Not allowed to lock checked luggage!?!
 

Saturday at MSP I checked in for F9
MSP-DEN, and there were TSA people and baggage screening equipment behind the check in counter. The agent asked me if my suitcase was locked, I said yes, and she said it had to be unlocked. She said, "The security screeners will lock it after they inspect it." She then asked how to lock my suitcase and told the screeners to lock it when they were done. After I claimed my bag at DEN, I could tell it had been gone through. Nothing seems to be missing, but this is B)(*&&)t. If they have to search your luggage it should be done like customs, where you can open it and then lock it. Has anyone else encountered this or know of plans for after 010103 when screening of checked luggage will be mandatory? Daze

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Craig6z
Buzz & United Moderator
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I have a hard-shell container for my golf clubs which has built-in locks (that require a key).

It should be interesting the next time I travel with that.

[This message has been edited by Billiken (edited 12-16-2002).]

They did this for a while in CLE. You either had to unlock your bag (for the whole trip) or wait for 20-30 min. until they screened the bag "downstairs" before they would give you a boarding pass, which was required to get through security.

The reason they gave was that if they had to physically search the bag they wanted you there to open it. They did not want to have to "hunt you down" (their words not mine) and possibly delay a plane departure.

At the time the wait in the security line was anywhere from 30 min to 1.5 hours and it was really killed any time you could spend in the club.

I just started using only carry-on and taking a chance they wanted to search my underwear in front of the world.

After about a month of this BS they quit and I have never been asked again. I always lock it and they have never had a problem since.

Locks are supposed to keep things out as well as keep things in.

The problem with this new method is that there is no way to prove whether contraband was in the luggage originally or was planted by fiendish officials.

So under this method the most that should be allowed to happen is if illegal items are silently removed.

(Locking luggage does not protect against theft as they could always steal the whole thing.)

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[This message has been edited by AllanJ (edited 12-19-2002).]

This is indeed a new dumb holiday recommendation from the TSA.

Do you suppose they will be responsible for theft as a result? Hah!!

CNN posted this not too long ago:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/12/19/tsa...ing/index.html

Notice the article says "we are not responsible" for missing items. Exactly who is? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/mad.gif

Isn't this a clear message to fliers that you can no longer safely check in luggage?

It's a twist on the Onion article about banning all passengers to ensure safety.

I will not check in luggage again. I'd rather pay to ship it to my destination...

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Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
www.biztrip.com

I dunno; this works for me. Don't put valuables in your checked luggage.

The liability issue ("we are not responsible") is if the luggage gets damaged while they're tring to open it (breaking/cutting off locks...). Cases of pilferage will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the airline, TSA and the airport sharing responsibility.

This isn't the crisis that you're trying to make it become.

PDH

I don't think it's a crisis for domestic trips, but I will be very hesitant to check bags on international trips in the future.

I never put valuables in my luggage. What I'm worried about is the repacking process. TSA may be careful to repack, or they may be short on time and shovel all your stuff back in.

On rare occassions I have had the need to check in boxes, which have carefully packed fragile items, and there is no guarantee that the TSA will carefully handle these items and repack with care.

Also at the airports I've seen you have to go thru the TSA baggage check before you can check in the luggage. This is good from a luggage security viewpoint, but terrible from a check in efficiency and waiting view point.

So yes, it is becoming the crisis that "we" make it out to be.

Another hassle to contend with for domestic AND international travel.

Hmmm, plastic ties. How do you suppose that you will open your luggage, when you arrive at your destination? You had to pack you pocket knive or scissors in your checked bag, because you can't carry it on the plane.

With nail clippers which are allowed in carry on bags.