How to protect your luggage during airport security checks
In this age of heightened security when travelling, all luggage needs to be screened before being loaded on to an airplane. Applying these tighter security measures mean that airport security officials have the right to search inside any piece of luggage to ensure that it is safe for travel. In practical terms, this means that your bags may have to be opened before any flight by security staff.
If you use a typical padlock to keep your case secure and your belongings safe, the authorities may have to cut the lock away entirely in order to access the inside of your case. Worse still, if officials can’t remove the lock, they will need to use force to open it. This can cause severe damage to your expensive luggage in order to get into the contents.
The good news is there is a simple way to avoid this problem and maintain the security of your possessions. A Travel Sentry Approved padlock not only protects your luggage, it prevents the damage that can occur if your bags are chosen to be opened before a flight.
What is a Travel Sentry® Approved lock?
Have you ever noticed a ‘Red Diamond’ logo on some locks? Or read that a lock is Travel Sentry Approved?
Travel Sentry is a global security system that allows luggage to be locked, whilst permitting security authorities to open and inspect the contents of a bag without damage to the lock or luggage. The system is designed to ensure security, but also prevent any inconvenience and expense to the traveller.
Created in 2003, Travel Sentry is the group in charge of overseeing the creation and approval of luggage locks that can be opened by aviation and security agencies like the TSA (The Transportation Security Administration a department of the US Department of Homeland Security). The system is now very well recognised around the globe. The group is totally independent - they don’t manufacture locks or luggage, or directly sell any products. They licence manufacturers and distributors in the travel goods Industry who are able to meet Travel Sentry’s quality, technical and marketing standards. So, when you see a lock with a ‘Red Diamond’ logo you can have confidence that it meets their strict requirements.
The benefits of using a Travel Sentry® Approved lock are clear.
A Travel Sentry lock has been manufactured so that it can be only opened with a secured tool that is held exclusively by security authorities at airports. The tools are not available to general airport staff to ensure strict security. Therefore, if your bag is selected for closer inspection and requires opening, the security staff can access the contents without damaging or cutting the lock or mechanism. After they complete the search, they can easily re-lock your luggage. If your bag is inspected, it is standard practice for a note to be left inside your luggage.
Why choose a Yale Travel Sentry® Approved Lock?
Since 1843 Yale have been at the forefront of security solutions. We are trusted globally, providing locks of every design and operate in over 125 countries. As one of the oldest international brands, Yale is among the best-known and most respected names in the lock industry, with millions of Yale locks in use worldwide.
Our new high quality Yale Travel Sentry Approved Padlock is designed to protect your luggage and give you peace of mind when travelling. We have a wide variety of different styles to suit different types of luggage, so it’s simple to secure yours. You can be safe in the knowledge that they offer all the protection you would expect from a normal padlock, but crucially they can be opened by the security services, and not damaged in the process.
