Taking a suitcase full of bubble wrap - is this ok?!

[CazB]

When we go we flight out economy but come back premium. We put a case within a case for flying out so if you had a slightly smaller case you could do it this way. (I too take my own bubble wrap to wrap up all my Bath and Body Work purchases). Out cases all have TSA locks on them and never had a problem with the locks getting broken when the cases have been searched.

Failing that I would spread the clothes that you are taking with you over 2 cases just to help with the weight as cases will be stored on top of one and other for your flight so would hate for your case to get ruined as a result.

[Caroian]

Originally Posted by Princesa

If you’ve got a built in lock have you not also got a tsa lock on them? Like on my Tripp suitcases I can use a code to lock them but there is also a tsa lock to override the code. Like in this photo

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The problem with using the inbuilt TSA locks is that if they can't open them for some reason (they don't have the correct key amongst their set, the key doesn't work etc) then they will possibly wreck the locking mechanism and possibly render the case unusable whilst getting in. This happened to my parents on their way back from the US a couple of years ago.

If you simply lock the zips together with a cheap padlcok (doesn't really matter if TSA or not - cheap ones will be cut for sure, but they're cheap enough to replace) they will simply cut the padlock off without damaging the case.

[floridasgirl]

Surely there's no reason to lock it if it's only bubble wrap in it?

[The Hulk]

We always put a case inside a case,no problems. Also,when you buy candles in b&bw ask for packing crates which are basically the cardboard packaging the store gets them in and they will give you some to take home for free,protects them and weighs nothing. Shops also will wrap gifts in bubble wrap for you when they are breakable/fragile if you ask.

[duchy]

If it will only have bubble wrap in it then I just wouldn't bother locking it either !

[lizzie145]

Originally Posted by scottsman

Having spoken to someone that works for the tsa they don’t want to cut a case open.
Every workstation has at least 1 tsa key, if the key doesn’t work because either it’s a non tsa lock or it’s a fake tsa lock then they need to call a supervisor and then drag the case to a workstation with cutting tools fill in a form and then cut the case open.

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or they just cut the lock off which is much easier

[Fancealot]

Surely they won't cut open a case, all you need is a ball point pen in the zip to separate the teeth and you're in, easy job and bypassed the locks

[Florida Gator]

We also take bubble wrap for the same reason. We will have a lot of it in our case but will have other stuff in the case too. Find it useful padding to protect bits in the case.

[shelle]

Originally Posted by Fancealot

Surely they won't cut open a case, all you need is a ball point pen in the zip to separate the teeth and you're in, easy job and bypassed the locks

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But then they can’t zip it up again as the pulls are still in the lock.

[PPM]

Originally Posted by Caroian

The problem with using the inbuilt TSA locks is that if they can't open them for some reason (they don't have the correct key amongst their set, the key doesn't work etc) then they will possibly wreck the locking mechanism and possibly render the case unusable whilst getting in. This happened to my parents on their way back from the US a couple of years ago.

If you simply lock the zips together with a cheap padlcok (doesn't really matter if TSA or not - cheap ones will be cut for sure, but they're cheap enough to replace) they will simply cut the padlock off without damaging the case.

See more...

Just buy a cheap TSA lock. But my Samsonite has a TSA built in lock and has been opened many times by TSA without any damage at all. I did get damage to the lock by it being caught on the conveyor. Samsonite warranty soon had that changed out.