NOW YOU CAN LOCK YOUR LUGGAGE AGAIN!
Since 9/11 locking your luggage has become a security issue. Airports all over the world now demand the option to look inside your bags with or without your presence. Until recently when presented with a locked bag not accompanied by a traveler, security agents would simply cut your lock off and destroying it in the process.
If this concerns you, travel sentry certified™ locks are the answer you’ve been looking for. They are the newest and most in-demand travel accessory on the market and provide travelers with the option to once again lock their luggage thus preventing theft from your bag or possibly worse, the insertion of illegal materials that you unknowingly transport.
The locks, created by an organization called travel sentry, are the only locks recognized by the transportation security administration (tsa). Before now, airline passengers were urged to leave their checked bags unlocked or risk having their lock or bag damaged or destroyed if a hand-inspection was necessary. Now tsa baggage screeners are able to identify a travel sentry certified lock by a red and white diamond-shaped logo. The screeners have the proper tools to unlock these locks, then re-lock the bags and send them on their way.
On some locks, when unlocked by security agents, the red and white diamond will change color to green and white. If this feature is not available then security agents will put a note in your bag indicating it has been inspected.
According to an industry survey nearly 70 percent of travelers believe that locking bags deters pilfering. They are also quite fashionable as they come in all sizes, shapes and colors, each bearing the unmistakable red and white diamond-shaped travel sentry™logo.
The new travel sentry certified locks can be opened at checked baggage screening stations. The program has been up and running since mid-november, 2004 and soon will be required on all luggage.