Missing padlocks on baggage
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
And for those of you who like the knotted strap or cord solution, here's a little extra and easily applied security check from the days of sail:
Thief knot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jack
And for those of you who like the knotted strap or cord solution, here's a little extra and easily applied security check from the days of sail:
Thief knot - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jack
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Lucky me - I have a reel of ParaCord that will do nicely! And that takes a LOT more than a quick slash with a craft knife to cut.
Great post!
Great post!
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Ex US, I have had my checked bags searched by TSA. I always leave them unlocked for this eventuality. TSA leave a note saying they have been searched but in my experience they do not latch them properly afterwards.
Only a very loosely replaced strap prevented all the contents spilling out on the tarmac. They won’t replace a cable tie either.
Only a very loosely replaced strap prevented all the contents spilling out on the tarmac. They won’t replace a cable tie either.
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Was trying not to post this, but, it's out there already and it illustrates my point....
YouTube - Open Locked Luggage
Look at the videos to the right and see how to open a baggage lock.
YouTube - Open Locked Luggage
Look at the videos to the right and see how to open a baggage lock.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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I'm a bit concerned about all this. IT appears that in all cases, it's possible that valuable stuff could be lost at any point on the transit chain....
If I was ever going to go on holiday to the States, say.. and i wanted a bit more security around my gear... would freight be safer? Less need for Customs to break open the bags if they've got a green form on the front?
If I was ever going to go on holiday to the States, say.. and i wanted a bit more security around my gear... would freight be safer? Less need for Customs to break open the bags if they've got a green form on the front?
Join Date: Apr 2010
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not sure if it's been mentioned, but at least in the UK (too my understanding), if baggage is required to be opened after various levels of screening, then the pax. will be summoned to be present at opening of said baggage, therefore removing the "theft" issue for the pax. concerned at least !
If the bag gets to level 5, is opened, and found inoccuous, is the PAX still removed from the flight? And if so, who picks up the tab?
Quote:
I fasten the two zips of my one together with a keyring. Not the whole thing, just the actual 'ring' part. Secure, but needs no tools to get it off. Easy.
If its easy to get off then why bother - seems to defeat the whole object of you supposedly securing it in the first place
Because they're fiddly and take time to undo, without being impossible (well if you're wearing gloves they are impossible). I've used them for years. They make the lock into a 'not worth the bother' deterrent.
I fasten the two zips of my one together with a keyring. Not the whole thing, just the actual 'ring' part. Secure, but needs no tools to get it off. Easy.
If its easy to get off then why bother - seems to defeat the whole object of you supposedly securing it in the first place
Because they're fiddly and take time to undo, without being impossible (well if you're wearing gloves they are impossible). I've used them for years. They make the lock into a 'not worth the bother' deterrent.
Why bother witha lock?
For many years I have travelled with my family and not bothered with locks on our suitcases. We are insured, we usually only take clothes, books and toiletries etc. in the cases and anything expensive comes as hand luggage. Don't have to remember codes or keys.
My experience of putting expensive items in the hold is that they don't get stolen but the bags end up in a different airport to your destination. And its usually these expensive items that you want/need immediately - I can buy a shirt anywhere, but if I need my laptop with data on it...............
My experience of putting expensive items in the hold is that they don't get stolen but the bags end up in a different airport to your destination. And its usually these expensive items that you want/need immediately - I can buy a shirt anywhere, but if I need my laptop with data on it...............
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I have just watched a TV documentary about Stansted, during which a (perfectly legal) gun was found in some checked in baggage. It was properly packed in a hard gun case and packed within softer articles in the case. The owner of the bag was called down and his already open bag was displayed to him. The only reason that the (unloaded, gas powered) gun was highlighted was that although legal in both UK and the destination country, the airline had a rule about not carrying guns. How I wonder, was the owner supposed to transport his sporting gun to his destination if airlines won't carry them?
I gave up locking my suitcases years ago on the premise that luggage padlocks are useless anyway. I simply use a keyring to secure(?) the cases.
I gave up locking my suitcases years ago on the premise that luggage padlocks are useless anyway. I simply use a keyring to secure(?) the cases.
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How I wonder, was the owner supposed to transport his sporting gun to his destination if airlines won't carry them?
I've seen people checking guns in cases in as checked baggage with BA. They had a heaps of paperwork, though, and the airline had been informed prior to the flight. So some airlines will carry guns in the right circumstances.
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Tightslot.
Freight? Sea? Doesn't really matter - the point being surely that he shouldn't have done what he did
I suppose shipping companies could invoke the same policy.
BTW I have seen rifles checked (in cases) in at the check in desk previously and that was also at Stansted.
I would have thought that enclosed in aircraft baggage would have been the safest place. Even more than a ship.
I suppose it's one way of making sure that the gun doesn't fly, and likely, neither does the pax ever bother again with that airline.
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Bags WARNING!!!!
If you notice that your bag has been tampered with, do not try to go through customs, it may be full of drugs!!!! Leave your bag where it is and call a security person. This could save you a long prison term! And in some countries a death penalty.
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I'm surprised that there is much concern expressed about securing luggage because I've been travelling extensively for very many years and have never ever bothered about locking luggage. For one thing I've always thought that security might need to open it when it's outside my sight and in any case I can't be bothered with messing about with locks. On the other hand I don't put anything of high value in checked luggage. Any valuable items I keep with me as hand luggage.
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I'm surprised that there is much concern expressed about securing luggage because I've been travelling extensively for very many years and have never ever bothered about locking luggage. For one thing I've always thought that security might need to open it when it's outside my sight and in any case I can't be bothered with messing about with locks. On the other hand I don't put anything of high value in checked luggage. Any valuable items I keep with me as hand luggage.