TSA and VS take turns in wrecking my case

Waiting for my case to come round belt 4 at LHR last night and I see a case that looks like mine. Can't be mind though as that one has something wrapped round it.

On closer inspection it is tape holding the case together, but it looks like my case. A hard sided Samsonite "Spinner" with my 'Upper Class' tag on (that was included in one of the previous amenity packs).

I grab the case and put on the floor and let go of the handle to check the name tag. The case then leans over and fall flat on it's side. What on earth is going on?

I check the name tag and it is my case. The tape doing a poor job of keeping the case shut is TSA tape. On closer inspection two screwdriver marks can be seen and one of the side locks is completely smashed open. OK so the TSA have been in my case. Nothing overly special here but I really refuse to believe that didn't have one of around 4 or 5 different Samsonite case keys. I lock the case for security but leave the combi un-set.

Now I set to looking at why the case fell over. 1 of the 4 wheels from the base of the case has been ripped off. This is the 3rd time VS has damaged my case. At least this time it seams to have been cleanly removed unlike the last twice where the wheels was punched into the case cracking the side and the other time where a hole was punctured into the side of the case.

Anyway I took the case to the VS luggage desk where the woman behind the counter offered me the cheapest Samsonite case she had. "You have to be joking?" I asked her to which she did not seem amused.

Anyway I now have a letter from the TSA informing me of the bag search (nothing missing) as well as a letter from VS with details of the Samsonite repair centre. Even when Samsonite repair it (if they can) my locks are now knackered! It's not as if I could put a TSA approved lock on the case as they are built into the openers.

Ooooh, I am sooooo mad.

I could have made a better job of forcing the locks. You would think someone who does it all day would be more skilled.

Paul

I have had 2 cases similar to yours damaged during trips on other airlines, i don't believe the Airline to be at fault, rather than the baggage system and handling at the airports. However, the Airline are the ones to put it right.

I now do not bother with expensive cases or ones that look like they might be fragile. Incidentally, the cheap Samsonite one that BA gave me after 1 of it's 4 wheels was ripped off is still going strong.

With trips to the US you always run the risk of the TSA inspecting the case, and you are right, you would think they had a standard set of Samsonite keys. I typically leave the combination release at it's default and just rotate 1 number and do not lock the clasps, that way they should not damage anything should they want to be nosey.

best to leave them open as if they want to see inside and its locked damage is inevitable from past experience

[preiffer]

Why are people still locking cases with non-TSA approved locks? It's been going on long enough for people to know:

Going to the USA? Use either a TSA approved lock OR something like Tamper Seals. Problem solved. Failing that - DON'T LOCK IT.

I hear people at work, with amazing regularity, telling of their cases being damaged - 9/10, they've locked it before a US flight.

While I sympathise with the physical damage to the rest of the bag, Paul - I can't see how the TSA should be expected to be "expert lock pickers" when the rule is quite clear - "DO NOT LOCK YOUR BAG"


It's 5 years since the rule came in, guys... [:w]



(Oh, and the "I move just one digit on the combination lock" theory? If only EVERYONE followed the same theory - and TOLD the TSA that, I'm sure it'd be fine. Is it really the TSA screener's job to work out how to crack every passenger's secret "quirk" they've applied to their locking system?)

Why can't the idiot TSA do what most Asian airport seem to do and x-ray baggage as it moves onto the belt from the check in desk. 9 times out of 10 I'm called for a little chat in the inspection room at the end of the check in island, where I personally unlock my case and crack a little joke (usually lost in translation) about me being a smelly westerner who really does need all those cans of deoderant.

I saw a great program on discovery channel a while back about Chicago OHare.... The most amasing thing I didn't know about was the almost total automation of the baggage handling systems.

The bags pass through multiple "curtains" of bar code reading lasers which route the bag to its destination. If your tag has become obscured and the bar code can't be read it is routed to a manual scanning area where someone who normally has very little to do is woken up to hand scan the label.....
The only trouble with this is if your bag has ended up back on its wheels; the conveyor will stop at the hand scan station, but the bag will wheel on its merry way back into the system without the system knowing where it is going!

Facinating program!

I agree, it's easier not to lock your case - and I know we've had ours opened recently. The problem here is this - if you don't lock your case and it's stolen or damaged - then where do you stand with regards to insurance? Don't they always insist on things being locked???

Sorry about your troubles but really I agree with Paul - simply do not lock your case if coming from the US and you don't have a TSA approved lock. Similarly, don't leave valuables in your hold luggage in case they disappear, although I believe the risk of this is much hyped over reality.

Originally posted by slinky09
Sorry about your troubles but really I agree with Paul - simply do not lock your case if coming from the US and you don't have a TSA approved lock. Similarly, don't leave valuables in your hold luggage in case they disappear, although I believe the risk of this is much hyped over reality.

Sorry the case has been ruined but I'd echo that the warnings are clear (and have been around long enough).For our Samsonites/Delseys I've bought TSA approved luggage straps (cheap enough in Walgreens etc and you can buy them in the UK) which do the job OK (even if they look a bit naff).I've just replaced my original TSA approved locks for the soft cases with new ones that have a green and red indicator on them which shows if the lock has been opened so you know even before you find the little "greetings slip" from the TSA that the case has been inspected. Again cheap enough in Walgreens/Target etc.

I've had non-TSA approved locks cut off my bags by the TSA - most annoying thing was that I told the TSA guy I had the key for the lock & offered to wait in case he wanted it opening [as he put the bag through the X-ray]. The reply I got was "no need to wait sir", so I didn't. They must have cut the lock within 1 minute of me leaving the screening area.

Oh well, lesson learnt. I have since bought TSA approved locks with the red / green indicator that shows if the bag has been opened. They were only about $10 each too. As others have said on here, if you travel to the USA, use a TSA approved lock.

Originally posted by preiffer
Why are people still locking cases with non-TSA approved locks? ...

Going to the USA? Use either a TSA approved lock OR something like Tamper Seals. Problem solved. Failing that - DON'T LOCK IT..

I know and understand what you are saying but I can't do that. My case is a samsonite 'crusair' style case. I don't know the model number and they don't seem to sell them anywhere other than the samsonite outlets now (may discontinued product). Anyway, I have found the most similar product here. You will be able to see that I cannot use the tamper seal products and if I don't lock them any slight knock on the case pops the locks open spilling my contents everywhere, so I don't have a choice other than to replace my case. But why? When I naturally need to replace my case I will ensure that I have the ability to use TSA approved lock.

Any why is not acceptable for me to believe that the TSA screener should be expert lock pickers? I am expected to know all aspects of my job. Can you imagine me hammering the case off a PC because I thought it may have a virus?

Just because the TSA have specified this for 5 years doesn't make it right! Given 5 years practice at opening case I expect slightly more than attacking the locks with a screwdriver and hammer.

I see you have no comment about VS busting my wheel. I thought you might add that I was wrong for having a case with wheels :D

Paul

I have sort of similar cases in that there are three latch locks (one on each side edge, and a central one under the handle which has a "sunken" combination lock (set in below the level of the frame).

To deal with the TSA-thuggery problem I bit the bullet and invested in a couple of TSA approved combination lock-straps for about £10 each. You can put one of these through/under the case handle and around the body of the case, and pretty tightly too. If the lock gets bashed the strap doubles its value by keeping the lid tightly closed in any event.

The bags been searched several times recently (found the TSA leaflet inside) and there's been no damage etc. to the case. As for the VAA damage - that's just one of those things that happens and there's very little you can do about it.[:(] I'm sure it's happened to all of us more than once.[:(!]

Originally posted by preiffer
Why are people still locking cases with non-TSA approved locks? It's been going on long enough for people to know:

Going to the USA? Use either a TSA approved lock OR something like Tamper Seals. Problem solved. Failing that - DON'T LOCK IT.

I hear people at work, with amazing regularity, telling of their cases being damaged - 9/10, they've locked it before a US flight.

Or, save yourself $$$'s and go to http://www.maplin.co.uk and purchase a 100 pack of 3mm width cable ties for £2.26 available in a selection of colours. I keep a pair of snippers or toe nail clippers in the front zipper pocket of the hold baggage to undo them at the other end.

The point here is that while these will not stop the TSA opening your bag, or for that matter the determined thief, it _will_ stop the opportunistic thief, and give you immediate piece of mind at the other end when it comes off the carousel. And, if you choose the right colour, a way to more easily identify your own baggage.

Howard

Originally posted by Howard Long

Originally posted by preiffer
Why are people still locking cases with non-TSA approved locks? It's been going on long enough for people to know:

Going to the USA? Use either a TSA approved lock OR something like Tamper Seals. Problem solved. Failing that - DON'T LOCK IT.

I hear people at work, with amazing regularity, telling of their cases being damaged - 9/10, they've locked it before a US flight.

Or, save yourself $$$'s and go to http://www.maplin.co.uk and purchase a 100 pack of 3mm width cable ties for £2.26 available in a selection of colours. I keep a pair of snippers or toe nail clippers in the front zipper pocket of the hold baggage to undo them at the other end.

The point here is that while these will not stop the TSA opening your bag, or for that matter the determined thief, it _will_ stop the opportunistic thief, and give you immediate piece of mind at the other end when it comes off the carousel. And, if you choose the right colour, a way to more easily identify your own baggage.

Howard

Or do what they do in Mumbai, Xray the bags as you enter the terminal and seal them with that parcel strapping stuff... Great for security and accidentally popped locks... but a bit of a pain when you get to check in and find out you're overwieght and need to take some stuff out and hand carry it.

In fact the more I think about it, the more I realise that the rest of the world has far better solutions to the problem.
Why should I need to care that I either leave my case unlocked or get one with locks personally approved by George Bush himself?

I'm glad I haven't needed to travel to the US since 1999.... and long may it last.

I was forced to bite my tongue when flying out of Mumbai a few weeks ago. There was an American Chap getting all irate about the security rigamoral we all had to go through. He obviously hasn't been back to his homeland or the UK in recent years. I felt like telling him that his country started it, and at least it was security with a smile in Mumbai.

[Scrooge]

I have been ignoring this thread as best I can, but to me here is what it comes down to, you locked your case knowing full well that the TSA requires the case to be unlocked, this in itself will guarantee that the case is going to be opened.I am sorry but when you fly out of here you have to play by the TSA rules, it sucks I agree but we all have to live with them.

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

Originally posted by PVGSLF
I'm glad I haven't needed to travel to the US since 1999.... and long may it last.

I felt like telling him that his country started it, and at least it was security with a smile in Mumbai.

RANT

Please do stay home. All those American blokes who flew the jets into the WTC truly did start this whole air safety issue, didn't they? Silly Americans.

Is it just me or does this thread have a victim mentality at its core? Blame the airline. Blame the TSA. Blame everyone but one's self for buying a model of case self-admittedly not up to the demands of today's air travel.

[:(!]

END OF RANT

GJ

America and the TSA started the whole shoes of belts off cases unlocked or we break into them thing. And long before 11/9 american customs and immigration was a chore.
As I keep saying there are better ways to do it that many other places seem to have adopted without problem. Why does the TSA insist on doing it its own way at extra convenience to us?

[Scrooge]

Because they can [?]

While I don't agree with half the stuff they make us do, but in the end as I said before they make the rules we have to fly by and if it stops just one of these lunatics from flying another plane into a building then guess what, it was worth it to me.

Exactly.... Because they can!
And then there's Biometric Passports, and API and finger printing.... I don't see other countries in the world insisting on this, and yet most seem to be doing a good job at containing the Terrorist threat.

We are all treated as guilty until proven innocent when going to America, and whilst I have spent many a happy and interesting time in some beautiful parts, I just feel now there are too many hoops to jump through that it makes me feel unwelcome, and why should I spend my tourist dollars in a country that doesn't want me to go there.

As GJ respectfully suggested I will stay at home. Probably not making a great impact on tourist numbers admittedly, but it has been a conscious decision on my part not to go there in recent years.

If I want scenery I can go to France, if I want shopping I can go to China, where happily the Yuan is still closely pegged to the beautifully weak dollar making my pounds go even further.


Sorry.. drifted way off topic now.

[Scrooge]

Ok seeing as this is now turning into a political debate let me tell you where I stand to start.

If all these measures that the TSA make us go through every time we want to fly out of a US airport stops just one of these lunatic a*****es from flying another plane into an office build and killing 3000+ people then I am all for it.

Originally posted by PVGSLF
Exactly.... Because they can!
And then there's Biometric Passports, and API and finger printing.... I don't see other countries in the world insisting on this, and yet most seem to be doing a good job at containing the Terrorist threat.

You may want to take a look here
here
here
here
here

Man I could go on and on, but what it comes down to is the fact that we live in a world where some people want to kill others based on race and religious choices, this is not a new thing, it has been happening for centuries, if the TSA feels that it is doing it's job by opening up someones locked suit case then more power to them, I fly 30+ times a year, I know not to lock my suitcase, makes life easy for everyone.

Not a politcal debate, a methods debate.

Why can't the TSA do their screening before we are finally parted from our cases, with our full cooperation.

True, putting xray scanners on the baggage belt at every check-in position is probably cost prohibative in an existing airport. But if they can manage to do it effeciently with a couple of scanners upon entry to every check-in area in the chaos of Mumbai. Then I'm sure it can be done anywhere.

And how exactly does breaking the lock and looking in my hold baggage, on the way out of the US prevent me from hijacking the flight?

Seems like an effective terrorist plot would be to start rigging suitcases to look suspicious and have them explode when opened behind the scenes by TSA people... probably causing as much chaos to US air travel through broken baggage handling as any other method.... oh and the terrorist is long gone because he/she checked in her suitcase and then left the scene.

Bummer about your case, but in retrospect I think you will agree that the odds of it being smashed where worse than 50/50 by locking it.

I have never had a case come back from anywhere or any airline that has not been damaged to some extent, I like to think about buying really gucci cases, but the thought of damage weighed against cost pops in to my head before buying them. I had no idea airlines offered replacements.

Could someone kindly link me to somewhere I might buy some TSA straps.

Or why not make some V-Flyer branded straps and sell them here[}:)]

[Scrooge]

What I think they were thinking was to try and prevent another Lockerbie, they are looking at all the methods that have been used over the last 75 years.

Probably to do with the sheer numbers involved, gateway airports would have to be rebuilt or terminals would be packed, just look at the mess that is the Tom Bradly building at LAX where you take your bags to be screened after checking in, it's a total joke.

To add a final part as this debate has seemed to have taken off a little I would agree that this is a METHODS debate not a security or political debate. I was well aware that the TSA may wish to take a nose around my case (can't blame them, such a nice case probably had something worth a nose at inside). My moan (and it wasn't even a rant) was about the fact the they smashed it open with a hammer and screw driver and frankly I expect more.

I fully support actions taken to reduce the risk for further terrorist actions and in fact I would accept more restrictions in order to make my flying experiences safer. We all pay $2.50 for the heightened security measures, surely part of this can be put towards some training on how to open suitcase locks without the need to resort to screwdriver and hammer and towards some appropriate tools. When you call a locksmith to your house you wouldn't expect him to open the door with a screwdriver and a hammer, or would you?

Interestingly I also took a look at the TSA website and could not see anything other than them suggesting that cases are left unlocked or using TSA approved locks about the fact that they may damage cases by forcing them open with inappropriate tools. If anyone knows where this is located perhaps you can post a link for my benefit.

Paul

[Decker]

Third paragraph. I don't believe that it is reasonable to teach TSA personnel to pick locks.

Like a lot of other people I tend to believe this is a lot more about inconvenience===erroneous belief that we are safer than it actually is about security.

Originally posted by Decker
I don't believe that it is reasonable to teach TSA personnel to pick locks.

Why not? There are tools for picking locks, locksmiths use them (as well as theives). Do you teach your staff to use the correct tools for the job?

Paul