MCO and locked bags

Just wanting some advice from someone who has flown back from MCO recently. Do you still need to leave your bags unlocked when checking in? I know in 2003 you did, and because we weren't told, one of the lock on our suitcases got cut off by the TSA guys [:(!] So, when we flew back from LAX in 2005 we made sure our bags were locked with TSA approved locks, but it ended up that you went with yours bags to be screened, so they could have just been locked with normal locks as they got us to open the locks for them anyway [:?] So, what I'm wondering is what is the procedure with locks and suitcases at MCO at the moment? Do you still check in, then the TSA screens your bags long after they've dissapeared behind check-in, or do you check-in and take your bags over to the screening desks yourself as we did at LAX?

I always leave locks open coming back from US and carry on all valubles.My samsonites have integreal non TSA locks they would total my kit with their jemmy:D.

[HighFlyer]

I started this thread back in 2004 asking the same thing. (AFAIK, its been required that your bags are left unlocked in the US from January 2003 )

The only word of caution i would give is to check your travel insurance. My policy back then was with a company who voided luggage claims if your cases went unlocked so i had to lock mine when travelling in and out of the US. The TSA managed to break one case but that was more through sloppy workmanship than inability to get into the case.

Nowadays i dont bother to lock them, i figured that if somebody wanted to get into my case to steal something then it wouldnt be too difficult, so i might as well save myself the grief of repeated suitcase claims and hassle with the TSA. I take all real valuables in carry-on.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks,
Sarah

Leave bags unlocked. We were advised in MCO and LAS. They will leave you a nice little note if they have been in your bag.

The last 12 months I've been through MCO twice, and both times my cases with approved TSA Locks on have been opened with the TSA booklet being placed inside !

You have been warned - Any locked are likely to be opened !

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright
The last 12 months I've been through MCO twice, and both times my cases with approved TSA Locks on have been opened with the TSA booklet being placed inside !

You have been warned - Any locked is likely to be opened !

Did they actually break the TSA locks, or just open them and reclose them? I've got no problem with them being opened and relocked, but would be pretty annoyed if they broke the TSA locks [:(!]

We'll just stick with using our soft cases and the TSA locks then I think. Our Samsonite hard cases have the built in locks so wouldn't want them getting broken, but I'd prefer to have my cases locked in some way, which I just couldn't do with the hard cases. At least with the soft ones we can use the TSA locks.

Cheers for the advice guys and gals

Originally posted by alanjones

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright
The last 12 months I've been through MCO twice, and both times my cases with approved TSA Locks on have been opened with the TSA booklet being placed inside !

You have been warned - Any locked is likely to be opened !

Did they actually break the TSA locks, or just open them and reclose them? I've got no problem with them being opened and relocked, but would be pretty annoyed if they broke the TSA locks [:(!]

We'll just stick with using our soft cases and the TSA locks then I think. Our Samsonite hard cases have the built in locks so wouldn't want them getting broken, but I'd prefer to have my cases locked in some way, which I just couldn't do with the hard cases. At least with the soft ones we can use the TSA locks.

Cheers for the advice guys and gals

Last couple of times I have come through MCO I have had TSA approved locks on my luggage. Both times the luggage has been opened. ISTBC but isn't that the whole point - TSA operatives have a master code to open the approved locks and then check luggage without damaging your locks:)

Originally posted by alanjones

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright
The last 12 months I've been through MCO twice, and both times my cases with approved TSA Locks on have been opened with the TSA booklet being placed inside !

You have been warned - Any locked is likely to be opened !

Did they actually break the TSA locks, or just open them and reclose them? I've got no problem with them being opened and relocked, but would be pretty annoyed if they broke the TSA locks [:(!]

We'll just stick with using our soft cases and the TSA locks then I think. Our Samsonite hard cases have the built in locks so wouldn't want them getting broken, but I'd prefer to have my cases locked in some way, which I just couldn't do with the hard cases. At least with the soft ones we can use the TSA locks.

Cheers for the advice guys and gals

They opened them with their special key, and then re - locked them

Never never never never never never never never ... leave your bags unlocked. Buy Airline security approved locks.

If your insurance find out that the your case was unlocked and you make a claim, kiss goodbye to your settlement.

Oh, and on the samsonite issue, if I can open most peoples samsonite locks, I think the TSA can... It is the combi's they have a problem with and are likely to 'pop' open the case.

Paul

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright

Originally posted by alanjones

Originally posted by andrew.m.wright
The last 12 months I've been through MCO twice, and both times my cases with approved TSA Locks on have been opened with the TSA booklet being placed inside !

You have been warned - Any locked is likely to be opened !

Did they actually break the TSA locks, or just open them and reclose them? I've got no problem with them being opened and relocked, but would be pretty annoyed if they broke the TSA locks [:(!]

We'll just stick with using our soft cases and the TSA locks then I think. Our Samsonite hard cases have the built in locks so wouldn't want them getting broken, but I'd prefer to have my cases locked in some way, which I just couldn't do with the hard cases. At least with the soft ones we can use the TSA locks.

Cheers for the advice guys and gals

They opened them with their special key, and then re - locked them

Cool, just wanted to check thats what they did. I know thats what is meant to be done, but on some other forums I've heard of people winging 'cause their TSA locks were cut off.

Last time I came home from MCO, I had a bag locked with a non-TSA approved padlock. I gave the TSA screener the bag & told him it was locked, but I had the key in my pocket & offered to wait in case they needed to open it. "No need to wait Sir" was the reply. This translates into "No need to wait Sir, we have bolt cutters for non-approved locks".

Yes, they cut the lock & did not re-seal the bag in any way, even with a plastic cable-tie or similar. OK, ultimately it's my fault for using a non-TSA appropved lock, but I offered to wait & unlock the bag. There was no backlog of bags waiting to be screened, the TSA guy put my bag straight onto the X-Ray belt, so the lock was probably chopped within a couple of minutes of me leaving the bag.

I'm buying TSA approved padlocks whilst in the US before I fly home next time!

It would be nice if they took the time to re-lock luggage. When we came back from MCO we gave them Samsonite hard cases with the correct combinations. They took my bag to one side and checked it.

When it arrived at LHR (actually at my house because BA lost it) it was still open! I don't mind leaving the case unlocked but at least have the courtesy to lock it when you have searched it.[:(!]

My wife forgot that we weren't going to lock them and left her necklaces in her case. It arrived, unlocked, but very fortunately which necklaces still in....phew![:0]

[honey lamb]

I have used cable ties for when in the US, especially after they cut off one of my locks. Seems to work

[preiffer]

These do me just fine.

I know if someone's been in there - and if one's broken without a TSA note & matching blue cable tie on my bag when I collect it, straight over to the baggage desk...

Not convinced that the TSA locks are any different to anti-tamper cable ties - you don't think the baggage handlers had the master keys within days of their release? [ii]

Info for people with Samsonite hard cases with combination locks - if your locks do get broken by security (or anyone else) ring Samsonite head office in Belgium and they will send you replacement locks free of charge. We had ours broken on our return from Orlando soon after 9/11 and the new locks were sent out within a day or so. It only needs the removal of 4 screws from the old locks and the new lock fitted with the same screws.

Katie

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS lock your bags.

Don't listen to the advice of the TSA. If you read the VS T&C's you'll see they don't suppport this advise and more likely neither does your travel insurance company.

Just get the TSA approved locks to make things easier - but just lock them whatever you do!

If you are worried about your hard cases, buy one of those locking luggage straps. you feel more secure as you have locked the bag, and it is easy to identify on the carousel, and if the TSA really needs to get in, they cut the strap, which is cheaper to replace than some of the nicer hard cases.....