They may not be as strong as a decent travel padlock but are cheap and easy to use if you have to replace a broken padlock while away.

one or two things to remember -

1 don't lock up the case until you really have to - unlike a padlock these are single use only!

2 you will need a small knife or scissor to cut the tie-wrap to open your case - may not be a problem when you get home, but could be a little difficult at the airport - don't forget no sharp items in your cabin luggage.

In the small compartment at the front I keep some nail clippers which I use for cutting the ties off.

Bob

I do not know when you had your luggage interfered with at Heathrow, but I was wondering if it was anywhere near the time of Olympics. At that time there were serious fears of terrorism and certainly at the major airports there was a security clampdown. Even at Jersey, which was seen as a back door entry to the UK there was increased security, including armed police and dogs in the arrivals hall and foreign nationals were herded into seperate areas for checking. Think yourself lucky because when you travel to the USA your hold luggage will be opened and searched at any time. Locked or not. That is why you should always use TAS locks when travelling to the States, so that they can open the cases without damage.

Cheers

Peter

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Traveling to the states, would it be better to have a Combination Padlock, or key padlock?

Hi

Use one of those USA approved TAS Padlocks. Can be bought at all good shops that sell suitcases. They are a combination lock but USA customs have a key that unlocks it. Glad I did, as, USA customs opened my case on my last trip home, but, I only knew they had done it because, they left a note in the case.

Steve

I always use a TSA padlock when I travel to the USA. I recently returned from a trip there and a friend of mine who was on the same flight as me discovered on arrival at Heathrow that the padlock on his case had been broken off and slipped into his case. We presume that this was done by US customs so that they could search his bag.

Rosie,

I don't think it matters if you have a combination padlock or key-operated padlock as long as its a TSA padlock.

Regards

Jim

I have a suitcase that is opened by a combination of numbers. It also has a TAS lock which USA immigration can use which overides the combination lock. Alternatively you can purchase a TAS padlock which the USA immigration people have master keys for.

Cheers

Peter

Heathrow immigration will DEFINITELY NOT have keys to open TAS locks. Only USA immigration have the keys and they are not sold anywhere. About a year ago there was a discussion on the Forum started by me and someone from the USA commented that it is not only foreigners that have their cases opened but Americans also. Apparently they leave a message in your case to say that they had opened it. Maybe the JY person was just lucky or it is now a random selection instead of everyone. The choice is yours.

Peter

Cindy

Hi Traveling to the states, would it be better to have a Combination Padlock, or key padlock?

hello - I've been advised to get TSA lock for suitcase. They will more than likely open your suitcase so rather than break it open, the TSA lock allows them to look without damage. I got 2 TSA locks and they cost me £10 so no un affordable.

enjoy your trip - I'm off to the states on 12 November:thumbup:

Came back from Boston weekend of 13th/14th and since there was no note I assumed they hadn't open it.

I was extremely annoyed to find that my new padlock had been taken off my case at some stage of my last flight from Heathrow to Belfast - anyone else have this problem with Heathrow? There was no note, sticker or anything to say it had been removed. I had just flown from Rio via Paris and had to retrieve my luggage and change terminals at Heathrow, so I know it definitely happened at this stage of my return journey. Heathrow also searched virtually everyone's hand luggage. I was on nine flights on my last holiday and didn't experience anything like this anywhere else. Heathrow seem to be a law unto themselves.

Bob

Hi Bob

Funny you should mention this. I am on suitcase number three this year as the first was broken in one of South Africa airports in March and the second in Heathrow in June on a return flight from Northern Cyprus. Didn't mind the first case being broken as it was old. But number two was a brand new though cheap one: the zip was broken and I wasn't sure what had done it or why. In the past my suitcase always got stuck on the ramp up to belt so just assumed the same had happened. Most annoying!

Also, I always lock my suitcase as I think that if ever I was pulled over at Customs at least I know I locked the case and it isn't left open for anyone to plant something in it. I'm not really a suspicious character!

Regards

Sylvia

I always leave my case unlocked, not that it contains anything valuable anyway !

Stuart

Anything of value is on me or in my hand luggage.

Cindy

All the best,

Bob[/i]