Is your luggage locked?

After an eight-hour flight from London-Gatwick (LGW) regulated into an economy seat like a pretzel, I arrive into the United States at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). I first clear US Customs & Immigrations and thankfully it wasn’t my day for a game of twenty questions. I proceed out of the Customs hall to baggage re-check where an employee of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides a lukewarm greeting.

The TSA employee asks, “Is your luggage locked?”

“Yes, it is locked,” I respond. The TSA employee informs me my checked bag must be unlocked. I respond to advise the screener I am using a TSA certified Travel Sentry lock. The impatient TSA employee reluctantly accepts my suitcase for inspection. As you may have already guessed, this is the last time I see the lock.

As I have a connecting flight I proceed to the security checkpoint. Here I get to play the remove my shoes game and enjoy the company of the TSA as I clear security. Once through, I’m off to my connecting flight.

In most parts of the world, it is common sense to lock your luggage. After the Schapelle Corby case in Bali where drugs were allegedly inserted into her luggage by baggage handlers, it is important no items are introduced into your luggage – especially if you are travelling to parts of the world where the death penalty exists for importation of drugs. Locks also deter potential thieves and ensures your suitcase doesn’t come open.

Upon arrival at my destination, the lock was gone. No evidence of it being ripped off my suitcase on a conveyer belt and it was obvious the contents had been re-arranged. Other travellers find their Travel Sentry locks are being cut. Even worse, some find a nasty surprise when their luggage arrives ripped open and damaged.

Checked Luggage Screening in the United States

The TSA screens all baggage on commercial flights in the United States. While the screening of checked luggage is a good security measure, the methods used by the TSA occasionally require luggage to be opened, often without the owner of the luggage present.

According to the TSA, “If you decide to lock your checked baggage and TSA cannot open your checked baggage through other means, then the locks may have to be broken.” The TSA additionally states they are not liable for damage to locked bags, which must be opened for security purposes.

There are TSA recognized locks such as the ones I used, which you may purchase. The TSA has the ability to open these locks and is supposed to re-lock them after screening. In my experience these locks are removed about 25% of the time. If the lock is cut you may obtain a new one at no cost, but there is a catch-22. You must return the cut lock to get a replacement. No cut lock, no replacement.

Sometimes the cut lock is inserted back into my suitcase with a notice it was screened, but most of the time the lock is never seen again. At $10 USD a lock, one might as well be burning my money in the fireplace; at least it’ll provide heat on a cold winter day. If you do wish to use a TSA recognized lock, they are available from stores such as Brookstone.

How can I protect my luggage?

If you are travelling from overseas, take a non-stop flight to your destination city in the United States, if possible. This will keep your luggage safe for the outbound journey. When you depart the US, your baggage will undergo a TSA screening. If you are travelling to a smaller city or will be visiting multiple cities in the United States, you will have no choice but to take domestic flights and subject your checked luggage to this screening. The same goes for anyone taking US domestic flights.

To minimise risk of damage to your luggage, you may want to leave it unlocked. It is important to keep in mind unlocked luggage poses other risks such as the possibility items may be pilfered, or worse, items such as drugs inserted by baggage handlers. To prevent pilfering, keep all valuables, electronics, keys, and medications with you or in your carry-on luggage.

If you have a soft sided suitcase, a good way to secure your luggage short of a lock is to use a wire tie. The wire tie can easily be cut by the TSA without damaging your luggage. At some smaller airports you can watch them conduct the screening. If you use wire ties, always keep a few extras. If you can watch the screening of your luggage, hand a wire tie to a TSA screener and ask them to secure your suitcase before sending it on.

Until the TSA obtains better technology, there are no easy answers to this problem. It is best to be an informed traveller to avoid any surprises when you claim your baggage.

Links:

Brookstone

US Transportation Security Administration