Flying to the USA - TSA Padlocks

[James.UWE 0]

Hey,

I'm going to Perris in April so I've just bought a hard suitcase for my rig as apose to a soft holdall.

It has a combination lock, and nowhere to put a padlock (ie TSA approved).

Should I just leave it unlocked? I don't want it to be forced open, and I take it they won't put a call out for a passenger to find out the code?

Thanks :)

[AndyMan 7]

The official TSA policy is that you should leave it unlocked.

In reality, though - it depends on where you're flying from, and if the suitcase contains anything likely to trigger a hand search.

Many smaller airports in the US do not have luggage xray capability, and instead hand search each piece of luggage. If you're flying through one of these airports, you can be assured that the TSA will open your bag, and will destroy any lock that's keeping it closed.

Most larger airports in the US do have luggage xray, and will use that to screen the luggage. If your luggage passes the XRay without any concerns, then your locks will be fine. However, if they have any reason to want to hand search your bag, they'll be opening your locks.

Items that are known to cause them to hand search:

Parachutes.
Tools - ANY tools, including small wrenches.
Other rigging tools.
Anything containing lead shot - packing weights, weight belts, etc.

Most US jumpers traveling with their skydiving gear try to take all their sensitive or expensive skydiving gear as carry-on, so that the jumper will always be able to explain any concerns the inspectors may have.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[MakeItHappen 15]

Quote

Hey,

I'm going to Perris in April so I've just bought a hard suitcase for my rig as apose to a soft holdall.

It has a combination lock, and nowhere to put a padlock (ie TSA approved).

Should I just leave it unlocked? I don't want it to be forced open, and I take it they won't put a call out for a passenger to find out the code?

Thanks :)

Use cable ties to 'lock' the baggage. Most places in the US will call your name for an inspection or you can watch your bag being screened. Then you can hand them some extra cable ties, the more colorful the better, to seal the bag. This way you know that only security checked the bag and that if the bag was compromised later, you have an evidence trail. Try to remember the names of the security people that inspected your bag. Their name is on their badge is case they don't tell you. You can always ask them their name.

It goes like this:

You: Yes, yes that's my bag. Sir, er what's your name? I'll stand here while you inspect it and answer any questions.
Security: Thanks, we know how to do this. We do it all day long. We don't need your help.
You: Uh Sir, I notice that you are cutting the cable ties off the zipper ends. I have extra cable ties for you to put on after your inspection.
(Hold up a fist full of cable ties.)
Security: Oh thanks. We can put those on after our inspection.
You: Oh thank-you. Sir, er what was your name?
Security: Mike, I am Mike. Thank you. We like well prepared passengers.
You: Thank you, Mike. It is always a pleasure to travel through [insert airport name]. Thank you for the tremendous job you are doing to keep the skies safe. [Make a big smile. Give a thumbs up.]


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Make It Happen
Parachute History
DiveMaker

[pirana 0]

Quote

Most places in the US will call your name for an inspection or you can watch your bag being screened.

I've had my bags pulled for inspection many times (as evidenced by the little card they leave inside telling you the bag was opened for manual inspection) and never once have they called my name.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[Scrumpot 1]

Quote

I've had my bags pulled for inspection many times (as evidenced by the little card they leave inside telling you the bag was opened for manual inspection) and never once have they called my name.

Same here. Which is why my rig always stays with me personally as carry-on. Each time, EVERY time. No exceptions.

Just my .02.
Cheers!
-Grant

coitus non circum - Moab Stone

[ozzy13 0]

I just got back for a trip where they open my bag and didn't call me or leave a card. I carry my rig on every time!!!

Never give the gates up and always trust your rears!

[Travman 6]

I have used the same style of bag (hard case, with 2 latches and a combination lock) for 2 trips to the US with my rig. Once to Hawaii and once to Eloy via LA (landing in phoenix). My bag was not searched on either trip. But I guess it just depends on luck. I have just bought a TSA lock and will probably use a different suitcase and use the TSA lock on my next trip.

[DSE 5]

Quote

Use cable ties to 'lock' the baggage. Most places in the US will call your name for an inspection or you can watch your bag being screened. Then you can hand them some extra cable ties, the more colorful the better, to seal the bag. This way you know that only security checked the bag and that if the bag was compromised later, you have an evidence trail. Try to remember the names of the security people that inspected your bag. Their name is on their badge is case they don't tell you. You can always ask them their name.

It goes like this:

You: Yes, yes that's my bag. Sir, er what's your name? I'll stand here while you inspect it and answer any questions.
Security: Thanks, we know how to do this. We do it all day long. We don't need your help.
You: Uh Sir, I notice that you are cutting the cable ties off the zipper ends. I have extra cable ties for you to put on after your inspection.
(Hold up a fist full of cable ties.)
Security: Oh thanks. We can put those on after our inspection.
You: Oh thank-you. Sir, er what was your name?
Security: Mike, I am Mike. Thank you. We like well prepared passengers.
You: Thank you, Mike. It is always a pleasure to travel through [insert airport name]. Thank you for the tremendous job you are doing to keep the skies safe. [Make a big smile. Give a thumbs up.]


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This is the best post in this thread, IMO. We travel weekly with very expensive electronics that cannot be carried on. This is almost verbatim how we handle our business.
TSA Locks:
You're putting a lock on that is designed to be opened by the very people you need to be afraid of. Fox/henhouse... There are far more good TSA people than bad, but the bad ones rarely seem to be caught until they've nailed a large number of victims.

[pirana 0]

So what are these "TSA locks?"

Is that just a reference to the cable ties? Or are they now selling locks that we can use to keep out everybody but the TSA?

Agree with the fox/henhouse statement though. We had a DVD player stolen on a trip. Suppose that could have been a ramp rat though.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[DSE 5]

This is turning into a Bonfire thread
TSA locks are padlocks that only TSA can open. They're supposed to prevent ramp rats from getting into your gear. False sense of security.
I prefer *suggesting* they inspect our gear, and then put ties on the boxes. We use colored ties so it's immediately apparent if they've been broken into.