We are nervous about flying to the States without having our hold luggage properly locked. Yet if the US authorities decide to search a bag, I’m told they break the lock. Can you help? Dean Taylor, Brighton

Doc Holiday responds: Locking bags that you are checking into the hold of an aircraft, on any flight, is a sensible precaution against pilfering. However, you are right in saying that the US authorities can break the lock without any liability if they decide to search your bag.

There are two points here. One is that once your bag has been opened and the lock broken and is now an easier target for pilferers. However, it’s always a good idea to keep valuable items in your hand luggage. So for cameras, jewellery, and laptops, you should always keep them with you in your carry on luggage.

Secondly, a piece of luggage that has been wrecked by forcing open the lock for an inspection may need to be replaced. I usually use a bag that can be secured by a separate padlock for trips the States, rather than an expensive bag where the locking system is actually part of its construction. That way, it will then just be a few pounds to replace the padlock, rather than a few hundred to replace the bag.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has two lock suppliers, which it has special equipment and codes to open without breaking the mechanism (supplied to them by the lock companies). These are Travel Sentry and Safe Skies Locks. Their locks carry a special logo, and can be bought on the High Street at BHS, John Lewis, and Nomad Travel Store, or WH Smiths and the Rolling Luggage Company at most airports.

For information on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures, visit www.tsa.gov

The responses from our readers:

My wife and I purchased these 'special' padlocks last year on our visit to New York. Although there is a special key number stamped on the bottom of the padlock for the US Transportation Security Administration, both our padlocks were forced open on the return journey. If they want to search your bags, which I understand is normal, they will just force the padlock. It is not worth the bother of going to the added expense of purchasing these padlocks Steve Hazeldine

I believe that your advice concerning TSA-approved locks is incorrect. I have personally had several locks cut from cases by US authorities in the last few years. Earlier this year I bought a TSA-approved lock at Logan airport in Boston, and used it for the first time last month. Upon arrival in Chicago I was surprised to find that it had also been cut off. I spoke to TSA at O'Hare who told me that TSA-approved locks are only approved for domestic travel, not international Roddy Fisher

Take a step back before you advise the general public that these US-approved locks are the best method of protection for your luggage. In my opinion, these devices provide a false sense of security. But there is a product that will provide a true sense of security - the people at www.securetag.ca will address all concerns of luggage mishandling David Zovic

I have lived in LA for 14 years and have travelled in and out many times. I was dumbfounded two years ago when, to remove one of the small devices that Virgin give you free to stop zips coming undone - a small cable with a red screw cap on one end that a child could undo - they chopped through it, the case and the zip. It really was wilful damage. Three letters, two faxes, several emails, countless telephone calls and ten months later all I received was a cheque for $50 for a ruined, brand new case! John Richardson

I recently flew to Las Vegas via Atlanta. I bought the fancy locks but upon arrival in Vegas both cases had been opened and they had put a security sticker inside. Unfortunately for me they 'stole' one of the locks so on the return journey I left notes inside my case saying 'please do not steal my locks.' My replacement had been a normal lock but even this was cut off and was obviously then thrown away. In the future, I would secure the case with plastic baggage ties and leave replacements inside with a note asking them to re-secure when they have finished Neil Jones

When you go into the US, your case may be locked on the initial flight. After passing through immigration you then pick up your suitcase to go through customs and if you are taking a domestic flight from there, strictly speaking your suitcase must be unlocked. If this is your destination airport it is normally the case that your baggage is sent to a carousel elsewhere for pick-up and for this it is advised that it is unlocked as it may go through a scanner even if it is not being put back on an aeroplane. If you are returning from the US, it must be unlocked for domestic flights, but if you are flying direct to the UK most airports allow you to lock your bags, as after check-in you take them to the security scanner and tell them that you will open them if required. It is really only domestic flights where you need to be concerned about the security of your belongings. I agree with you about a cheap external lock Tim Holland-Smith, Suffolk

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