flying to usa luggage?

Question

I am flying to usa from uk can I lock my suitcase or do I have to leave it open

Answer 1

TSA approved padlocks are easy to find in almost all shops which sell cases. They are locks to which US officials have a master key and can open them to examine your luggage. Please be aware though that any TSA lock key will, in my experience, open any TSA lock. I have six TSA locks, purchased in pairs on three separate occasions from different stores and any one key opens them all. I suppose they give the illusion of security though. Best advice is not to pack any valuables, jewellery, cameras and so forth in your hold baggage and take them with you as hand luggage. I have had US officials open my bags on a couple of occasions and the only way I knew this was because they put a note in the case to explain that they have done this.

Answer 2

You can lock it but you need a tsa approved padlock. If your padlock it pre sept 11th then it wont be tsa approved. It just means they can unlock it without hacking it off.

Answer 3

they check bags all the time and leave note