2006-06-06 20:00:06 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Packing & Preparation
yes. TSA agents will ask you to, otherwise.
2006-06-06 20:03:19 · answer #1 · answered by Petrarchan Motif 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't have to. But, you should understand that the TSA is allowed to open your luggage if they need to search it. So, you may find that your lock is missing when you get your luggage back.
Personally, I would rather lose a $5 lock than more valuable stuff in my luggage.
If you go to the store you can buy TSA approved locks so that they can use their master key to unlock it. You can get a key or a code lock and then on the bottom there is a place for the TSA to use their key to get in if needed.
If you don't have a TSA a lock, you could try this. First, you could just wait for luggage to go through. Tell them you locked and just stand by while they search it, sometimes, in bigger airports they don't appreciate this. So use your own judgement. Or, use a lock that uses a combination, when you give it to the TSA agent, tell them what the code is and they can write it on your luggage tag or something in case they need to get in.
Hope this helps!
2006-06-07 04:08:05 · answer #2 · answered by tech_fanatic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
U.S. rules differ from other places. In the U.S. you only have three real choices a TSA lock, plastic wrap or unlocked.
Outside of the U.S. you can still lock, but once the suitcase touches U.S. soil, the lock comes off (one way or the other).
Don't pack anything you aren't willing to loose. The past year has been bad, damaged, broken and stolen stuff from bags in the U.S.
2006-06-08 11:28:58 · answer #3 · answered by Robin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will need to purchase TSA locks. They have the master keys to all types of locks. If you do not have a set of TSA locks, they will ask you to unlock your suitcase with the intention of re-locking, but it doesnt always happen. Should you not unlock your bags and the locks not be TSA approved, if they have to search your bags they will just cut the locks off and not replace them. Its always worth it to spend the extra money and ensure the locks are approved by the TSA.
2006-06-10 08:10:21 · answer #4 · answered by southrntrnzplnt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must always lock your suitcase when checking-in preferably with an additional luggage belt-lock - suitcases have been known to be opened and ransacked by handlers despite being locked.
2006-06-06 20:04:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a Travel Sentry lock for your luggage. That way, you can leave your luggage locked and the TSA has a "master key" to unlock if they need to. You can get the Travel Sentry lock at places such as Wal-Mart and Target.
I've had them unlock my luggage before, but they never re-lock, which I don't get. Anyway, if they do need to get into your luggage, they'll leave a note saying that they needed to inspect your bags.
2006-06-09 03:43:15 · answer #6 · answered by worldglobetrottergirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Unless it says in the lock that it's customs friendly.
2006-06-06 20:03:48 · answer #7 · answered by DragonHeart18 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unless they tell you, you don't need to unlock it. They have machines where they can see the contents of your suitcase
2006-06-06 20:03:46 · answer #8 · answered by Amy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must lock your suitcase for safety whatever you are.
2006-06-06 20:03:37 · answer #9 · answered by Carol Chean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. or you can buy those that are ais certified. they pick your luggage at random for inspection, and if it happens to be locked they will break it and leave a note inside your luggage that it had been inspected
2006-06-11 10:31:19 · answer #10 · answered by pUrpLe coW 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, often times it's broken if you decide to lock it. it causes more suspicion
2006-06-06 20:07:22 · answer #11 · answered by Ms. Smiles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋