Travelling to the USA

When returning from Cleveland last September ( the 11th, as luck would have it) we were advised by Continental to leave our cases unlocked. One of our party said that he never locks his cases and has never had a problem.
Locks only keep honest baggage handlers out, but insurers probably won't see it that way.
Have you asked your insurers for clarification?

Tony

Last time I went (last May) the checkin clerk at BA took a note of the lock combination so that the case could be easily opened.


Most of your valuable toys - eg camera, laptop, Mrs Micks diamonds etc are hand carry items, clothes are disposible anyway

Visiting the US is not mandatory - if you do not like the conditions then do not go -

What is a more critical is ensuring that you have a MR passport issued before October 26th 2004(I think) on the surface a daft statement but if anyone is planning to go after that date and their current passport expires after that date and before mid 05 (wnen bio metric data should be incorporated in UK MR passports) then they will have to get a visa from the US Embassy which will involve a visit to the Embassy.

Derek

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I fly to the US on business quite a bit.

Typically on departing flights from Europe (KLM) they don't say anything about leaving your case unlocked. Though it does'nt stop the security people from opening them. I have a Samsonite w.a combo lock which I know was opened and showed signs of levered edges at the sides. Nothing missing but no leg to stand on when it comes to complaining.The plastic suitcases recover from a lot of abuse so mine is still working fine.

In the US on deomestic flights they almost invariably asked if the case was locked and advised me to unlock it to avoid risk of damage. I bought a brightly colored heavy duty strap as a result which acts as a "safety" to avoid accidental unlatching in handling and is usefull as an identifier on the baggage conveyor.

I have been going thru'this regularly since the final tightening of US security after 911 and have not "lost" anything from my checked baggage. I do put my camera / laptop / cd player etc in my cabin bag.

The other thing you will find is that US security at airports is going to get you as close to being undressed as possible before you pass through. Typically you will be asked to remove any computer you have from your hand luggage, take off coats regardless of empty pockets, remove belt & watch and remove your shoes. Allow plenty of time to check in and get thru'this. Arriving 3 hours before a flight leaves may seem a little extreme but at the wrong time of day (business travel) it will get eaten up fast.

Don't let it put you off though. Everybody is very philosophical about it. I have had some very interesting conversations with fellow travellers waiting in line to pass thru'security.

Good Luck

BTW. Are you driving up to San Diego or flying?. It aint easy to cross the border from mexico by car either. If you are on a schedule allow an hour for the queue at Tijuana for example.

regards
GEOFF

quote:

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Originally posted by Mick Parry:
...Therefore the advice is to leave the suitcase unlocked. This of course invalidates any insurance claims.

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Are you sure about this? If a case was stolen then the insurer would neither know nor care whether it was locked. As for theft from a case - I'd check with your insurer and change insurer if necessary.

I rarely travel abroad but when I do I have never locked my cases. I use zip-up cases with straps that can cover the zippers. That way, any potential thief in the baggage handling has to undo at least one strap before finding out whether the case is unlocked.

Do not lock your suitcase if flying in US. They do go through your luggage.

True

I suspect that this trip will be my last. I am not paying good money to be treated like a criminal.

Regards

Mick

The answer is blindingly obvious:

Don't check in any luggage. Bring a wheelie and a shoulder bag onboard with you (let resort/hotel staff wash your laundry every few days). Don't pack or carry knives and razors and don't wear metal-reinforced shoes or a metal-buckled belt. Simple.

Also, watch Traffic the night before to reinforce your trust in the Mexican police. Wear that Leica around your neck and that fancy watch around your wrist and wear them proudly gringo!

quote:

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Originally posted by Mick Parry:
True

I suspect that this trip will be my last. I am not paying good money to be treated like a criminal.

Regards

Mick

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Full agreement. I think we ought to remove the metal detectors as well. I mean HONESTLY? What are the odds that something could go wrong?

Judd

One thing you will need to prepare for when visiting America is standing in loads of queues at the airports.

Our recent trip to NZ and SF included the delight of a total of 18 hours standing in various queues for various checks on immigration and security.

Half our flight from SF had ALL their hand luggage tipped out onto tables and examined item by item and repacked.

The lesson is to wear comfortable shoes, bring a good paperback and stay calm, and don't expect anyone to know what the hell is going on.

I know the excess security is necessary (?!) but that doesn't stop it being a right pain in the arse.

DS

OTD - Elektrochemie LK - When I Rock

Justin

I can understand the USA taking precautions but I also have the right not to put up with OTT security.

Two years ago I was crusing the caribbean and had to queue for 2 hours during the middle of the cruise (5 days after we set off) just to let some bored official look at my passport. This apparently is American law that non Americans must go through this pointless procedure.

In October, we will need a special passport just tovisit America. This will put thousands off visiting your country which does your tourist industry no favours at all.

I have no objection to searches but I strongly object to long queues.

Regards

Mick

Mick,

Where are you traveling in Mexico?

All about the greenback

The low American dollar is likely to have Orlando flooded with pasty-skinned Brits and Germans this Spring and Summer.

We are on a cruiser calling in at various ports. Mrs Mick has arranged it all.

Regards

Mick

quote:

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Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Justin

I can understand the USA taking precautions but I also have the right not to put up with OTT security.

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This is true. You have the right not to put up with the searched. You can choose not to come.

quote:

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I have no objection to searches but I strongly object to long queues.

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Wait a minute. Is it the long lines that have you feeling like a "criminal" or the searches? I thought you DID have an objection to the searches.

Judd

quote:

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Originally posted by Ludwig:
_The answer is blindingly obvious:_

Don't check in any luggage. Bring a wheelie and a shoulder bag onboard with you

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I am utterly sick of people who bring their suitcases onto the plane. If the cabin staff don't intercept them and put them in the hold, the remaining passengers have to wait while some stupid, selfish fuck tries in vain to jam an oversize case into the overhead locker, usually crushing someone's jacket, before giving up.

Have a little think about the available amount of space in the cabin if everyone brought a case on-board.

Brian OReilly

What's your position on this matter? The US should not be permitted to search checked bags? What about carry-on bags? May they search those, or should those also be off limits?

Judd

I can accept customs checking my luggage in my presence.

What appears to be happening is that the American authories are opening suitcases when the owners are not present and will force open locks if necessary. That is unacceptable. My initial question was to determine if this was true and evidently it is.

I shall not be visiting the US after this trip, you can hardly blame me for that.

Regards

Mick

I can understand the merrycans concern, and it's tough if you need to go there on business, but standing in queues for 18 hours is not my idea of a holiday. Go somewhere else.

C'mon Mick
You know this is done for YOUR and the rest of the passangers security. If you are that upset,
just leave your dirty underwear on top. That will teach them
Now, 18 hours on line? Its recommend that you arrive 2 hours before departure to get all this out of the way. I just cant imagine this. I remember reading about this shortley after 9/11 but now?
Relax Mick and have a good time. Iwas searched about 9 years ago before entering the Tower of London. This is the world we live in

So tell me, after Madrid, are we still taking this terrorism thing too seriously?

It was 18 hours for 6 flights, not 18 hours in one queue!

The longest set of queues was 4+ hours in LAX

DS

OTD - Hennes & Cold - The second trip

I have no objection to being searched and queuing is a fact of life. What I do object to is having my suitcases opened when I am not around and being told to leave them unlocked.

I have already paid for the holiday so I am stuck but next year it will be anywhere except America.

Regards

Mick

There's no excuse for this amount of queuing - they need to recruit more staff if you have to wait for such a long time at customs etc. I am now getting worried as I have to pick up a connection in Miami to go to Belize in a few days!
On the subject of locking your suitcases, you should never lock them regardless of where you are going. I don't see what the problem is.
Simon

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian OReilly:
I am utterly sick of people who bring their suitcases onto the plane blah blah blah...

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Personally I can't relate as US flights don't allow suitcases unless they're 22"x14"x9" or less, my loyalty status gets me on board before the cattle, and my two carry-ons are always within regulation dimensions. Sorry, but I couldn't care less about other people's whining once I'm seated.

quote:

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Have a little think about the available amount of space in the cabin if everyone brought a case on-board.

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Why bother? The loyalty programs, pricing economics/ cabin class system, and capacity planning will ensure that this is never the case.

Any chance you're related to Bill?

4 hrs on line at LAX? How long ago was this? I have no reason to doubt you but I cant believe this is the norm.
We , at least us New Yorkers, have very little tolerance when it comes to waiting on lines so I cant see this problem not being addressed.
My last flight was New York to Florida. I arrived 2 hours early like they suggested. Expecting long lines I was pleasantly surprised how quickly everything went. My problem now was how I was going to entertain myself since I had quite some time before takeoff.

I just made coffee...anyone want some?

You flew internal, we poor sods are flying international and get treated like criminals.

Regards

Mick