Was my "lock" removed?
Nov 13, 2003 | 12:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 234
Was my "lock" removed?
Due to circumstances beyond my control, er, I did too much shopping, I ended up with bags checked on the way back from EWR on Tuesday. I'd rather not do it at all but I keep some of those wire and plastic numbered gizmos for such occasions, so I had one on my suitcase.
When I got my bags back, the tamper-proof tag on the suitcase was gone. When I use these things, I do as much as possible to protect it from snagging on other items, and it actually takes me a good bit of work to open. It falls off if you snip the wire, however.
It didn't appear to have been subject to unusually abusive handling that might have broken the tag (the zipper pulls were in the exact same location, no obvious new scrapes or scratches, the plastic accessory snap buckle was still tucked under the handle where I left it.) There was no notice or sticker that it had been opened, and didn't appear to have been inspected.
It looks exactly like somebody clipped the wire and pulled the tag off. I put these things on for a reason, now that I can't use a real lock I still want to avoid having my belongings strewn about when it comes unzipped in handling.
So what's the deal with this? It's not a lock, if the TSA wants to open my bag it is trivial to open the thing. So why cut the tag off if it isn't actually being inspected? Is this the practice at some airports but not others?
When I got my bags back, the tamper-proof tag on the suitcase was gone. When I use these things, I do as much as possible to protect it from snagging on other items, and it actually takes me a good bit of work to open. It falls off if you snip the wire, however.
It didn't appear to have been subject to unusually abusive handling that might have broken the tag (the zipper pulls were in the exact same location, no obvious new scrapes or scratches, the plastic accessory snap buckle was still tucked under the handle where I left it.) There was no notice or sticker that it had been opened, and didn't appear to have been inspected.
It looks exactly like somebody clipped the wire and pulled the tag off. I put these things on for a reason, now that I can't use a real lock I still want to avoid having my belongings strewn about when it comes unzipped in handling.
So what's the deal with this? It's not a lock, if the TSA wants to open my bag it is trivial to open the thing. So why cut the tag off if it isn't actually being inspected? Is this the practice at some airports but not others?
Nov 14, 2003 | 4:06 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 928
I have been in our new bag screening area under the airport and have seen several tags,straps, name tags etc etc laying in catch pans and on the floor under the conveyor belt system. As a safety committee rep I remind the screeners that it could be their hands instead of tags on the floor.
Nov 18, 2003 | 9:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,673
If you didn't have a pamphlet in the baggage chances are that TSA didn't open it. Remember there are other people handling the baggage. Air Carrier baggage handlers have been caught many times removing items from bags.
Personally I will only use a carry-on. If I can't carry it then I don't need it.
Personally I will only use a carry-on. If I can't carry it then I don't need it.