cambs

Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, Scandic 3rd Floor, PC Pleb, FB Off White, Tufty Club

Posts: 2,836

I've been using TSA approved locks for years and never had a problem (in either direction - touch wood). I've had one occasion where they inspected my bag, as they left a note, but it was left pretty much exactly as I had packed it. I've heard stories that the TSA can be pretty brutal with bags that are locked with anything other than a TSA approved lock.

I've also avoided expensive (looking or actual) luggage, on the basis that it's less likely to be targeted by the casual thief.

Jan 6, 2010, 3:36 am

#18

Hansmann

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Germany

Programs: BAEC Gold

Posts: 64

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheetah_SA

I find a nail clipper works well - plus it is small and not a security issue.

I use cable-ties as well, they can also be opened with a lighter/matches .
Just be careful where you do it

.

When customs want to search your luggage, and you ask for tools to cut the ties, it's also interesting what serious knives all the agents seem to carrry .

Jan 6, 2010, 4:22 am

#19

Dr Dave

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: NE England

Programs: BAEC Gold; Priority Club Gold

Posts: 448

OK, I have a question that has bugged me over Christmas. I have an old suitcase with two built in combination locks. This pre-dates TSA approved locks (which were introduced in 2003) by at least five years. Each of the two locks is set to a different combination.

I flew out of San Francisco just before Christmas but accidentally locked my case. The case took a week to catch up with me (weather issues at Heathrow), but when I opened it the TSA search paper was inside. The locks were intact and the combinations unchanged. The search paper was dated and timed for about 30 mins after I checked in.

How did they get it open without breaking the locks?

Jan 6, 2010, 5:51 am

#20

FenLandK

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Cambs

Programs: Mucci, BAEC Silver, Scandic 3rd Floor, PC Pleb, FB Off White, Tufty Club

Posts: 2,836

I have it on good authority that UK customs have some very clever techniques for getting into locked luggage, even with combinations and zips. The person I spoke to couldn't elaborate more (strangely enough), but they thought that the TSA would just take whatever instrument was closest to open the bag (including a Stanley knife by all accounts).

Obviously some of these techniques have made it across the pond.

Jan 6, 2010, 5:58 am

#21

redsailor

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: Northumberland, UK

Programs: BA Silver

Posts: 441

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Flying back from the States, the TSA lock on one of my parents' cases had been removed and replaced with a similar (but different) TSA lock. However the combination was the same as it had been on the missing lock!!! WIERD!