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When TSA is cuaght with it's pants down, it plays a different tune.
At every airport in the US, we are asked to leave our checked bags unlocked asthey go through screening. At some airports, I have been able to lock it afterwards. LAst saturday, at MSY, I told the TSA screener that I would like to hang around so that I can lock my suitcase after it has been screened. I was told, I must lock the suitcase before I hand it to TSA. I am sure it's because of the theft problems at MSY. Isn't it an admission that it is possible to screen locked bags. But TSA would take the easy way out except when it's caught with it's pants down.
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Originally Posted by Yaatri
At every airport in the US, we are asked to leave our checked bags unlocked asthey go through screening. At some airports, I have been able to lock it afterwards. LAst saturday, at MSY, I told the TSA screener that I would like to hang around so that I can lock my suitcase after it has been screened. I was told, I must lock the suitcase before I hand it to TSA. I am sure it's because of the theft problems at MSY. Isn't it an admission that it is possible to screen locked bags. But TSA would take the easy way out except when it's caught with it's pants down.
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Originally Posted by myrgirl
Sure, it's always possible to screen a locked bag. No problem at all. But clearing an alarm on a locked bag is impossible.
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Originally Posted by Yaatri
At every airport in the US, we are asked to leave our checked bags unlocked asthey go through screening. At some airports, I have been able to lock it afterwards. LAst saturday, at MSY, I told the TSA screener that I would like to hang around so that I can lock my suitcase after it has been screened. I was told, I must lock the suitcase before I hand it to TSA. I am sure it's because of the theft problems at MSY. Isn't it an admission that it is possible to screen locked bags. But TSA would take the easy way out except when it's caught with it's pants down.
If TSA has the master key to the lock, a screener will unlock the bag, do the search and then re-lock the bag. That's why it's always best to stick around and observe your bag get screened. Not always practical in some cases (such as arriving TOO early; if there's a backlog of bags, then they are prioritized by flight departure times).If TSA doesn't have a master key to the lock, it will attempt to notify the passenger. If the passenger doesn't respond or if it's too close to departure time, then TSA will cut the lock off. This has been discussed in here repeatedly. I suggest you browse other threads related to this topic. |
Sure its possible
Originally Posted by Yaatri
At every airport in the US, we are asked to leave our checked bags unlocked asthey go through screening. At some airports, I have been able to lock it afterwards. LAst saturday, at MSY, I told the TSA screener that I would like to hang around so that I can lock my suitcase after it has been screened. I was told, I must lock the suitcase before I hand it to TSA. I am sure it's because of the theft problems at MSY. Isn't it an admission that it is possible to screen locked bags. But TSA would take the easy way out except when it's caught with it's pants down.
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Originally Posted by Bart
Incorrect assumption. TSA used to require that all bags be unlocked. Due probably to passenger complaints, TSA now allows checked bags to be locked. However, if a checked bag alarms, then one of the following is going to occur:
If TSA has the master key to the lock, a screener will unlock the bag, do the search and then re-lock the bag. That's why it's always best to stick around and observe your bag get screened. Not always practical in some cases (such as arriving TOO early; if there's a backlog of bags, then they are prioritized by flight departure times).If TSA doesn't have a master key to the lock, it will attempt to notify the passenger. If the passenger doesn't respond or if it's too close to departure time, then TSA will cut the lock off. This has been discussed in here repeatedly. I suggest you browse other threads related to this topic. You fail to see the contradiction. At DTW, TSA insisted that the bag MUST be unlocked before it is handed to the screeners but at MSY they insisted that it MUST be locked. The question is what is proper and appropriate. |
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