security locks

[shortly]

We travel to Orlando in July and i wondered if anyone had purchased
special security locks for their cases and if so what sort do i get ?
thanks.

[Tiggers Friend]

I've always used standard locks and never had a problem. However, if I was buying a new set I'd buy the TSA approved ones (from the supermarkets) that allow the authorities to unlock your case.

[Catlady]

We use TSA padlocks that we bought from the supermarket.:)

[daz1only]

Are they strict on this as i have a case with a combination lock on it. Is it worth me getting a new case to save any problems.

[Tiggers Friend]

daz, I can only tell you my experiences, in the last 5 years (usually three cases) we've never had the locks broken or the cases opened.

[palmer gang]

we have never locked our cases and have never had a problem we had a note in one case to say that it been opened by officials,when we returned from Hawaii they reminded us at check in to leave our cases unlocked.I guess if you do want lock them then the TSA approved would be best

[hannahs mum]

Our cases were opened in 2005 on the way back it was a toy with batteries in one case and a book in the other case that was opened unfortunatley there were a couple of tops missing that were purchased as presents from disney the case was not very well packed when they had finished we had tsa locks in 2006 and had no problem just made sure that all funny shaped items were in hand luggage, we were not the only ones who had our locks broken as we did hear other people at the airport complaining about their locks being broken.

[pinkjoolz]

One of our cases was opened but we did not find out until we got home and found the note. We used TSA locks so the lock was not broken. But to me it look liked they just opened the case and never went through the stuff inside (i don't think they liked the idea of putting it back)!!:laughing:

[LeonieM]

You can get the TSA locks from all sorts of places, but we found Asda the cheapest. I bought 2 packs of 2 at £4.99 a pair.

When we bought an extra bag to come back this time, I found a pack of 3 locks in Wal-Mart for something like $5.99 - so, only £1 each!

Virgin still recommend you lock your bags, but if you don't have TSA-approved locks, do expect to have them cut off if they decide they want to check your bag! I agree that it depends what shows up on the x-ray. We've never been opened, but my brother has (he never locks his cases, keeping all his valuables in his hand luggage anyway). He reckons it was because his leg extension showed up as an oddity on the x-ray, as that was the case they opened.

We had our hand luggage thoroughly searched in both directions - going out, they wanted to investigate Emma's two inhalers! Coming back, she'd only forgotten she had not one, but TWO plastic bottles with water in her bag!!!

Oh, and if they've checked your hand luggage, has anyone else noticed that they take a swab sample and check it in their special machine? I think they're looking for 'naughty' chemical traces!

[loobylou]

We never lock ours and every time we come home to find a note in at least one of our cases. Never had anything go missing (yet!)

[daz1only]

on my case i have a combination lock on the actual case itself. am i wise to leave it unlocked. or lock it with the code written on the case.:confused:

[ADRIAN C]

We locked our cases once, and they broke the locks off so we havent bothered since and never had a problem, to be honest we never have anything with any great value in them anyway, as I cant stand to go shopping while im on holiday.:purplejum

[shortly]

Thanks for the replies i think i will get the locks for peace of mind
if nothing else.




shortly

[Tiggers Friend]

Probably a good call, gives you security and peace of mind. ;)

[mrcabman]

standard locks would do...

well, it works for me.

[dmrevis]

I've been twice post 9-11 and used standard locks without any problems. I will be buying TSA ones this time though.

I hope this isnt a stupid question, but what makes the TSA Approved ones OK? Do they all take a standard key to open? I.e do the TSA have a "master key" that can open any TSA approved lock? Obviously every TSA lock cant have the same key or people could go around opening other cases. I'm sure i've also seen combination TSA locks, how do they work?

[bristolphil]

that is a good question. i went to asda today and got 4 tsa locks just to be safe. 4 pound a pair

[palmer gang]

they do have a master key i think if you check the combination locks they have a keyhole on them also TSA approved