TSA-approved Locks
 

Are they worth it?

Especially if you travel overseas?

Do EU countries have the ability to unlock these if necessary?

Do they require checked baggage to be unlocked or otherwise accessible to security agents?

I think a good TSA combo lock is well worth it - I have flown for a bit with out them - as my old non TSA key locks were cut about 18 months ago in states. I have had my bags arrive with items missing in the states, africa & middle east. And my complaints basically ignored. A good combination lock gives you peace of mind - keeps the borderline folks honest.

Generally the security checks are done in your presence in Europe - avoiding the TSA thievery that goes on all too frequently (once is too many times).

As for TSA locks - remember every lock has the 'master' combination in it - so they can easily be copied.

I use roasting baggies to hold loose items in - avoids things getting left behind in the security area.

I also use a Pac-Safe (www.pac-safe.com) on the INSIDE of my bag - holding all my goodies - and TSA has never cut it, nor have I lost anything.
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I had my TSA locks go missing (did they forget to reattach them? :( ) while traveling in the US .

In all my years of travelling in Europe, I have never had a bag opened without me being present. It just isn´t done over there. You know, traveller´s privacy and such. Things that TSA is painfully unaware of.

Or TSA just doesn't acknowledge such rights.

So European countries don't have more stringent baggage screening after 9/11 or London?

Europe got more stringent baggage checking after Lockerbie, but even then they didn't see the need to have unlocked baggage

Our last trip we had 2 of 4 go missing--no inspection notice, no signs the bags had been opened. (I don't think they would have tucked the straps in the same way I did.)

They've agreed to pay the replacement cost.

Have they paid it yet? Or given you a timeline? Just curious.

Don't bother with TSA padlocks, they'll just disappear. Buy a suitcase with built-in TSA locks.

Does someone out there make zippered softside luggage with TSA built ins?
I have never had hardsided (plastic) luggage.

Hello FTers,

I think that all bags are X-rayed, so there's no reason for the TSA (here or in Europe) to search through the bags without us presence.

What I use for locks are those cable ties. I keep a bag of them in front pocket of my checked bag along with a pair of scissors. It's inexpensive and you will know if someone had broken into your bag.

I have the TSA-approved locks, but haven't used them yet.

David

For years, I locked my check baggage whenever I flew just to have anyone I traveled with tell me that it didn't matter if I locked my bag or not; if someone wanted to get into it that they would. I really wasn't worried about theft. In my younger days, I always over packed and was afraid that the zipper would move around or part and I'd lose my luggage that way! Not that a lock would have helped that anyway--but it was the mentality of the young!

I bought TSA-approved locks last year. I used them only once. No problems though. I don't pack anything of major value in checked baggages and I no longer overpack, so I just have found it easier not to lock at all.

Because I work at an airport and see the belt system you all have to know that there are broken locks all over the conveyor belts. I would always bring my bags inside to check them. The street drop at my airport has a huge drop off that connects to the main belt, it is not very gentle and the bags get caught and stuck if they are wheels down so they are beat up and then they get shot out of another machine, handled two more times after tsa and then two more times at the destination. That is why your suitcases look so bad sometimes.
It is rough on them and I see locks, tags, the medal pulls, etc all over the belts. Twist ties and zip locks are your best bet.