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
