Does TSA not leave a note in opened checked baggage anymore?
 

I checked a bag yesterday that had a bottle of scotch in it. I locked the bag using an old (pre-TSA) luggage lock I've had forever. WHen I got the bag back, I saw that the lock had been cut but there was no "We searched your bag" note from the TSA. Nothing was missing.

Does the TSA not leave a note anymore?

It seems to be a recurring issue.

Since 2005, when I started traveling through the US with the TSA, my checked bags have been opened at least a dozen times. At least 5 TSA approved locks cut. Damage to items in baggage that was impossible to have been due to handling.
I have seen a note once.

TSA might be "required" to leave a note if they search a checked bag, but the amount of times they actually do is minuscule.

It sometimes still does, and sometimes it does not. The sign of the times is on how they spent and spend money on the notices.

Could the lock have been cut without the bag having been opened? That's also another possible explanation.

I used to see that note every once and while but haven't seen it in several years. I do not lock my bags, but I have also not seen anything to suggest they've been searched through. Nothing has ever been broken or stolen.

What's the point of TSA locks if the TSA cuts them anyway?

Your naive if you think the TSA is the only one looking inside luggage. Just hope it is the good guys and not someone using your luggage as a drug mule.

We flew last month. I was sure two of our bags would draw a search and suspected a third would. 3 notes.

I collected two of the notes in my checked bag on my current trip to NRT, one for the first flight and the connecting flight.:confused:

I received a note last month flying out of LAX

I know my bag was searched on a trip last month, but I can't tell if they left a note in the front pocket (they didn't put a note in the main area of the suitcase) because they put a lock that isn't mine on that pocket. Thankfully I had nothing but extra ziploc bags in that pocket but it's now unusable because I haven't figured out how to get that lock off. Any one know how to get a TSA lock off a bag without a key - without breaking the suitcase?

Bolt cutter. You can rent from many Home Depot's.

The typical luggage lock can be cut with a hacksaw easily enough. No need to rent a bolt cutter.

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Here is a non TSA lock that they failed miserably to remove. TSA finally cut the zipper pulls.

http://www.sci.utah.edu/~allen/misc/LockPicture.JPG

As for the TSA love notes, I see them fairly regularly.

The typical zipper suitcase can be largely opened by just using a pen or letter opener, even if the zipper pulls are locked together. That doesn't seem to be the approach the TSA takes when unable to unlock the lock on a bag -- whether by measure of TSA search notices in bags or otherwise. Expensive locks for TSA-searched bags -- with or without the notices -- are subject to being destroyed by the TSA. Just a practical thing to keep in mind when purchasing luggage and luggage accessories.

I got an inspection note from the TSA two days ago -- I guess checking in a backpack with two laptops in it raised some suspicion :)

??? Wow -- Checking in two laptops? It's amazing that they survived the trip without being stolen.

i have that note too, but that was last week.
so that note is still in use =) hope that helps.

and i travel with a laptop and a tablet all the time.... shld be okay?

I have faith in the humanity ;)

I've had my checked bags opened when transiting through MIA and ORD on international-international and both times notes were left. This was in August and December last year.

No. Too much density IMHO to see anything clearly on the x-ray machines. I've travelled with 3 laptops and a tablet in my carry-on , nobody ever got suspicious when I started unpacking them.

We knew they went through one of our bags by leaving a "present" - A big heavy duty box cutter. Definitely wasn't ours, found it when opening the suitcase at home.

I get the love note from time to time still.

Screeners have the final say on whether or not they will leave a love note.