Do you have to leave your cases unlocked?

[Katies Mum]

Please can someone advise me if you have to leave your cases open on the way out to Florida as well as the way back. Or is it just the coming home flight?

Thanks

[blott]

It's just required when you come home although we don't bother to lock ours whichever way we're going and have never had a problem or anything missing.

You can use cable ties or you can get approved TSA locks (if you have a zipper case that takes a padlock) or luggage straps (for suitcases with built in locks) if you want to use these, which US security can unlock and relock.

Just remember not to pack anything that someone else might consider as valuable in your cases!

[Nina A]

Hi Katies Mum, did you know there's a Katiesmommy on here too :D ?

I'm with Blott on this one, we never lock our cases going either way. The only way it could be a problem is if your case is liable to spring open if it's not locked, a strap will prevent this.

[CERICROWLEY]

I bought some TSA locks from Asda, I flew on the 17th July and was conencting is Newark. I noticed that my lock was turned to 0 0 0 and when I opened the case I had a leaftlet inside notifying me of the search, they had no problems with the padlock. We had three other cases that were not opened.

[pieman790]

If the TSA search your bag then they should leave a notice inside it. We once took a safe with us for the villa which was boxed. We arrived unpacked it and found a note from the TSA inside the safe.
We also use the TSA approved locks now as we once had some of our locks cut off. They sell them in Walmart in the US or ASDA in the UK, cost about $7 in the US or £5 in the UK.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by CERICROWLEY
I bought some TSA locks from Asda, I flew on the 17th July and was conencting is Newark. I noticed that my lock was turned to 0 0 0 and when I opened the case I had a leaftlet inside notifying me of the search, they had no problems with the padlock. We had three other cases that were not opened.
[/quote]

[Cruella DeVilla]

I have got the TSA combination locks that can also be opened with a key which the customs guys obviously have as it does not come with one so is for their use only. I bought them at my local airport (Manchester) but you see them all over. (The Asda ones are just combinations as Mum bought one last week).

[Katies Mum]

We have one case with combination which we are setting to 000. Just been and got some cheap cases from Tesco small and light and will use cable ties in them. Have got 3 big straps so will put one round each. Hopefully that will do. Have also packed a holdall in case we need it for coming home. We leave Saturday and think at long last everything is comeing together.

Thanks for the advice everyone will leave them open both ways (last time we went they searched 2 of our holdalls on the way back, they were full of big Mickey and Minnies!!!!

Hi to Katiesmommy from katies mum

[Katies Mum]

Hi
Please can I ask - if they cut off your cable ties to search your bags do they tend to put new ones back on.

Thanks

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katies Mum
Hi
Please can I ask - if they cut off your cable ties to search your bags do they tend to put new ones back on.

Thanks[/quote]No, they don't put new ones back on generally. Remember that your cases will probably arrive with the cable ties still in place as there is only a very small percentage that get opened by security.

There will be lots of cases which aren't secured at all (like ours) so don't worry too much.

Just remember not to put anything that someone else might find valuable into your cases and you should be fine.

[Stuart Bairstow]

On three separate occasions we have had one suitcase searched, we only new this because there was a notice inside the case when we opened it at home. By the way each time it was an awful pink coloured one our 15 year old daughter insisted on having.
Just as a matter of fact when you take your three or four suitcases do you mix everyones clothes up between the suitcases as we do. Abi just wanted her own stuff in her suitcase but I am always worried in case one goes missing and one of us needs a hole new wardrobe - (my luck it wouldn't be me!!!