Missing padlocks on baggage
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Originally Posted by Icare9
We have NOT lost anything from the cases (except the padlocks!!) and although they are fairly modest combination locks, they clip the zippers together UNDERNEATH the carrying handle.
The fact that you put the padlock under the carrying handle could be the reason they are being removed. I spend a fair amount of time chatting to our baggage handlers when hanging around waiting for flights and one of their biggest issues is with padlocks and the catches for straps being hidden under the handles. When loading an aircraft, they often don't see them until they pick up the bag and catch their fingers on them, often resulting in cuts and, in at least one case that I know of, a broken finger. These padlocks may seem very small and insignificant, but when you consider how many bags they handle in a day and the speed they often have to work at, you can see how these accidents happen.
I'm not saying this is definitely the case, but it could be a possible reason as to why your padlocks keep disappearing.
Jsl
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jetsetlady: Appreciate the comment, but on the bag in question, the zips are well away from the handle itself. The way the zips work we may be able to link them away from the handle area, but then they'd be more exposed. As there is no damage to the zip loops or any deformation, it looks more like the padlock has been "snipped" off, rather than torn off whilst on carousel or loading. I'm of the opinion that it is deliberate removal, and am interested to know of any legitimate reason, rather than someone idly snipping them off!!
I see that someone with a sense of humour is also displaying an advert for padlocks at the bottom of this thread!!!
I see that someone with a sense of humour is also displaying an advert for padlocks at the bottom of this thread!!!
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They don't wrench off. The problem is with banging about they just pop open. So no sign of damage would be seen.
If Security opened them you would have a note.
If someone had raided your bags something would be missing.
Doubtful that someone sought out three of your bags just to snip the locks for a laugh.
Use cable ties as suggested. At least then you can be certain of what is happening.
If Security opened them you would have a note.
If someone had raided your bags something would be missing.
Doubtful that someone sought out three of your bags just to snip the locks for a laugh.
Use cable ties as suggested. At least then you can be certain of what is happening.
ties
Yes, it's cable ties for me too. Never had a bag opened.
I keep a stanly knife blade wrapped up in a business card in the pouch on the checked in luggage where the ID tag goes.
I keep a stanly knife blade wrapped up in a business card in the pouch on the checked in luggage where the ID tag goes.
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I agree cable ties are the easy option.
I always use a strap in the event of a burst holdall /case.
With my simple fabric straps I knot them.
With my snap together straps ( all originally found circulating on their own on carousels) I always loop heavy cord between the two halves.
I also tie holdall handles together with cord to reduce the risk of "handle strain"
On my return trip last week I thought my black Delsey had gone AWOL as I was left alone staring at an empty carousel.
A crew member had removed it at the other end of the belt (as it had a yellow label on it) and rather than put it back on the belt had left it lurking out of my sight.
Just as well as I was killing time awaiting family transport to arrive.
I always use a strap in the event of a burst holdall /case.
With my simple fabric straps I knot them.
With my snap together straps ( all originally found circulating on their own on carousels) I always loop heavy cord between the two halves.
I also tie holdall handles together with cord to reduce the risk of "handle strain"
On my return trip last week I thought my black Delsey had gone AWOL as I was left alone staring at an empty carousel.
A crew member had removed it at the other end of the belt (as it had a yellow label on it) and rather than put it back on the belt had left it lurking out of my sight.
Just as well as I was killing time awaiting family transport to arrive.
I arrived back at Birmingham on Sat 24th 2009 to find that, somewhere between Friedrichshafen (where I checked in), Frankfurt (where I changed flights) and Birmingham, the lock of my checked-in Rimowa AirLight trolley case had been broken and the suticase contents sorted through - there were tell-tale signs. On arrival the case was insecure and there was no note inside to identify whether some Sicherheitsdienst incompetent had damaged it during a security check.
Fortunately nothing was stolen (or added). But it's buggered now - so I have demanded that Lufthansa replace it as the damage occurred whilst the case was in the care of Lufthansa and/or its appointed agents; whether this was due to attempted pilferage or lawful, but incompetent, examination is immaterial.
Fortunately nothing was stolen (or added). But it's buggered now - so I have demanded that Lufthansa replace it as the damage occurred whilst the case was in the care of Lufthansa and/or its appointed agents; whether this was due to attempted pilferage or lawful, but incompetent, examination is immaterial.
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Security checks always get a note left in your case......(bound to be someone who has experienced something different along soon
).
I think your case has been broken into...
).I think your case has been broken into...
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Security checks always get a note left in your case......(bound to be someone who has experienced something different along soon
I've several times in the last few years had my bags arrive opened with no note inside - the cable ties broken back when I used cable ties, the "TSA key was used" indicator showing on the locks I use more recently. Whenever I notice this before leaving the airport, I look in my bag to check for anything lost (or added!!) and complain to the airline's baggage handling desk that my bag has been opened.
The response is can always be summed up as a polite shrug and response similar to "The TSA are supposed to leave a note but they often don't".
I have noticed nothing gone missing yet from inside the locks, but the contents of my bag are not usually especially valuable.
Some thieving bastard did steal my very nice Swiss Army Knife multitool from the front (unlocked) pocket on a bag once, after I tucked it in there at checkin. I have learned my lesson and now nothing goes in an unlocked pocket.
If you get the "TSA locks", get the ones with an indicator only you can reset. You might be surprised how often your locks get opened!
I've never lost a lock, though I do try to tuck them under a strap (not a handle) to avoid them flapping about too much, and I buy the more expensive ones.
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If you get the "TSA locks", get the ones with an indicator only you can reset. You might be surprised how often your locks get opened!
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It's been said before......but....Don't use locks. none of them are any good....Cable ties done up tightly.....If security need to get into them they can. Keep spares inside the case. Don't use cases with zips...
YouTube - Opening Baggage Without A Key
YouTube - Opening Baggage Without A Key
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Having just recently bought a case with one of these security nightmares fitted, the first move was to fill the keyhole with epoxy resin
My bags don't have built-in locks but have a point where you can insert your choice of padlock so I use a TSA-lock when travelling by air. I can see the point of having locks without a backdoor for non-airline travel, however if you have locks on your bags with no backdoor for them, the TSA may well break them, and then your bags won't be locked against any other thieves (or even just to hold them closed!).
This state of affairs does not make me happy, but until I have my personal aircraft to take me around the world, I'm stuck with it. I just complain every time I see a deviation from procedure so that they get some hassle.
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My blokes remove damaged naff suitcase padlocks by the shovel full from the holds of our and our customer's aircrafts - not to mention the ones we pick up from the apron prior to aircraft arrival, and from around the hold door areas before push back. Rubbish they may be, but they still cause nice dings and nicks to engine fan blades.
Thread Starter
Virginpaul: So why are all these locks NOT still attached to their cases? It seems as if there is a physical action that breaks them off, as they can't all be in exposed places? That was the point of my original post: Why are so many padlocks "lost"?
I don't believe there is some magical cause or metal fatigue that spontaneously causes all the padlocks to pop open and fall off without any human interaction. How is it that so many padlocks are broken?
If I were aware of any good reason for a security search, then simply ask me to open the bag BEFORE it gets loaded.
What I am concerned about is that anything can be taken (or added!!) to an unlocked bag. i hand it over locked and get it back unlocked, then Customs stop me, what defence have I if there is something added?
What you also imply is that the padlocks are broken at the DEPARTURE airport, rather than by your guys unloading the bags.
Don't the security implications of something nasty being added to a bag before flight cause you (and every airline) any concern?
I don't believe there is some magical cause or metal fatigue that spontaneously causes all the padlocks to pop open and fall off without any human interaction. How is it that so many padlocks are broken?
If I were aware of any good reason for a security search, then simply ask me to open the bag BEFORE it gets loaded.
What I am concerned about is that anything can be taken (or added!!) to an unlocked bag. i hand it over locked and get it back unlocked, then Customs stop me, what defence have I if there is something added?
What you also imply is that the padlocks are broken at the DEPARTURE airport, rather than by your guys unloading the bags.
Don't the security implications of something nasty being added to a bag before flight cause you (and every airline) any concern?
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A Chap I flew with in the late seventies had done quite a while as a baggage handler whilst paying for his flying training. Then as now, theft was rife. His advice was that the only way to make it even moderately difficult for the bad guys was a broad strap, KNOTTED. The reason was that the guys only have a few seconds to get in and out and resecure the bag. No time to undo and retie knots, and cutting the strap is too immediately obvious to the receiving pax, which points the finger at that particular handling crew. Padlocks could be twisted off, and the chaps knew how to drop the integral lock types in the right way so as to spring the locks, so the strapped cases tended to go in the too hard file. The straps have worked for me ever since.
On a lighter note, one for the conspiracy theorists. On the TSA site linked in a post above, check out the combination on the Fly Safe Padlock, (if it were upside down!). Lunatics in the asylum?
F88
On a lighter note, one for the conspiracy theorists. On the TSA site linked in a post above, check out the combination on the Fly Safe Padlock, (if it were upside down!). Lunatics in the asylum?
F88
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Virginpaul: So why are all these locks NOT still attached to their cases? It seems as if there is a physical action that breaks them off, as they can't all be in exposed places? That was the point of my original post: Why are so many padlocks "lost"?
I don't believe there is some magical cause or metal fatigue that spontaneously causes all the padlocks to pop open and fall off without any human interaction. How is it that so many padlocks are broken?
If I were aware of any good reason for a security search, then simply ask me to open the bag BEFORE it gets loaded.
What I am concerned about is that anything can be taken (or added!!) to an unlocked bag. i hand it over locked and get it back unlocked, then Customs stop me, what defence have I if there is something added?
What you also imply is that the padlocks are broken at the DEPARTURE airport, rather than by your guys unloading the bags.
Don't the security implications of something nasty being added to a bag before flight cause you (and every airline) any concern?
I don't believe there is some magical cause or metal fatigue that spontaneously causes all the padlocks to pop open and fall off without any human interaction. How is it that so many padlocks are broken?
If I were aware of any good reason for a security search, then simply ask me to open the bag BEFORE it gets loaded.
What I am concerned about is that anything can be taken (or added!!) to an unlocked bag. i hand it over locked and get it back unlocked, then Customs stop me, what defence have I if there is something added?
What you also imply is that the padlocks are broken at the DEPARTURE airport, rather than by your guys unloading the bags.
Don't the security implications of something nasty being added to a bag before flight cause you (and every airline) any concern?
They are picked up on loading and unloading from the ground around the aircraft. The fact is they are not up to the job.
As for something being taken or added to your bag.....watch the video in post #32
You may not agree that the locks just fall off, pop open. break etc. but you will have to accept the fact that they do.
Thread Starter
call100: You imply that the padlocks simply fall off due to the stresses of being shunted around as "they are not up to the job"....
Yet the post immediately before quotes:.......
Quite a different explanation and one that you do not even contemplate.
it simply defies belief that so many padlocks "fall off" without any human interference. I think we should agree to disagree as I know which I chose to believe.........
Yet the post immediately before quotes:.......
Then as now, theft was rife. His advice was that the only way to make it even moderately difficult for the bad guys was a broad strap, KNOTTED. The reason was that the guys only have a few seconds to get in and out and resecure the bag. No time to undo and retie knots, and cutting the strap is too immediately obvious to the receiving pax, which points the finger at that particular handling crew. Padlocks could be twisted off, and the chaps knew how to drop the integral lock types in the right way so as to spring the locks, so the strapped cases tended to go in the too hard file. The straps have worked for me ever since.
it simply defies belief that so many padlocks "fall off" without any human interference. I think we should agree to disagree as I know which I chose to believe.........
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Your theory doesn't tally with the amount of reported theft (Only know from my airport obviously) with the huge amount of padlocks collected.
This alone shows that the locks are not up to standard.
FOD on the ramp also includes...Case handles, Baggage labels (Leather and plastic types), Metal case logo's, Baggage straps. (Tie them don't click them), Case 'feet', etc etc. All from the general bashing they get in transit.
I have no doubt that the odd criminal mind would be working at any airport. However the sheer amount of lost locks means (according to your theory) that virtually every baggage handler rifles bags........Which of course is complete nonsense. If you believe that then give up flying. Certainly take the advice given and don't use padlocks.
Padlocks could be twisted off, and the chaps knew how to drop the integral lock types in the right way so as to spring the locks
FOD on the ramp also includes...Case handles, Baggage labels (Leather and plastic types), Metal case logo's, Baggage straps. (Tie them don't click them), Case 'feet', etc etc. All from the general bashing they get in transit.
I have no doubt that the odd criminal mind would be working at any airport. However the sheer amount of lost locks means (according to your theory) that virtually every baggage handler rifles bags........Which of course is complete nonsense. If you believe that then give up flying. Certainly take the advice given and don't use padlocks.
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Hello all, occasional lurker here. 
In 2007, when picking up our bags in Leeds Bradford after returning from a trip to Amsterdam (Jet2 flight), both me and my boyfriend noticed our padlocks had been torn off our cases - the zip tabs were actually twisted and the ends were snapped off. It looked like they had been pulled off by pliers or something. Luckily nothing had been taken - I try not to put anything valuable in there anyway - but it's not pleasant thinking of someone ripping your bag open and rifling through your personal stuff! There were no Jet2 staff in the baggage hall to ask, and being knackered and wanting to get home, we decided to leave it. (We did have cheapo cases and padlocks, so it was a lesson for us really - will invest in something better next time!)
I know a few people have recommended cable ties - but couldn't they be easily cut off if someone wanted to open it?
In 2007, when picking up our bags in Leeds Bradford after returning from a trip to Amsterdam (Jet2 flight), both me and my boyfriend noticed our padlocks had been torn off our cases - the zip tabs were actually twisted and the ends were snapped off. It looked like they had been pulled off by pliers or something. Luckily nothing had been taken - I try not to put anything valuable in there anyway - but it's not pleasant thinking of someone ripping your bag open and rifling through your personal stuff! There were no Jet2 staff in the baggage hall to ask, and being knackered and wanting to get home, we decided to leave it. (We did have cheapo cases and padlocks, so it was a lesson for us really - will invest in something better next time!)
I know a few people have recommended cable ties - but couldn't they be easily cut off if someone wanted to open it?