A special report just released in 2008 from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reveals that in a three-year period nearly 42,000 travelers have reported items as lost from their luggage at an estimated value of more than $31 Million. We are not talking lost for a couple of days. We are talking lost for good!! These reports do not include claims made directly to the airlines. Author TheEmptyCarousel a Consumer's Guide to Checked and Carry-on Luggage.
This might have been OK in the past but NOW TSA has the legal right to open and inspect any bag they choose and they do not have to have a reason. Random inspections are part of their business. As for TSA approved locks, yes the TSA has the ability to open any of these locks or any other lock for that matter and half the time the locks are not put back on after the inspection. Author of TheEmptyCarousel a Consumer's Guide to Checked and Carry-On Luggage
@bryce995 the point is quit being so paranoid and get on a plane. there are thousands of people sitting on a plane right now, how many do you think are going to have their stuff stolen?
The baggage handlers at Johannesburg give a rats ass about detection. They break into an average of 5 bags a flight, simply breaking the zippers off. The best thing you can do is absolutely free, and that is to have your bags seran wrapped before checking them.
So when you are a few thousand miles away on vacation & you pick up your luggage you will know that a few thousand mile away someone has stolen your stuff. Save your money & buy a better suitcase.
This is just useful if you don't want to be framed up for carrying illegal items to the airport. It's purpose is to avoid the possibility of someone PUTTING something in your luggage but not stealing something.
This is more for drug smugglers that put contraband in your bag. If you get caught, oh well. If not, they either steal it back, or mug you. I think its less effective against thieves.
Sure, as long as you're confident you could forge the signature on the Tell-Tag. Personally, I would always be able to identify a forgery of my own signature.
easiest thing to do is to put a TSA approved lock on your bag and let it go. If a theif wants to get into your bag, they will. If they steal something out of your bag in New York, and you don't notice it until you get to Sidney Australia... there's not much you can do from that point. Keep your valuables in your carry on luggage and ask for a private screening if they have to check it.
Thanks for your comment, but Tell-Tag is all about detection, not prevention. It puts you in control, so that you can declare a security breach before passing through Customs, where it's possible they may find something nasty in your bag (public luggage is now one of the easiest transportation options for traffickers). Also, I'm wondering how secure the TSA approved locks are, as I've heard the TSA use passkeys to open them. One wonders how many of these are now in the public domain?
TSA's keys are no different than the manufactures MASTER keys. They will open all locks that are in the same tumbler group. As far as detection, you can ask to have your bag "shrink wrapped" by TSA (yes they do have it) and put TSA tape over it. if you search for "how to open master locks" (or any other lock) on youtube, you will find that all locks are not breech proof, and the most expensive ones are not always the best. I've learned from experience.
@bootyinspectr I think the problem is someone adding something (drugs) which would ensure you going to prison for years, not losing a valuable which you can easily replace. You may have missed the point here.
@Pithead right there with you my friend.
ssini92 4 months ago
Easier would be just buy zippless luggage, it is more expensive but it is also safer.
TheProdigySupreme 4 months ago
@TheProdigySupreme If you lock an expensive hard case, you run the risk of the TSA breaking it open and ruining it :-(
p2v7neptune 4 months ago
Buy a new suitcase instead
jezzajames 7 months ago
Wow, I admire anyone who got the idea about it at the first place
artyachink 8 months ago
put it in a steal safe
sometingstupid1 9 months ago
Use a carry-on, and fedex your luggage. Costs about the same.
mhoop1 10 months ago
take that you TSA assholes. Always looking through my stuff and not even telling me
HedgehogStudios1 10 months ago
only pack stuff you dont mind getting stollen then who cares this is all you need to know when travelling
brettney72 1 year ago
A simple rule I've been following: If you can't afford to lose an item, DON'T take it with you when you travel. Leave it home.
If you MUST take it with you, have it insured properly.
happyhobbitses 1 year ago
A special report just released in 2008 from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reveals that in a three-year period nearly 42,000 travelers have reported items as lost from their luggage at an estimated value of more than $31 Million. We are not talking lost for a couple of days. We are talking lost for good!! These reports do not include claims made directly to the airlines. Author TheEmptyCarousel a Consumer's Guide to Checked and Carry-on Luggage.
S86281 1 year ago
This might have been OK in the past but NOW TSA has the legal right to open and inspect any bag they choose and they do not have to have a reason. Random inspections are part of their business. As for TSA approved locks, yes the TSA has the ability to open any of these locks or any other lock for that matter and half the time the locks are not put back on after the inspection. Author of TheEmptyCarousel a Consumer's Guide to Checked and Carry-On Luggage
S86281 1 year ago
@bryce995 the point is quit being so paranoid and get on a plane. there are thousands of people sitting on a plane right now, how many do you think are going to have their stuff stolen?
boobtbam 1 year ago
The baggage handlers at Johannesburg give a rats ass about detection. They break into an average of 5 bags a flight, simply breaking the zippers off. The best thing you can do is absolutely free, and that is to have your bags seran wrapped before checking them.
danjohnson10 1 year ago
how about you don't leave your bags unattended.... simple, cheap.
pmarinelli1 1 year ago
So when you are a few thousand miles away on vacation & you pick up your luggage you will know that a few thousand mile away someone has stolen your stuff. Save your money & buy a better suitcase.
ACCSESS247 1 year ago
I just ordered some of these. If they work well and are worth the money I just paid for them, I will recommend them to my clients :)
jodalee 1 year ago
The only problem I see with this is that TSA/airport will sometimes go through checked bags anyway. They won't think twice about the tell-tag.
hitokage4 1 year ago
where i can buy tell tag ?anyone know ?
dianahains 1 year ago
@dianahains - their website - search for Tell-Tag
p2v7neptune 4 months ago
This is just useful if you don't want to be framed up for carrying illegal items to the airport. It's purpose is to avoid the possibility of someone PUTTING something in your luggage but not stealing something.
rocapivideo 1 year ago
@rocapivideo Exactly !!!
p2v7neptune 8 months ago
This is more for drug smugglers that put contraband in your bag. If you get caught, oh well. If not, they either steal it back, or mug you. I think its less effective against thieves.
The4LA2Baker0 1 year ago
You're supposed to sign the tag
andyplace 2 years ago
Um if I wanted to steal or plant items, I would have a bunch of these on hand to replace the one I broke.. No?
oneminmaan 3 years ago
Sure, as long as you're confident you could forge the signature on the Tell-Tag. Personally, I would always be able to identify a forgery of my own signature.
p2v7neptune 2 years ago 10
easiest thing to do is to put a TSA approved lock on your bag and let it go. If a theif wants to get into your bag, they will. If they steal something out of your bag in New York, and you don't notice it until you get to Sidney Australia... there's not much you can do from that point. Keep your valuables in your carry on luggage and ask for a private screening if they have to check it.
bootyinspectr 3 years ago
Thanks for your comment, but Tell-Tag is all about detection, not prevention. It puts you in control, so that you can declare a security breach before passing through Customs, where it's possible they may find something nasty in your bag (public luggage is now one of the easiest transportation options for traffickers). Also, I'm wondering how secure the TSA approved locks are, as I've heard the TSA use passkeys to open them. One wonders how many of these are now in the public domain?
p2v7neptune 3 years ago 5
TSA's keys are no different than the manufactures MASTER keys. They will open all locks that are in the same tumbler group. As far as detection, you can ask to have your bag "shrink wrapped" by TSA (yes they do have it) and put TSA tape over it. if you search for "how to open master locks" (or any other lock) on youtube, you will find that all locks are not breech proof, and the most expensive ones are not always the best. I've learned from experience.
bootyinspectr 3 years ago
@bootyinspectr I think the problem is someone adding something (drugs) which would ensure you going to prison for years, not losing a valuable which you can easily replace. You may have missed the point here.
ampersandtay 4 months ago