I have never been to the States but am booked on the National Parks and Rushmore holiday going on 7th October from Manchester and my second new experience will be travelling with JY.

If you are doing the same how about making contact through the fine offices of this forum site?

Now that we have hit September I am starting to get that travel tingle and really getting down to thinking about this trip. My wife tells me that there are problems with luggage locks when going to the US.

Can anyone advise on this?

Love to here from you,

Photoman.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EARLYBIRD-SAVINGS-Combination-Suitcase-Luggage/dp/B009VV44LA/ref=sr_1_9?s=luggage&ie=UTF8&qid=1409644992&sr=1-9&keywords=tsa+padlock 

Other retailers supply them. They are combination locks but with a keyhole at the base. Only US authorities are supposed to have keys which bypass the combination.

Have a great trip - this one has been on my list for quite some time.

I to love that description...

You don't have to have certain locks, if you have a normal lock then they just break it and leave a note in your bag. If they have to search your bag. I personally have friends in security at LHR and behind the scenes and I choose to leave my case unlocked, anything that's important or worth anything travels with me on the place, this is a personal choice.

Cindy

You have chosen a cracking hol for your first US tour but be warned, expect some long days its very hectic but well worth it.

As for suitcase locks I personally dont bother but use plastic cable ties although you need to have something when you arrive to cut them off. I leave a pair of nail clippers in a outer pocket of my luggage which i dont put a tie on.

Enjoy your trip.

Mick

Have a great trip to the US next month. I am on the Route 61 in November. As everyone else has said, have a TSA lock and keep your valuables with you. Leave nothing of value in your suitcase.

Jan

Hi Photoman,

You have chosen a cracking hol for your first US tour but be warned, expect some long days its very hectic but well worth it.

As for suitcase locks I personally dont bother but use plastic cable ties although you need to have something when you arrive to cut them off. I leave a pair of nail clippers in a outer pocket of my luggage which i dont put a tie on.

Enjoy your trip.

Mick

I use a TSA lock whenever I go to the States. It has a special symbol on it and Security there have a master key. When I returned home from California last year my suticase had its strap intact around it and locked as I'd left it when I retrieved it from the conveyor belt. It wasn't until I opened it at home that I found a letter in there saying that they had used their master key to open it for a search! They put everything back as it was afterwards and nothing was missing or messed up and my padlock was intact - so I was quite impressed!

I love the idea of 'that travel tingle' - it's a perfect description! Your wife is right about the padlock - you need a TSA approved one. The link below is a suggestion:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EARLYBIRD-SAVINGS-Combination-Suitcase-Luggage/dp/B009VV44LA/ref=sr_1_9?s=luggage&ie=UTF8&qid=1409644992&sr=1-9&keywords=tsa+padlock 

Other retailers supply them. They are combination locks but with a keyhole at the base. Only US authorities are supposed to have keys which bypass the combination.

Have a great trip - this one has been on my list for quite some time.

Thanks for your advice, its helped me to get sorted now!

Photoman

I to love that description...

You don't have to have certain locks, if you have a normal lock then they just break it and leave a note in your bag. If they have to search your bag. I personally have friends in security at LHR and behind the scenes and I choose to leave my case unlocked, anything that's important or worth anything travels with me on the place, this is a personal choice.

Cindy

Thanks for the advice!

I am on this holiday, I have now started the countdown. I have done several JY holidays but this is my first long haul.

Nice to hear from you Dave, hope we have a good trip! Not been with JY before.

Hi Photoman,

You have chosen a cracking hol for your first US tour but be warned, expect some long days its very hectic but well worth it.

As for suitcase locks I personally dont bother but use plastic cable ties although you need to have something when you arrive to cut them off. I leave a pair of nail clippers in a outer pocket of my luggage which i dont put a tie on.

Enjoy your trip.

Mick

Thanks for the warnings and advice! I am really looking forward to it!!

Hello All,

Have a great trip to the US next month. I am on the Route 61 in November. As everyone else has said, have a TSA lock and keep your valuables with you. Leave nothing of value in your suitcase.

Jan

Many thanks for your advice! Hope you enjoy your Route 61, but I seem to have Route 66 in my mind!!