TSA lock for trips to USA

[Driver]

Wasn't it more than arrgoance but also

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.

Sorry I was unclear - the story from me about the reaction to Mr Drivers knee could cause you further problems. This was in Australia a couple of months ago. My fault for not stating that.

I still hold firm that the few minutes of angst whilst going through a country's security (including Australia's) would not stop me from seeing some wonderful countryside and meeting some wonderful people.

 

[JohnK]

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

Same reason. If someone really wants to get into your bag a lock is not going to stop them....

 

[simongr]

Strangely I had TSA approved lock on one piece of my checked luggage flying HKG-SIN-SYD and I dont remember changing the combination so it was locked. When I got the bag home the lock was missing - but all the contents were there..

 

[Driver]

The only thing of value (not monetary but not easily replaceable) that I was thinking of putting in checked baggage is an Akubra I'm taking over for a Texan cousin. It's coals to Newcastle but he'll be rapt. I'm thinking it might be better for Mr Driver to wear it! Nuisance though - having to find room in the overhead locker for one more thing and a thing you don't want crushed. Better safe than sorry?

 

[simongr]

I wouldnt worry about checked luggage - especially an Akubra. Great Hat but not exactly high on the theft list I would think. I would be more concerned about it getting squashed in the checked luggage.

 

[Driver]

Well, that's good news. The box fits comfortably in Mr Drivers bag. Cheers

 

[drron]

Strangely I had TSA approved lock on one piece of my checked luggage flying HKG-SIN-SYD and I dont remember changing the combination so it was locked. When I got the bag home the lock was missing - but all the contents were there..

Obviously nothing worth taking!

 

[simongr]

There was a $500 book I had just bought in HKG but that was probably too heavy for the baggage handlers to lift

 

[drron]

Baggage handlers dont read!

 

[straitman]

Baggage handlers dont read!

... or baggage handlers can't read :!:

 

[[email protected]]

It sucks when you loose luggage and unfotunetly its happened more than once to me. It ok if you have travel insurance without too high a deductable, then you get to replace old stuff with new.

I'm not sure if its going to help but i bought these new locks i found online called boomerang locks from this SafeSkies. The have a website safeskies dot com dot au. Whats cool about it is that the lock comes with a free tracking service which hopefully betters the chances of getting a bag returned to me if it does get lost.

 

[Driver]

Our first of 5 flights is under our belts and we took advice from other ff's here on the site. We put little ties - the kind that go through the zip pulls and then one end threads through the other and pulls tight - on all the zips on all checked bags. The keys were locked in the bags. This worked well - none were cut off. We just left one zip section on the outside of one bag free with a small pair of scissors in a container inside. I printed and laminated coloured tags with our names, the name and address of the hotel we were going to and our mobile phone number we're using while on holiday, and attached them to the handle. We have made tags for each flight. They too, came through intact. We use the keys to lock the bags with our valuables inside when we leave the hotel if the room doesn't have a safe.

 

[drron]

Today I discovered TSA locks can work.We have TSA locks from Magellan.One bag was opened today.Arrived with lock still in place and undamaged.Only problem was a bottle of glucosamine tabs had been opened and all were distributed through the luggage.
The locks though are mainly for leaving the bags locked in hotel rooms.

 

[simongr]

Our first of 5 flights is under our belts and we took advice from other ff's here on the site. We put little ties - the kind that go through the zip pulls and then one end threads through the other and pulls tight - on all the zips on all checked bags. The keys were locked in the bags. This worked well - none were cut off. We just left one zip section on the outside of one bag free with a small pair of scissors in a container inside. I printed and laminated coloured tags with our names, the name and address of the hotel we were going to and our mobile phone number we're using while on holiday, and attached them to the handle. We have made tags for each flight. They too, came through intact. We use the keys to lock the bags with our valuables inside when we leave the hotel if the room doesn't have a safe.

Man that is very thorough! I never do anything like this and have never lost anything. I do have TSA locks on my bags - mind you they are mostly in hand luggage.

 

[Skyring]

There was a $500 book I had just bought in HKG but that was probably too heavy for the baggage handlers to lift

Mmmm, that classic Asian erotica!

Pete, ex-bookseller

 

[simongr]

Mmmm, that classic Asian erotica!

Pete, ex-bookseller

Not quite - El Bulli 2003 - 2004.

 

[medhead]

Sorry I was unclear - the story from me about the reaction to Mr Drivers knee could cause you further problems. This was in Australia a couple of months ago. My fault for not stating that.

I still hold firm that the few minutes of angst whilst going through a country's security (including Australia's) would not stop me from seeing some wonderful countryside and meeting some wonderful people.

Sorry I too was unclear, I object to the security measures, which are not about making flying safer but about policing in the US. The angst just reinforces my initial objection.

However, thanks to the many fine people on here I am reconsidering, especially given the news that these same measures will be introduced in the EU and more widely. Plus that I have extended family in the US who I wish to visit and also a friend working there.

 

[tm2808]

I do a bit of traveling and recommend that one always lock there bags. In the past my locks were clipped but since buying TSA approved locks i have not had that problems.

The locks i bought were from safe skies and i believe they have an Australian website as well.

Happy Travels.

 

[drron]

Locks,what locks-
YouTube - How to open a locked zippered luggage bag

 

[JohnK]

Wow! I did not think it was totally secure having generic locks on my luggage, more as a deterant rather than security, but I did not think it was that easy to open a zipper and put it back together again.

I think it reinforces the practice of carrying important items in carry-on luggage rather than checked luggage but also not to leave anything valuable inside luggage in a hotel room.