Lock Bags or Not?

[DeeLeeCee]

What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon with
one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

[Mike Cordelli]

If you are flying Air France out of Kennedy, you should lock your bags, as
the only time something was taken from my bags was at the Air France
Terminal at Kennedy. It was the one pocket I didn't wire tie because I was
one tie short.



"DeeLeeCee" > wrote in message
...
> What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon
with
> one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

[[email protected]]

On 26 Sep 2003 04:06:19 GMT, (DeeLeeCee) wrote:

>What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon with
>one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

I was wondering the same thing.

Was startled to see a notice inside my checked bag when I opened it on
returning to Calif from Alaska few months ago. Words to the effect
that bag had been opened: "We opened your bag as part of a routine
check -- let us know if anything missing". I may not have the
language quite right, but that was the sense of it.

So what if the bag had been locked? Would they have
jimmied it, or contacted me before boarding, or what?

How does this work?

Will shortly be flying internationally. What to do? What to do?

TIA for the straight dope on regs.

--

Traveler

[Whytoi]

In article >,
> wrote:

> So what if the bag had been locked? Would they have
> jimmied it, or contacted me before boarding, or what?

Best solution I've found is to get a pack of those zip lock nylon
electrical cable ties and use them to tie your zippers. These are
secure but would not cost you much if they should decide to cut it. And
you can always put another one on later.

I've lost at least 2 combination locks from my checked luggage. One got
smashed to pieces and the other just vanished with residual trauma
evident on the zipper pull. And both were not through security checks
but through those eat-a-bag luggage conveyor belt systems and luggage
handlers.

[Reef Fish]

wrote in message >...
> On 26 Sep 2003 04:06:19 GMT, (DeeLeeCee) wrote:
>
> >What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe
> >soon with one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?
>
> I was wondering the same thing.

I have been flying for at least a decade with my checked bags UNLOCKED.
Never lost a single item in at least 1 million miles of flying this
way. The few times I used the plastic ties were suggested by the
cruiseships to have the bags locked because of THEIR handlers.

>
> Was startled to see a notice inside my checked bag when I opened it on
> returning to Calif from Alaska few months ago. Words to the effect
> that bag had been opened: "We opened your bag as part of a routine
> check -- let us know if anything missing". I may not have the
> language quite right, but that was the sense of it.

That happened a time or two to my luggage closed with plastic ties.
I can always tell when the lugguage had been opened and inspected
because they would replace the broken ties with plastic ties of
different colors from my original. The lauguage of the flyer simply
informed passengers that the luggage had been inspected. Don't
think there was any "let us know if anything is missing" clause in
it. :-)
>
> So what if the bag had been locked? Would they have
> jimmied it, or contacted me before boarding, or what?

You locked would have been broken. Some airports, such as ATL, would
have asked you to unlock your bag when you carry it to the X-day
machine from the ticket counter.

In general, with the exception of perhaps one airport, MIA, the problem
of theft is grossly exaggerated, so long as you don't leave your bags
unattended, IMHO.

-- Bob.

[Peter L]

"DeeLeeCee" > wrote in message
...
> What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon
with
> one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

We flew to Europe on Lufthansa in June and was told to unlock our bags. I
have not locked my bags since.

[The Bill Mattocks]

(DeeLeeCee) wrote in message >...
> What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon with
> one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

I don't understand why frequent fliers respond with conjecture instead
of easily-obtained facts:

*** QUOTE ***

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=53

Unlocking Checked Bags

TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by
keeping your bags unlocked. In some cases screeners will have to open
your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is
unlocked then TSA will simply open the bag and screen the bag.
However if the bag is locked and TSA needs to open your bag then locks
may have to be broken. You may keep your bag locked if you choose but
TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened
for security purposes. If you are transporting a firearm please refer
to the on "Transporting Firearms and Ammunition" section at the bottom
of this page for directions on locking your bag.

If TSA screeners open your bag during the screening procedure they
will close it with a tamper evident seal and place a notice in your
bag alerting you to the fact that TSA screeners opened your bag for
inspection.

*** END QUOTE ***

I notice the other day while I was getting my twice-weekly TSA anal
probe that the woman behind me had a small pocketknife in her bag that
the TSA had discovered. I really have nothing against small
pocketknives, I used to carry one everywhere and I think they're great
- but *HOW* does one *NOT KNOW* that you can't carry it on the plane
anymore? The woman was quite shocked - she had not forgotten it was
in her bag, she thought she could take it onboard! What, are people
living in caves (I mean, besides Osama)? It has only been on the TV
news, newspapers, and radio like a damned plague for the last couple
of years. How does one avoid knowing what is allowed on a plane?
Weird.

Anyway, with that said, here are my experiences dealing with the TSA
*recommendation* that you leave your checked bag unlocked:

1 - Many (perhaps most) airlines interpret the 'recommendation' as an
absolute requirement. They will tell you it is 'against the law' to
leave your bag locked, and many of their supervisors will back them up
and demand that you remove it. That's because they are mostly BEMs
(booger-eatin' morons).

2 - I *was* defiantly putting a fresh lock on my bag each and every
trip, only to have it cut off by the TSA every single trip. I didn't
care about the cost, those locks are cheap. However, I eventually
learned that leaving your bag locked, even though it is still your
LEGAL CHOICE to do so, is an invitation to have the lock cut off and
your stuff inspected. Mine was being cut off and the contents
*inspected* every single trip.

3 - I have since started putting on little plastic 'security ties'
that I buy at the local travel store. They are bright yellow and can
be twisted off easily - and if the TSA wants in, they have only to
twist and pull and that's it. It keeps the zippers shut, and keeps
casual thieves out as well, I guess. Seems to be working out, now my
bag is very seldom molested by the TSA. I carry the same stuff every
week, so it must have been the lock that was getting their juices
flowing.

4 - Regarding the bit in the TSA advice about missing stuff and filing
claims. It's pure, unadulterated BS. You *can't* call the TSA on
their 800 number, you will get a recording telling you to send them
e-mail. If you send them e-mail, you will get an automatic canned
response telling you to call them. Catch 22. You *can* download a
claim form from the TSA website, fill it out, and send it in if
something in your bag goes missing. However, recent newspaper
articles seem to indicate that the TSA has over 45,000 current claims,
has processed a mere couple of hundred of them in the past two years,
and the average payout is something around $50. So rots of ruck, you
ain't getting jack if they take your stuff. And you *do* have
receipts for everything in there, don't you? Hahaha, I don't. Yeah,
I carry around the receipt for the chinos I bought online a couple of
years ago. Right.

5 - If the TSA opens your bag to inspect it, they may or may not
reseal it with their little "we've been sniffing your underwear"
notices inside. They claim that they *always* do it, but I've found
that sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. They're all crooks and
morons, anyway. Couldn't get jobs at McDonalds, so they leech off the
government. I'm surprised when any of them can *read* my anti-TSA tee
shirts when I wear them through the airport. I want to get a tee
shirt made that says "If you can read this...you obviously don't work
for the TSA."

I've had a couple of very minor little things stolen from my bags
since the TSA took over inspecting them - never had anything stolen
BEFORE that time. A couple of tee-shirts were taken (both critical of
the TSA, hehehe), and a message I left in my bag once (a printout of
Amendment IV of the Bill of Rights) was defaced by someone in the TSA
who dislikes this 'freedom' stuff. Nothing major has been taken,
however.

Best to leave your bag unlocked to avoid hassles with airline twits,
unless, like me, you fancy arguments with officious nincompoops. I
find the twist ties do nicely at the moment.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
www.growlery.com

[Mike Cordelli]

The issue isn't with what the TSA is saying, it's how to protect your stuff
if you leave them unlocked. The baggage handlers and the rest are having
field days now because they don't even have to work at getting inside bags,
they are mostly all open.

The TSA has never had to open one of my bags nor do I ever expect they will
need to get in one, I have no problem putting ties or locks on them, this
way at least I know somebody has been in them when I get them.


"The Bill Mattocks" > wrote in message
om...
> (DeeLeeCee) wrote in message
>...
> > What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe
soon with
> > one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?
>
> I don't understand why frequent fliers respond with conjecture instead
> of easily-obtained facts:
>
> *** QUOTE ***
>
> http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=53
>
> Unlocking Checked Bags
>
> TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by
> keeping your bags unlocked. In some cases screeners will have to open
> your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is
> unlocked then TSA will simply open the bag and screen the bag.
> However if the bag is locked and TSA needs to open your bag then locks
> may have to be broken. You may keep your bag locked if you choose but
> TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened
> for security purposes. If you are transporting a firearm please refer
> to the on "Transporting Firearms and Ammunition" section at the bottom
> of this page for directions on locking your bag.
>
> If TSA screeners open your bag during the screening procedure they
> will close it with a tamper evident seal and place a notice in your
> bag alerting you to the fact that TSA screeners opened your bag for
> inspection.
>
> *** END QUOTE ***
>
> I notice the other day while I was getting my twice-weekly TSA anal
> probe that the woman behind me had a small pocketknife in her bag that
> the TSA had discovered. I really have nothing against small
> pocketknives, I used to carry one everywhere and I think they're great
> - but *HOW* does one *NOT KNOW* that you can't carry it on the plane
> anymore? The woman was quite shocked - she had not forgotten it was
> in her bag, she thought she could take it onboard! What, are people
> living in caves (I mean, besides Osama)? It has only been on the TV
> news, newspapers, and radio like a damned plague for the last couple
> of years. How does one avoid knowing what is allowed on a plane?
> Weird.
>
> Anyway, with that said, here are my experiences dealing with the TSA
> *recommendation* that you leave your checked bag unlocked:
>
> 1 - Many (perhaps most) airlines interpret the 'recommendation' as an
> absolute requirement. They will tell you it is 'against the law' to
> leave your bag locked, and many of their supervisors will back them up
> and demand that you remove it. That's because they are mostly BEMs
> (booger-eatin' morons).
>
> 2 - I *was* defiantly putting a fresh lock on my bag each and every
> trip, only to have it cut off by the TSA every single trip. I didn't
> care about the cost, those locks are cheap. However, I eventually
> learned that leaving your bag locked, even though it is still your
> LEGAL CHOICE to do so, is an invitation to have the lock cut off and
> your stuff inspected. Mine was being cut off and the contents
> *inspected* every single trip.
>
> 3 - I have since started putting on little plastic 'security ties'
> that I buy at the local travel store. They are bright yellow and can
> be twisted off easily - and if the TSA wants in, they have only to
> twist and pull and that's it. It keeps the zippers shut, and keeps
> casual thieves out as well, I guess. Seems to be working out, now my
> bag is very seldom molested by the TSA. I carry the same stuff every
> week, so it must have been the lock that was getting their juices
> flowing.
>
> 4 - Regarding the bit in the TSA advice about missing stuff and filing
> claims. It's pure, unadulterated BS. You *can't* call the TSA on
> their 800 number, you will get a recording telling you to send them
> e-mail. If you send them e-mail, you will get an automatic canned
> response telling you to call them. Catch 22. You *can* download a
> claim form from the TSA website, fill it out, and send it in if
> something in your bag goes missing. However, recent newspaper
> articles seem to indicate that the TSA has over 45,000 current claims,
> has processed a mere couple of hundred of them in the past two years,
> and the average payout is something around $50. So rots of ruck, you
> ain't getting jack if they take your stuff. And you *do* have
> receipts for everything in there, don't you? Hahaha, I don't. Yeah,
> I carry around the receipt for the chinos I bought online a couple of
> years ago. Right.
>
> 5 - If the TSA opens your bag to inspect it, they may or may not
> reseal it with their little "we've been sniffing your underwear"
> notices inside. They claim that they *always* do it, but I've found
> that sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. They're all crooks and
> morons, anyway. Couldn't get jobs at McDonalds, so they leech off the
> government. I'm surprised when any of them can *read* my anti-TSA tee
> shirts when I wear them through the airport. I want to get a tee
> shirt made that says "If you can read this...you obviously don't work
> for the TSA."
>
> I've had a couple of very minor little things stolen from my bags
> since the TSA took over inspecting them - never had anything stolen
> BEFORE that time. A couple of tee-shirts were taken (both critical of
> the TSA, hehehe), and a message I left in my bag once (a printout of
> Amendment IV of the Bill of Rights) was defaced by someone in the TSA
> who dislikes this 'freedom' stuff. Nothing major has been taken,
> however.
>
> Best to leave your bag unlocked to avoid hassles with airline twits,
> unless, like me, you fancy arguments with officious nincompoops. I
> find the twist ties do nicely at the moment.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Bill Mattocks
> www.growlery.com

[Fly Guy]

The Bill Mattocks wrote:

> Best to leave your bag unlocked to avoid hassles with airline twits

Depending on the airport (or terminal, or even airline?) do you not
have to opportunity to put a lock on your bag (or activate any
built-in locking mechanism) with the blessing of the TSA person that
just searched your bag?

I've done that several times, SEA being one of them.

In situations like that, has anyone ever had their lock removed /
broken anyways?

PS: There is no such prohibition on locking bags when checking bags
on flights that depart and land within Canada, even long-haul
flights. Bags are not examined in any way at check-in. One of our
small victories for not being part of the Coalition of the Co-Opted.

[Mike Cordelli]

There is no prohibition on locking your bags anywhere, it's a suggestion.

Many airports you do not have the ability to lock your bags, in many of them
they are whisked away for scanning, you turn them in at the check in counter
or with the curbside guy and never see them until your arrival.

And of course, at some you do bring them to the scanner first, and have the
ability to secure them after scanning.


"Fly Guy" > wrote in message ...
> The Bill Mattocks wrote:
>
> > Best to leave your bag unlocked to avoid hassles with airline twits
>
> Depending on the airport (or terminal, or even airline?) do you not
> have to opportunity to put a lock on your bag (or activate any
> built-in locking mechanism) with the blessing of the TSA person that
> just searched your bag?
>
> I've done that several times, SEA being one of them.
>
> In situations like that, has anyone ever had their lock removed /
> broken anyways?
>
> PS: There is no such prohibition on locking bags when checking bags
> on flights that depart and land within Canada, even long-haul
> flights. Bags are not examined in any way at check-in. One of our
> small victories for not being part of the Coalition of the Co-Opted.

[The Ubiquitous Mr. \X\]

"The Bill Mattocks" > wrote in message
om...
> (DeeLeeCee) wrote in message
>...
> > What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe
soon with
> > one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?
>
> I don't understand why frequent fliers respond with conjecture instead
> of easily-obtained facts:
>
> *** QUOTE ***
>
> http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=53

Very good question. Why don't you just respond with the facts instead of
foisting all your holier-than-thou diatribe? Alternately, you could just
keep your cake hole closed and relish in the perceived notion that no one
else is as bright as you are.

[Me]

In article >,
(DeeLeeCee) wrote:

> What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon
> with one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

All the info you need about air travel (assuming you're traveling from
the United States) is at http://www.tsa.gov

[mrtravel]

Me wrote:

> In article >,
> (DeeLeeCee) wrote:
>
>
>>What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon
>>with one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?
>
>
> All the info you need about air travel (assuming you're traveling from
> the United States) is at http://www.tsa.gov

Right, so this group is now closed to questions from non-US originating
travel.

[The Bill Mattocks]

"The Ubiquitous Mr. \"X\"" > wrote in message >...
> Very good question.

Thank you.

> Why don't you just respond with the facts instead of
> foisting all your holier-than-thou diatribe?

A) I responded with facts, quoting the TSA 'fact' website link about
locking bags.

B) I pointed where that information is incorrect or misleading or
misused by airline personnel and TSA employees.

C) Then I injected my holier-than-thou diatribe because I like doing
stuff like that.

> Alternately, you could just
> keep your cake hole closed and relish in the perceived notion that no one
> else is as bright as you are.

I don't like relish. I do like irritating the silly. How you like
it?

Alternatively, we could *all* keep our cakeholes shut and our
obnoxious opinions to ourselves, and the 'net would become a complete
pornopolis instead of just a partial pornopolis, and we could all
revel in the notion that one opinion is just as good as another. But
the truth is, some opinions are correct, and some are not. We just
don't like facing that, do we?

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks, Chief Intimidator of Insolent Upstarts (CIIU)

[The Ubiquitous Mr. \X\]

"The Bill Mattocks" > wrote in message
om...
> "The Ubiquitous Mr. \"X\"" > wrote in message
>...
> > Very good question.
>
> Thank you.
>
> > Why don't you just respond with the facts instead of
> > foisting all your holier-than-thou diatribe?
>
> A) I responded with facts, quoting the TSA 'fact' website link about
> locking bags.

And you could have left it at that. But you had to be Peter Pot calling Karl
Kettle black, didn't you?

> B) I pointed where that information is incorrect or misleading or
> misused by airline personnel and TSA employees.
>
> C) Then I injected my holier-than-thou diatribe because I like doing
> stuff like that.

Same 'ol Mattock
> > Alternately, you could just
> > keep your cake hole closed and relish in the perceived notion that no
one
> > else is as bright as you are.
>
> I don't like relish. I do like irritating the silly. How you like
> it?

Just cut it at liking to be irritating. Doesn't really bother me, though.
Like you, I also heard a rumor to the effect that one opinion is as good as
another. Only a self-centered boor like yourself would go on to assume
theirs is the only correct one.

> Alternatively, we could *all* keep our cakeholes shut and our
> obnoxious opinions to ourselves, and the 'net would become a complete
> pornopolis instead of just a partial pornopolis, and we could all
> revel in the notion that one opinion is just as good as another. But
> the truth is, some opinions are correct, and some are not. We just
> don't like facing that, do we?

When you say "we" I can only assume you mean yourself and the lovely Mrs.
Mattocks. Contrary to what you may think of yourself, I believe Dale
Carnegie has you beat... more people want to employ his theories than they
want to, yours. You don't have that many followers. It's a pity, really. But
you keep trying!

Anyway, I leave you with this: when you think of all the daily scurge that
just rattles your nerves - when you see in all you survey that that makes
you miserable, think of me... Mr. X.

[The Bill Mattocks]

"The Ubiquitous Mr. \"X\"" > wrote in message >...
> > A) I responded with facts, quoting the TSA 'fact' website link about
> > locking bags.

> And you could have left it at that. But you had to be Peter Pot calling Karl
> Kettle black, didn't you?

Uh, what? See, 'pot calling the kettle black' means that a person
guilty of an infringement has accused another of the same
infringement. We call this 'irony'. I accused others of responding
with conjecture about TSA rules on locking bags, when the information
was actually available online. I then provided the information. Then
I added my usual diatribe. No 'pot and kettle' irony that I can see,
or am I missing something?

> > C) Then I injected my holier-than-thou diatribe because I like doing
> > stuff like that.

> Same 'ol Mattock

Mostly. I change a bit from time to time, but overall, it's just the
same old me. Hey, I'm 42. All I can expect from here is to continue
to be myself, but more slowly and with parts falling off from time to
time. All part of the process.

> > I don't like relish. I do like irritating the silly. How you like
> > it?

> Just cut it at liking to be irritating.

OK. Can I just be mildly ascerbic? Perhaps truculent? Bothersome in
a small way? It's hard to give up being irritating all at once. I
may go through withdrawal symptoms.

> Doesn't really bother me, though.

Psst. It's not *for* you. I like to irritate upstarts in the nature
of a jape, a jest. That you're not unduly fashed is of no consequence
- the purpose is served, as you have been; on the half-shell, with
eggs and a side of hush puppies.

> Like you, I also heard a rumor to the effect that one opinion is as good as
> another. Only a self-centered boor like yourself would go on to assume
> theirs is the only correct one.

If someone can show me that my opinion is incorrect, I will retract
and make apologies as required. I'm not always right. But I have a
reasonably good batting average. I can show you recent examples of
where I was wrong online, in public, and right in front of everyone if
you like.

> > But
> > the truth is, some opinions are correct, and some are not. We just
> > don't like facing that, do we?

> When you say "we" I can only assume you mean yourself and the lovely Mrs.
> Mattocks.

Incorrect assumption. I meant you. But you knew that, didn't you?
If not, I could try to type more slowly.

> Contrary to what you may think of yourself, I believe Dale
> Carnegie has you beat... more people want to employ his theories than they
> want to, yours. You don't have that many followers. It's a pity, really. But
> you keep trying!

I wasn't aware that I had *any* "followers." I keep looking around
for this Cult of Mattocks and I haven't seen it. Perhaps they operate
in sekrit.

> Anyway, I leave you with this: when you think of all the daily scurge that
> just rattles your nerves - when you see in all you survey that that makes
> you miserable, think of me... Mr. X.

OK. When life has me by the short hairs, and I have nowhere to turn,
no friends, and the pain is immense, and it's all my own fault, I'll
think back and remember...that anonymous guy on Usenet who was too
afraid to use his real name. Then I'll feel better, knowing that I'm
not the most obnoxious jerk in the world, just the penultimate jerk.
Thanks!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
Semper Ubi Sub Ubi

[Miss L. Toe]

"Hilary" > wrote in message
...
> > What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe
> > soon with one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?
>
> FWIW, I just flew from Europe to the USA. I secured my bags with cable
> tipes (zipties to you). One bag had been opened when I arrived, but
> contents were secure.
>
> There were signs at check in for ATL telling people not to lock their
> bags.
>
> Hilary
>

Thats interesting - are they now opening bags in Europe, or did they open it
after arrrival in the USA and before you collected it ???

Was there one of those TSA letters in it, or any indication of who opened it
?

[Roland Perry]

In message >, Miss L. Toe
> writes
>> There were signs at check in for ATL telling people not to lock their
>> bags.

I've seen those signs. They are for people checking in, at which point
your luggage has to go via a separate X-ray facility. If they find
something they don't like they open your bags and rummage through - all
in full sight of the concourse, although the passengers aren't invited
to attend.

>Thats interesting - are they now opening bags in Europe, or did they open it
>after arrrival in the USA and before you collected it ???

They [sometimes] open them before you depart the USA. See above.
--
Roland Perry

[Miss L. Toe]

"Roland Perry" > wrote in message
...
> In message >, Miss L. Toe
> > writes
> >> There were signs at check in for ATL telling people not to lock their
> >> bags.
>
> I've seen those signs. They are for people checking in, at which point
> your luggage has to go via a separate X-ray facility. If they find
> something they don't like they open your bags and rummage through - all
> in full sight of the concourse, although the passengers aren't invited
> to attend.
>

When I was last 'pulled' at LGW my bag was checked with me inches away.



> >Thats interesting - are they now opening bags in Europe, or did they open
it
> >after arrrival in the USA and before you collected it ???
>
> They [sometimes] open them before you depart the USA. See above.
> --
But the OP talked of the flight from EUROPE to USA.

[Binyamin Dissen]

On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 11:08:28 +0100 Hilary > wrote:

:>> > > What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe
:>> > > soon with one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

:>> > FWIW, I just flew from Europe to the USA. I secured my bags with cable
:>> > tipes (zipties to you). One bag had been opened when I arrived, but
:>> > contents were secure.

:>> > There were signs at check in for ATL telling people not to lock their
:>> > bags.

:>> Thats interesting - are they now opening bags in Europe, or did they open it
:>> after arrrival in the USA and before you collected it ???

:>I'm presuming it was opening upon arrival in the USA, as there is no such
:>program in Europe.

It would not be opened upon arrival in the USA without the passenger knowing
about it.

It may have been opened after it was re-checked in for the next flight.

--
Binyamin Dissen >
http://www.dissensoftware.com

[Lansbury]

On Tue, 30 Sep 2003 11:11:53 +0100, Hilary >
wrote:

>Yes, but *I* was departing from Europe and collecting my bag in the USA.
>There was no mention at my end of the fact that bags may be opened, no
>notice inside, and no special TSA cable tie to re-secure it after.

It could have been opened in the UK if the x-ray showed something they
didn't like the look of.

I am not aware if it is opened in the UK that you are told it has been
done.

The again it could have been UK Customs because they check out bound
stuff as well.

--
Lansbury

[BrianM]

Hilary wrote in message ...

>There was no connecting flight. 1 transit in Europe, collect bag on
>arrival in USA - it's been opened.


US-bound flights from Europe are subject to additional security. Without
going into details, the bag would have been examined before loading onto the
US flight, and not by the TSA who are domestic US only.

B.

[Linedancer]

Miss L. Toe wrote:
> "Hilary" > wrote in message
> ...
>>> What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe
>>> soon with one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?

We are flying from Leeds Bradford to Las Vegas with KLM/NW changing
flights in Amsterdam and Detroit, we are not sure what to do either.

>> FWIW, I just flew from Europe to the USA. I secured my bags with
>> cable tipes (zipties to you). One bag had been opened when I
>> arrived, but contents were secure.
>>
Where do we buy the cable tipes ? How do we get them off if we aren't
allowed to take scissors ?

>> There were signs at check in for ATL telling people not to lock their
>> bags.
>>
I wonder if that applies to all US airports, if we lock them in the UK and
pick them up for immigration in Detroit, do we take off the lock or cable
tipes and leave them open ?

LD


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[Roland Perry]

In message
>, Hilary
> writes
>> I've seen those signs. They are for people checking in, at which point
>> your luggage has to go via a separate X-ray facility. If they find
>> something they don't like they open your bags and rummage through - all
>> in full sight of the concourse, although the passengers aren't invited
>> to attend.
>
>You are able to stay with your bags until they have been x-rayed. You are
>able to be present while your bags are searched.

Neither was the case when I last left the USA.

>> >Thats interesting - are they now opening bags in Europe, or did they open it
>> >after arrrival in the USA and before you collected it ???
>>
>> They [sometimes] open them before you depart the USA. See above.
>
>Yes, but *I* was departing from Europe and collecting my bag in the USA.
>There was no mention at my end of the fact that bags may be opened, no
>notice inside, and no special TSA cable tie to re-secure it after.

I think I've already posted here that my bags were rummaged through
anonymously and without warning by *someone*, between the UK and the USA
on both of my last trips there.
--
Roland Perry

[Miss L. Toe]

"Roland Perry" > wrote in message
...
> In message
> >, Hilary
> > writes
> >> I've seen those signs. They are for people checking in, at which point
> >> your luggage has to go via a separate X-ray facility. If they find
> >> something they don't like they open your bags and rummage through - all
> >> in full sight of the concourse, although the passengers aren't invited
> >> to attend.
> >
> >You are able to stay with your bags until they have been x-rayed. You
are
> >able to be present while your bags are searched.
>
> Neither was the case when I last left the USA.
>
> >> >Thats interesting - are they now opening bags in Europe, or did they
open it
> >> >after arrrival in the USA and before you collected it ???
> >>
> >> They [sometimes] open them before you depart the USA. See above.
> >
> >Yes, but *I* was departing from Europe and collecting my bag in the USA.
> >There was no mention at my end of the fact that bags may be opened, no
> >notice inside, and no special TSA cable tie to re-secure it after.
>
> I think I've already posted here that my bags were rummaged through
> anonymously and without warning by *someone*, between the UK and the USA
> on both of my last trips there.
> --

Maybe its the baggage handlers ?

[Roland Perry]

In message >, Miss L. Toe
> writes
>Maybe its the baggage handlers ?

I fly from Gatwick not Thiefrow.
--
Roland Perry

[Miss L. Toe]

"Hilary" > wrote in message
...
> > >There was no connecting flight. 1 transit in Europe, collect bag on
> > >arrival in USA - it's been opened.
> >
> > US-bound flights from Europe are subject to additional security. Without
> > going into details, the bag would have been examined before loading onto
the
> > US flight, and not by the TSA who are domestic US only.
>
> Yes, as normal. X-ray, etc. I've never had a bag opened by European
> security before, without my being present. And nowhere has anyone
> European said "We may open your bag/break locks".
>
But how do you know that it was opened by Security staff, and not by someone
else ?

[Miss L. Toe]

"Hilary" > wrote in message
...
> > Where do we buy the cable tipes ? How do we get them off if we aren't
> > allowed to take scissors ?
>
> You can get cable ties at stationers/electrical supplies/DIY shops... You
> aren't allowed to carry scissors in hand luggage, but any hotel/relative
> will be able to lend you some. Nail clippers also work, and I've heard
> that you can use a pen as leverage and break them that way.
>
> > I wonder if that applies to all US airports, if we lock them in the UK
and
> > pick them up for immigration in Detroit, do we take off the lock or
cable
> > tipes and leave them open ?
>
> Leave them unlocked when you check in at the UK end.
>
I usually lock them at the UK side, then unlock them before handing them
over in the US for the onward connection.

[Mark]

You can get bag ties which require cutting home depot etc
magellans has luggage seals
http://www.tamperseal.com makes luggage security seals
all these are $5.00 or less




"Miss L. Toe" > wrote in message >...
> "Hilary" > wrote in message
> ...
> > > Where do we buy the cable tipes ? How do we get them off if we aren't
> > > allowed to take scissors ?
> >
> > You can get cable ties at stationers/electrical supplies/DIY shops... You
> > aren't allowed to carry scissors in hand luggage, but any hotel/relative
> > will be able to lend you some. Nail clippers also work, and I've heard
> > that you can use a pen as leverage and break them that way.
> >
> > > I wonder if that applies to all US airports, if we lock them in the UK
> and
> > > pick them up for immigration in Detroit, do we take off the lock or
> cable
> > > tipes and leave them open ?
> >
> > Leave them unlocked when you check in at the UK end.
> >
> I usually lock them at the UK side, then unlock them before handing them
> over in the US for the onward connection.

[Mark]

I was under the impression that you should not lock your bag in/out of the
US as they randomly open them.
I personally never lock any of them and in 20 years of travel have never had
anything go missing.

Mark
"DeeLeeCee" > wrote in message
...
> What's the latest scoop on locking bags? We're travelling to Europe soon
with
> one stop-over. Should we or shouldn't we lock?