TSA lock for trips to USA

[Chester]

I recently returned from Miami to MEL via LA and AKL (with AA and Air NZ). At MIA, we checked our luggages through to MEL, all pieces of the luggages were locked with TSA locks.

When we arrived at MEL, one piece of the luggage was missing, which they delivered within 48 hours. One of the bags was damaged beyond repair. Looked like the Miami security personnel decided to check the bag (either as a random check or X-ray revealed something). But instead of opening the TSA lock, they decided to cut the handles of the zipper. My understanding is that all US security staff has access to the secret code to open any TSA locks. The idea of spending $30 on a TSA lock is to allow the US security staff to unlock the bag, do their searches, and re-lock the bag withouit damaging the bag. So why do they persist on cutting the lock or the zipper, rendering the bag unuseable.

The same thing happened two years ago with my sister who travelled to Miami. So it is not an isolating incident.

Also if they open your bag for searching, they are supposed to leave a note in the bag to tell you your bag has been searched by the airport security personnel. But there was no note left in the bag.

I think the US airport security staff are arrogant, uncaring and often misuse their power.

Has anybody else experienced similar mishaps with US security (especially Miami) ?

 

[Evan]

Simply locks TSA or otherwise are just a waste of time.
I never lock my bags.
E

 

[drron]

We have had our bags searched twice but obviously had opened the locks and left their note.On one occasion though the unopened package of make up was missing.
We always use locks.More though for when we are in the hotel after the flight.

 

[Mal]

broken zip tags can indicate that the lock/ziptags were grabbed by machinery and they snapped off, but can also mean that a lazy TSA officer cut them too.

Cable ties work well for trips to countries where you are not allowed to 'lock' your bags.

 

[docjames]

I use the locks basically to stop the bags getting the zips caught on something and coming open.

They are not there to serve any form of security.

 

[kpc]

I use locks to make it more difficult (slightly) for someone to place something in my bag:shock:

 

[Driver]

So, what advice do people have? I've got TSA locks but I now plan to just use them in hotels. I could use ties so the zip pulls are closed together - TSA can cut them off but then the bags can still be damaged. Seems there are no precautions against insider airline theft, damage - or for that matter - additions to your bag. I heard on the news today that over 200 monitored cameras have been installed as a precaution against internal theft. I have wracked my brain with many different scenarios on how passengers could ensure 'no tampering'. It seems to be in the lap of the gods. I don't blame this passengers anger. I too thought TSA approved locks were just that and that they had a key to unlock them. I certainly won't put mine on, they were too expensive to have them cut off.

 

[ringwaldt]

TSA locks are a waste of money. Better off going with el cheapo locks from china or something.
I had TSA locks on and they still got cut off. I suspect depends how grumpy the inspector is at the time.
I don't bother usually, sometimes use cable ties, just to prevent things coming out on the luggage belt (seen others clothes strewn about tends to make one think twice).

 

[medhead]

So why do they persist on cutting the lock or the zipper, rendering the bag unuseable.

We got the little zip tags repaired in Adelaide for about $20. I think we asked Myer or DJs who they use to repairs bags under warranty or something (I'll check with the wife, at a decent hour if you need)

edit: I use cable ties. Just don't put your cutters in a section behind a cable tie.

I think the US airport security staff are arrogant, uncaring and often misuse their power.

One of the main reasons not to visit their country....

 

[Evan]

I just use a twist tie (or sometimes a cable tie) to keep the zips together.
But i really never saw you could win by using locks, seems to be more disadvantages than advantages.
E

 

[Driver]

One of the main reasons not to visit their country....[/quote]

It's probably a small percentage of TSA creating angst - but that's who you hear about. I couldn't base my going or not on such a small thing. There are bigger issues in life than that. I'll keep a little diary on our experiences through the US and post when I get back. IF Mr Driver can keep quiet I expect all will be fine. I doubt he really understands - though he got a little touch of where opening your mouth can get you recently - when he went through security he turned to the inspector and said with wonder "Gee, usually all the bells and whistles go off when I go through!" They just about tackled him! He was given a thorough going over with the wand, shoes off, explosives test etc. Nothing that held him up more than 5 minutes though. He has had a knee replacement. I've tried to make him understand to say nothing at all unless asked when in the US, and then to answer as simply as possible!

By the way, I'll take the good advice and use twist ties, and carry spares. Thanks for that. Hope the early poster can get the bag repaired on insurance.

 

[simongr]

One of the main reasons not to visit their country....

Hmm - So some TSA locks were removed by one of the following:

- Ignorant TSA staff
- Other thieving staff
- Accident

And the TSA arrogance is a reason not to visit the US?

I just spent a week seeing amazing museums, buildings and landscapes - that was in Manhattan alone - and a few minutes of keeping my head down through the TSA process was hardly a hardship...

 

[medhead]

And the TSA arrogance is a reason not to visit the US?

Wasn't it more than arrgoance but also

uncaring and often misuse their power

Sorry misuse of power by US security services is a reason not to visit, along with fingerprinting. And I think the story from Driver about the reaction to an innocent comment by a someone with a second knee illustrates my point. Not that I disagree that the way to deal with this problem is to shutup. But I don't want to deal with that cough.

I just spent a week seeing amazing museums, buildings and landscapes - that was in Manhattan alone - ...

Yes all excellent reasons to visit the country, but for me, at the moment, the cons outweigh the pros.

(NB I have both a good mate working there and also cousins living there - grandmums sister was a war bride)

 

[drron]

Sorry misuse of power by US security services is a reason not to visit, along with fingerprinting. And I think the story from Driver about the reaction to an innocent comment by a someone with a second knee illustrates my point. Not that I disagree that the way to deal with this problem is to shutup. But I don't want to deal with that.

If you are goingto avoid countries that fingerprint you then the list is going to grow-
Fingerprint plan for British airports | NEWS.com.au
Travelers to Europe May Face Fingerprinting
But maybe this will cheer you up-
US protests fingerprinting of Americans in Brazil - www.smh.com.au
But this may scare you-
English nurseries fingerprinting parents "for security" - Boing Boing
But look at reply 8.
So Europe and Japan will be off your list to if fingerprinting really is such a bogey.As to being overzealous I prefer the TSA to security at BNE.Have had a few run ins with them and saw the reaction to a fellow pax who made a joke and very much regretted it.
So visit LOTFAP-so much to see and cheap now as well

 

[dot]

But maybe this will cheer you up-
US protests fingerprinting of Americans in Brazil - www.smh.com.au

I am not sure if the Brazilians are still doing it, but their retaliatory fingerprinting effort (against the LOTFAP) was actually using ink rather than fingerprint readers. A colleague form the US visited Brazil about six months after they introduced it - he said it was chaos - a plane full of Americans, every one of them fingerprinted with ink and paper and then photographed - took him three hours to clear immigration.

 

[medhead]

So Europe and Japan will be off your list to if fingerprinting really is such a bogey.As to being overzealous I prefer the TSA to security at BNE.Have had a few run ins with them and saw the reaction to a fellow pax who made a joke and very much regretted it.
So visit LOTFAP-so much to see and cheap now as well

Nice reading thanks.

fingerprinting is only a bogey because of the LOTFAP. Europe and Japan are only adopting it because the US let that genie out of the bottle. My annoyance is with the originators not the followers.

Anyway, I don't have a problem with the fingerprinting in principle, just the reasoning and the second article touches on my issue.

"Measures like fingerprint and passenger-data collection can disrupt the ability of terrorists to move easily across international borders. They also serve to protect American citizens traveling overseas."

How does checking fingerprints disrupt terrorists? As I understand the first time you enter the US your prints are recorded against your name. So if they don't already have your prints what's the point. It is only going to be after the fact.

edit: How does fingerprinting people entering the US protect US citizens in other countries? It just defies logic. /edit

As the dutch lady asked "What for? Does this actually make the world a safer place?"

Well the answer is then given for why they are really fingerprinting:

foreign travelers stopped at the border for criminal violations

The FBI is building a huge biometric database for criminal justice purposes

I have no worries about printing for criminal justice purposes within the usual protections of the justice system. I have a problem with being told it is to stop terrorists but then being used for policing crime.

I also have a problem that US security seem to be very good at effing things up. They blocked Cat Stevens :!: What was he going to do? Drive the peace train into a crowd?
There is one criminal called "Bob Smith", so all 4000 Bob Smiths are on the do not fly list. (ok, that's not the real name. But something like this has happened I just can't be bothered looking up the name)

As for the brazilians - (who can hate brazilians ) all I can say is that the LOTFAP should be careful what they wish for.....

About the grumpy security at BNE, that's only because they've probably just been yelled at for letting another person wander into the secure area unscreened.

 

[NM]

How does checking fingerprints disrupt terrorists? As I understand the first time you enter the US your prints are recorded against your name. So if they don't already have your prints what's the point. It is only going to be after the fact.

The correlation is between the passport and the finger prints. It is supposed to make it more difficult for someone to travel on a false passport, or to enter the USA using a different passport to a previous visit (other than the usual case of renewing an expired passport).

 

[medhead]

The correlation is between the passport and the finger prints. It is supposed to make it more difficult for someone to travel on a false passport,

This is my point, it won't stop the use of false passports, if someone hasn't already been fingerprinted. On the first visit the fingerprints will be matched to the false passport.

or to enter the USA using a different passport to a previous visit (other than the usual case of renewing an expired passport).

yes, it only prevents using different passports on different visits. They will have to continue using the same false passport everytime. At the most this is going to be a minor logistical inconvience to anyone organised enough.

 

[Mal]

Apparently where "Terrorist safe houses" are discovered, and "bomb fragments" are discovered, they grab fingerprints off and store them for comparison with people who want to enter the US. Is this instantaneous? I doubt so, but I sure as anything wouldn't want a false positive!

The thing that scares me, is that I believe the fingerprints can be shared with 'law enforcement' bodies. Let's say I rent a hotel room and go about my business. 1 day later a woman is attacked/murdered in that hotel room. My fingerprints will be all over the place. Was it me? No. That's relatively easy to prove. However, how can I prove that to a Customs official when I'm trying to enter the country?

 

[medhead]

Yep a false positive would be quite bad in a country that's not exactly known for listening to reason.

Then again, I'm inclined to think if they found a safe house or bomb fragments, the people with the fingerprints would not be planning anymore travel in this world.