Suitcase security

[Andrena]

Since we don't put anything valuable in our suitcases we don't bother locking them. Anything valuable we take in hand luggage. Only had ours opened once and they put a note in to say it had been checked by security.

Andrena

[mexico]

Hi there, we never lock our cases on the way back! Every year since it started at least one of our bags have been opened! We have not had a good experience with this we have had items in the case smashed and also had perfume stolen from our luggage, this happened when we were travelling with virgin back to Manchester! When I reported it to virgin they were not interested!!! There was no note in the case to say that it had been searched and when I brought up the security issue with virgin that someone had been through my bags they shrugged me off and told me to contact MCO and take it up with them! I'll leave you to work out the outcome of that one!!! So as far as I am concerned I don't think it matters what you do if They want to get in your case they will officially or not! And if they see something they like they will take it or just smash it up for the fun of it!!! Pauline

[E. Cosgrove]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Gerry Reed
We use the US recommended combination locks. Last trip two of our three cases had been opened by US security - note left inside the cases, but they had re-locked the cases, so we are happy to stick with those.

Sue
[/quote]
Same for us Gerry.
We use TSA approved locks and travelling to anf from the staes 4+ times ayear for many years have only had them opened twice. Each time a note has been left inside and the case re locked.

We have had good experiences though I guess abad one might change my point of view.

[specsaver]

I've used the TSA locks and our cases have never been opened so it's clearly a case[msnsmile] of what sort of mood the security people are in on the day.
How do I know that they haven't been opened?
Just before I lock the case, I take a photo showing where everything is.
That way you should have an idea if it's been tampered with, officially or unofficially. Provided, of course that you're using a digital camera and have the picture ready when you open your case!

[karl2000]

We used combination locks but on the way back our suitcases had been opened but they hadn't replaced the locks. [msnsad]

[E. Cosgrove]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by specsaver
I've used the TSA locks and our cases have never been opened so it's clearly a case[msnsmile] of what sort of mood the security people are in on the day.
How do I know that they haven't been opened?
Just before I lock the case, I take a photo showing where everything is.
That way you should have an idea if it's been tampered with, officially or unofficially. Provided, of course that you're using a digital camera and have the picture ready when you open your case!
[/quote]
If you use TSA locks the indicator on the bottom turns red if they have been opened with the special tool.

[sunseeker]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by specsaver
I've used the TSA locks and our cases have never been opened so it's clearly a case[msnsmile] of what sort of mood the security people are in on the day.
How do I know that they haven't been opened?
Just before I lock the case, I take a photo showing where everything is.
That way you should have an idea if it's been tampered with, officially or unofficially. Provided, of course that you're using a digital camera and have the picture ready when you open your case!
[/quote]
If you use TSA locks the indicator on the bottom turns red if they have been opened with the special tool.
[/quote]

Not all TSA locks have that indicator so if that is important to you make sure you buy the correct locks.

Dave

[kitch50]

When our suitcases were opened we had combination locks and they had been broken off, one had been put in the case, the others hadn't .... we also had some trinkets that my daughter had brought for her friends in the cases and they had been smashed and also some drawer/cupboard fresheners that we had purchased in Cracker Barrel had been ripped open and the contents spilled all over the clothes (they were incidentally in a carrier bag which also had been cut open)... a note from Homeland Security had been left inside the cases saying they weren't responsible for any breakages which may have occurred whilst searches had been carred out ... if they weren't responsible then who was !!!!

[mexico]

I get the feeling that they think it's funny to smash things! We had taken extra care to ensure that the items were well padded in the middle of our case ! It was christmas decorations and they were in bubble wrap and tissue inside boxes and the more bubble wrap ! They were taken out smashed and put back in the box[msncry][msnmad] some people get their kicks in strange ways!!!

[sunsetlakes]

I got back from the States last week and had a TSA approved luggage strap on mine. The staff had smashed it off to get inside the case and then left a note saying they had looked in the case and were not liable for any damage - I thought the point of having a TSA approved lock was to stop any damage[msnscared] Back to cable ties for me