US's TSA vs. UK's ICTS
 

I wanted to share with you what I learnt about the difference between the US and UK when it comes to airport/airline security.

When flying from the US, I wanted to lock my suitcase for the flight. In order to do so, I had to stand waiting as the suitcase went through the x-ray machine. After passing through, I was allowed to lock the suitcase.

On the flight back to the UK, at Gatwick airport I wasn't asked if my suitcase (or any of our checked in luggage) was locked. So, I told the staff at the check in desk that I'd locked my suitcase. I was told that that was OK. If ICTS (the contractor used for airline security at Gatwick) wanted to check my luggage, I would have to be present.

This implied that the lock would not have to be forced open because I'd be there to open the suitcase as well as witness the search. Unlike in the US, the likelihood of pilferring and stealing from a passenger's luggage is minimized because the owner of the luggage is present during the search.

I think TSA has a lot to learn. I can't remember the exact stats but I read in a US paper in the last couple of months that that about 30,000 passengers (maybe more) have made claims against the TSA since the implementation of luggage searches have occurred and the TSA (and the US government) has no procedures in place to deal with the complaints.




NC Penguin

Interesting stuff Penguin!

Though I think that if anyone were to search my luggage, (especially after visiting the UK) they would be sorely disappointed with their find - dirty washing!!! LOL

There's rarely anything worth nicking in my luggage anyway, I always carry all the important/expensive stuff with me in my hand luggage.

Thanks for the info anyway as I just assumed that you weren't allowed to lock your bags, full stop.

:D Cheers

Tam :)

Re: US's TSA vs. UK's ICTS
 

I have to fly Air France a lot. They often don't bother delivering my luggage to my arrival airport at all, so I would never know if it's been searched or not. :(