TSA Luggage locks, baggage theft, SFO to LHR?

Hi everyone,
Question about checking luggage with Virgin. I've always travelled with carryons only but this time with a toddler in tow there's no way that's possible. (And not on Virgin with their stricter weight limits anyway.)

There's been a bunch of stuff in the media lately about baggage theft being on the rise. I'm in a quandary over whether to use those silly TSA approved locks, cable ties from Home Depot, nothing, or my old standby padlocks. I don't want to have the padlocks ruined by someone in the US screening process... and the TSA locks seem worthless since "master keys" can be obtained by people who shouldn't have them. (And in stings in JFK airport it was the screeners themselves who were ripping off flyers, even taking things like dress shirts and designer jeans.) And the cable locks seem just plain worthless.

Virgin says their official policy is at odds with the TSA, and they advise their customers to lock all bags. TSA says no flight originating here will allow locked bags.

So what do we do?

I had also heard that some airports, like LAX, the screeners are right there so you can ask to lock the bag once you're screened... but I don't know if SFO is like that or if the screeners are behind the big curtain of the great and powerful oz.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Kat

I did an ionternal flight from SFO earlier in the year, and don't recall ther being 'open screening'.

My take on the locks issues is:

- if I use a normal lock and th eTSA want to get in, they'l break the lock.
- if I use nothing the TSA can get in, but so can anyone else, and if the bag comes open of it's own accord, my stuff goes everywhere.
- if I use bag ties, same as above but with less chance of my clothing being spread all over the airport.
- if I use TSA approved locks, thy can get in, it's harder for theives to get in, and my bags don't spontaneously explode.

I've just got myself a set of TSA-friendly locks. I also don't pack anything I couldn't bear to lose and I have insurance so that I can replace anything that should be stolen.

[Bazz]

We had a lock removed from one of our bags on a NAS-MIA-LHR flight in June, the case was left unlocked no tamper-proof replacement was fitted and no notification was placed inside to inform us the TSA had opened the bag. I assume it was the TSA because, although the contents were disturbed, nothing was missing. It could have been an opportunist thief who found nothing of interest in the case.

We will be investing in a set of TSA approved locks for use on our US trips.

In LAX, the TSA screen baggage right next to the VAA check-in so if your cases are locked they ask you to wait until after the screening process in order for you to unlock the bag in the event of a problem. This has been the case for a couple of years now. At SFO the last time we passed through the TSA screening process took place elsewhere, completely away from check-in, after the bags had been checked.

We have just investd in some TSA approved locks, £6.85 for two from magellans in the UK. you can get them from their web site

I bought some because of having my bag opened on previous trips to the US.

On my last trip with the TSA Locks I had some internal flights. Both times the check-in agent told us that the locks will need to be removed for screening. I told them that they were TSA Locks and they said "Ah, thats ok then, they can unlock it if they want."

If the bag was searched or not I have no idea..

Oh, and flying out of NY the check-in agent made everyone drop off their bags with the TSA to put them through a X-Ray machine in front of you at the same time as you walked through security. Was causing quite a few queues!

I've flown in and out of SFO (among several other US airports) countless times.

I've never locked my case. I've never had anything go missing.

Thanks,
Mike

Yep same here most us airports i've been to have screed my luggage in front of me and so far (touch wood) nothing has gone missing.

Cheers

Phil

[buns]

Bazz

quote:In LAX, the TSA screen baggage right next to the VAA check-in so if your cases are locked they ask you to wait until after the screening process in order for you to unlock the bag in the event of a problem.

This is the way screening should take place - not only does it give PAX piece of mind about thier luggage, but it also can make sense of any item that the machines have an issue over.

The TSA site http://www.TSATravelTips.us does say that TSA can access certain makes of luggage and this is what occured on a recent return trip where Mrs Buns' case was unlocked by TSA, examined (and the note added) and re-locked.

Buns

I second Mike-smashing's comments.

I've down the SFO trip twice in the last year, with luggage un-locked, and without any problems.

[HighFlyer]

On my last trip to MIA, we came home and unlocked our Samsonite cases to find a TSA leaflet inside. I wasnt surprised as i knew that this happens frequently, i had just not experienced it personally before. I have a set of those hard cases with two key locks and a combination, all three locks were locked but the TSA managed to get in and then relock the case!! I dont know how they did it!!

I continue to use the key locks but not the combination. I can claim from my travel insurance if my case is broken but i cannot claim for anything if i leave the case unlocked. Id check with your insurer and follow their advice.

I've never locked my cases and never had anything nicked. I've always thought that if someone really wanted to get into the case then they're going to be able to.

Then again I've always been followed the advice from a mate who worked a summer holiday as a baggage handler "The more battered the case the less likely it is to be of interest, thefts come from the people with the brand new shiny LV cases, not the scuffed up gaffer taped well-used bags"

VSlf

Kat

I usually lock my bags with either a luggage strap lock or a separate padlock. Only had a bag opened once, between MCO & SLC - never between LHR & SFO.

Cheers

Michael

[Bazz]

I ordered four of the three dial Search Alert combination locks from Tamperseal.com on 24th Sep Aug and they arrived this morning, 28th Sep Aug via UPS Global Priority Mail. (Thanks Honey Lamb)

These locks have a coloured dot which changes from green to red if the TSA or someone with a forged key opens them, this can be reset with the combination.

The cost was USD 33.78 for the locks plus USD 9 for the shipping making USD 42.78 or on current exchange rate c. £25.

This was an excellent price and first class service.

[honey lamb]

quote:I ordered four of the three dial Search Alert combination locks from Tamperseal.com on 24th Sep and they arrived this morning, 28th Sep via UPS Global Priority Mail.

Back to the Future?

[Bazz]

Well spotted Honey Lamb, guess its coz I'm demob happy as we fly UCS to LAX in a weeks time, I will go back and change the month to August [:I]

This is the TSA ruling:

You are allowed to lock your bags BUT TSA and the airline recomend you do not as they will open them regardless of lock or not. So if u lock and they open u run the risk of them damaging your bag. If u unlock you do not.

The problem with the ruling is that there are a number of different rules (that make sense):

- On domestic flights under federal law (according to the rude UA and AA staff) you cannot lock ur bags. I was advised on all 4 internal flights i took last month (DL,AA,UA and TEd) to take off my padlocks if i didnt want them to brake open my bag.
- On flights arriving in the US (ie: LHR-SFO or AKL-LAX) it doesnt matter if they are locked or not, TSA do not screen bags on arrival.
- On flights to international destinations leaving the US (ie: all VS flights to LHR). You are advised to have ur bags unlocked. If u lock them u run the risk of having them "broken into" by TSA.

A number of airports are adopting different screening procedures. Someone mentioned that at LAX T2 all bags for VS flights are screened infront of u. Same is true of SFO domestic but not int'l. But at LAX domestic terminals(UA,TEd, AA) bags are not screened in front of u, nor are they on flights from LGA, LAS or on international services from BOS. It is purely up to the terminal if TSA screen ur hold luggage infront of u or not. Obviusly it makes it easier from our POV for them to do it infront of us.

My advice is (despite ur head telling u not 2) is not to travel with any locks on bags within the US or from the US. It saves the hassle from firstly TSA and secondly check in assistants. I have had things stolen pre 9/11 from locked bags at MCO, MIA and JFK! I think airport security has been beefed up enough that even those baggage handlers who did steal things dont dare to now. I also traveled SFO-LHR and had nothing stolen.

And before u all complain, spare a thought for all those who fly from Nadi Airport in Fiji. It is Fijian policy on all LAZ bound flights to search all bags infront of u prior to check in as well as being screened! Anyone who has been to NAN will appreciate just how stressful this can be esp as the LAX flights are always overbooked and every one is stressed enough before having your bags ripped apart!

And my final thought along TSA lines is: If ur a male traveling internally in the States on a foreign paspsort (UK or NZ) you will be subjected to the strictest security i have ever seen- o the pleasures of profiling!I love planes im not about to fly one into the side of a building!

[Bazz]

VAA continue to advise their pax to lock their hold baggage.

From the VAA website

quote: Since January 2003 the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) has been screening 100% of baggage at all US commercial airports. The TSA advise that bags are left unlocked in order to facilitate their search process, however Virgin Atlantic does not support this advice.

This is what VAA say on baggage searches.

It seems like the VAA website, as well as Willd's UA and AA staff are all a bit dated in their information. From rougly April 1 the TSA has had the "approved" luggage lock arrangement. Details are at:Locking Your Checked Baggage and Accepted Locks.

Just arived from IAD with an old Carlton hard skin bag - it had a bag strap round it and was locked with a combination - the TSA forced it open with a jemmy distroying the lock - I assume they cut the bag strap as it wasn't in the bag[8)]

There was no attempt made to 'secure' the case and the 'lock' was left flapped open! - They have a very long way to go yet on these isues

[Bazz]

Hi John,

Sorry to hear your news. Are you certain it was the TSA, they are supposed to put a note in your bag if they open it, did you get a note?

yes - got the note - no bag strap though (It had my name weaved into it)[:(]

[Bazz]

Okay John, you have a genuine grievance here with the TSA, the bag should have been re-secured with a "tamper-proof" fastener. IMO they should have either put your bag strap inside your bag or re-attached it after the inspection. You should write a strong letter of complaint to the Officer in Charge at IAD.

I'm still jet lagged TBH - I'll consider the letter but the note seems very clear that they don't regard themselves liable for any loss or damage they cause[B)] Pity as it took the shine of an otherwise succesful trip - not even the revivals lounge with its excellent breakfast buffet cheered me up[:(]