Missing padlocks on baggage
 

I've done a search but can't find much help on this.

On the last three Monarch flights from Luton to Almeria and return, each time the padlocks on our bags have disappeared when collected from the carousel.
There does not appear to be sufficient time at arrival, so assume something must be happening after check-in.

I have not had a response from Monarch to this question, but as no apparent damage to the bags, clips etc, it would appear that the padlocks have been deliberately cut away.

Can anyone confirm whether this is some sort of standard security measure to remove padlocks? It seems to me to be exactly the opposite, as anyone can access the bags, either to add or remove items!!

Is there any sensible way to ensure that our bags are secure? Surely if there is a need to open a bag, a public address call would allow the bags owner to open the lock with the key or combination.

Hope someone can shed some light on why this is happening.

this is how works in the US TSA: Air Travel

Probably the same in europe, a post 9/11 thing i guess...

Regards
Raffi

Baggage is screend after check-in and may need to be opened to 'check' certain items. . . I suspect that this is where your locks are going missing. The TSA system allows 'security' to open the case inspect it and re-lock it. :ok:

Well you've had 2 answers that apply to the US. However, in your case, being the nasty suspicious individual I am, I would be suspicious of a more malicious intention! If security is going to do that, I would have thought they should put something on your bag or a sheet of paper inside notifying you of removal for security checking! I think your bag may have been 'valuables-checked'! So what would they do with internal case combination locks? Easier to saw yours off!

The OP was regarding flights from Luton to Almeria.

Almeria is in Spain not the USA.

I have never had padlocks removed on any flights around Europe.

The only advisory I have heard regarding padlocks has always been for flights into and out of the USA.

Regards,

G-BPED.

Clarification - TSA is American. If you travel to the States the TSA have the authority to search your luggage. This includes cutting away your locks (including the special TSA approved ones - they can't always remember where their master key is after they lent it to their dodgy friend you see...)

As far as I'm aware there is no other country in the world that forbids you to lock your luggage. Seems to me that someone somewhere is trying to be opportunistic. And as your bags were in the care of Monarch at the time, the buck stops with them. Keep on at them till you get a response!

This is not limited to Luton or Monarch. I work for a major holiday company and an increasing number of pax arriving in resort from Manchester are filing complaints that their cases have had locks removed, cases damaged and items stolen.

This may help you...Part of my job entails ensuring the aircraft stands are clear of debris. The object most found are .....You guessed....Luggage padlocks.
They get banged about in the general business of load and unload and as they are totally useless they snap open.
I have a nice collection of combination locks....No one seems to change the code they come with!!!..
When I travel I always use cable ties to lock the case...The only way to get into the case is to cut them so you can be sure someone has been in or not.
On a recent trip to the US I had 3 cases TSA opened one (cut the cable tie) and left a note to say so...
This does not include the obvious few that are broken into deliberately for crooked purposes.
Hope that gives you some clue as to where yours may have gone...

The answer is don't put anything of value in checked bags. Padlocks are an open invitation for crooked ground staff to break in as they, rightly or wrongly, suggest that they may be "securing" something of value in the bag.

Do, however, leave plenty of smelly underwear for them to sort through :E

the other viewpoint . . . . . . . . .
 

Maybe I've just been lucky, but must report no problems at all !

Live in Cheshire, usually fly out of EGCC, four or five mini-padlocks on each of our suitcases, no problems at all in most recent several trips. Europe, Middle East, Canada . . . . . . but NOT America ! !

I've had a bit of trouble with this as well (see http://www.pprune.org/passengers-slf...-padlocks.html ).

So I've given up on padlocks, and use zip-ties instead - just make sure you have some nail clippers in you hand luggage to open the case at your destination. (Guess how I came up with that handy hint...:\ ).

And, as usual, never put anything in the hold that you're not prepared to lose.

Best Regards,

Atlantean

Nail Clippers!? In HAND LUGGAGE? What are you thinking man :p

I always use cable ties and make sure nothing valuable is in the hold luggage.

Clippers - not scissors!

The worst I could do is threaten to give the crew a bad manicure...:eek:

Best Regards,

Atlantean.

Berliner Lufthäfen (the authority managing Berlin's airports) does do secondary inspections. They open combination locks and relock everything afterwards, leaving a piece of paper in there telling you why they had to open your suitcase.

S.

If nothing has been removed from the bag and contents show no signs of being tampered with the likelihood is that the padlocks have suffered 'trauma' somewhere in the handling process and parted company with the baggage quite innocently. Even the best designed automated baggage handling systems have gaps / joints / angles / turns / height changes which can and often do snag things like padlocks, straps and unstowed handles. You'd be amazed at the number of 'broken' bits the maintenance crews regularly remove from the baggage handling systems. At best most small padlocks on baggage offer only minimal protection if indeed any. The psychological benefits for the passenger (I've locked it therefore it must be secure and safe) far outweigh the actual pyhsical benefit gained from these 'toy' padlocks. Try busting one yourself and maybe you'll think twice about using one again.
Best use luggage with inbuilt (flush mounted) combination locks, you can now buy luggage which offers both combination and key operated flush mounted locks. Add a combination lock luggage strap for added peace of mind (making sure the lock mechanism fits snuggly against the case/bag) and finally if you really want to truss your luggage up like a Christmas Turkey then use cable ties.
The ultimate 'protection' is the shrink wrap service offered at some airports but you have to ask yourself 'why' and consider your Eco credentials when contemplating covering your luggage in swaiths of plastic.
Best thing to do is use your checked-in luggage to carry only clothes or items of little value and always carry your valuables in your carry on baggage.
Enjoy your next trip:)

Thanks to all for your responses.
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. That's why I feel it is a more deliberate action in removing, especially as there is no deformation or other damage to the zippers etc. We do not put into the hold anything we couldn't live without (and only had hold bags this time as we were stocking up our apartment in Mojacar). In fact on our return we had one bag inside the other with just laundry and a few bits and bobs, so the case was practically empty.
I don't have a problem if security need to access bags, BUT if so then at least leave a not or similar. I still feel that if it is security, then surely a call could be put out to go to a specified place where you could unlock the bags for a search. That way everyone knows what is going on.
The suspicion I have is that it occurs in Almeria as there the bags have plenty of time for anything to happen, rather than at Luton where they seemed to come straight off the aircraft and appeared as soon as we got to the carousel. It's just a nuisance, rather than a problem.

BladePilotEver travelled through African airports ...??? Johannesburg is a corker and I pay the £5 every time.

Shrinkwrap AND padlock it when going through African airports. At least then you know it IS safe, in a way.

S.

damaged luggage
 

Last 3 trips, 1 British Midland and 2 British airways, have lost the handle of the trolley, a wheel and a zip. British Midland quite inefficient in handling but British Airways very slick and quick in handling any complaint. Never used to have any problem so I dont understand why it is so common now.