Entry into USA

[simongr]

Colleague of mine owns a had case samsonite suitcase and he didnt understand about TSA locks until we were in a samsonite store in the US and showed him the flag etc. The lock on his samsonite was smashed oon his last trip to the US...

 

[Mal]

Between the TSA and baggage handlers, no suitcase is safe heading over to the U.S as checked luggage.

From my recent trips:
Itin 1: Bag thrown about considerably. Damaged some items inside. Not opened by TSA.
Itin 2: Bag zip ripped apart by machinery somewhere. [appears the tongue of the zip was jammed on some machinery and completely torn off damaging the zipper and zip] Bag was not locked, but zip will never close properly again (Of course the airline involved says zip damage isn't covered :shock: and travel insurance looks to be of limited use in this case )
Itin 3: Bag later secured with TSA packing straps. Bag was opened somewhere through the journey, but no TSA insert enclosed. Baggage straps just about cut from rubbing against other items during transit (already frayed).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

In my experience TSA does not always leave the note when they inspect, even though they are supposed to.

 

[robert novak]

Hi Redrat,

Well, I didn't seem to have any problem when I went MEL-LAX (and actually locked my bags with Samsonite combination locks). They didn't break them, but I wonder how they managed to guess the combination from 9999 possible ones ?

You also get a little flyer inside it (I still have mine as a souvenir) from the TSA, and it says "As part of this process (baggage inspection) some bags are opened and physically inspected. Your bag was among those selected for physical inspection"

Lucky me. It was probably all the boxes containing my tie clips / belts / ties that they looked at. The x-ray machines are probably fitted with Hugo Boss detectors

"During the inspection, your bag and it's contents may have been searched for prohibited items. At the completion of the inspection, the contents were returned to your bag, which was then resealed."

Yes. It was. With CABLE TIES ! :roll:

"If the TSA screener was unable to open your bag for inspection because it was locked, the screener may have been forced to break the locks on your bag. TSA sincerely regrets having to do this, and has taken care to reseal your bag upon completion of inspection. However, TSA is not liable for damage to your locks resulting from this necessary security precaution." (verbatim from the flyer that I got from LAX-CHI-ALB)

TSA: Our Travel Assistant

in reference to luggage; best thing is to use plastic cable ties as mentioned and i have also seen people completely rap luggage with thick industrial plastic rap(glad rap)! looks abit radical but hard to tamper with!

 

[Evan]

Glad/plastic wrap method also protects the bag. but really its a travel bag it going to be get some abuse somewhere along the line, machine or human.

Interesting i often use a hiking pack and never not once been inspected, i think they look at it and just say too hard ! the suit cases are easier to inspect. Or maybe i was never randomly chosen or carry dodgy looking things in my bag don't know but just wondering if anybody else with packed hiking packs has the same expereince ?

E

 

[Febs]

travel insurance looks to be of limited use in this case )

When I was in a similar situation last year (zipper damaged but still useable, outside frayed - aesthetic damage only) I went back to David Jones to have it sent to the suitcase repair place. I was expecting to be charged for the repair, then claim it back from travel insurance.

I was on my way out the door when the salesman called me back and said "My supervisor just looked at the bag, and advised that the repair centre can't fix either problem". Even though the zipper problem was probably a $20 fix, apparently it's something they don't do.

So....I wrote back to my travel insurance co (Chubb, underwritten by JLTA with words to that effect ("Repair centre claims this bag is un-repairable"), a few photos of the damage, and the original receipt (from a few months earlier). Shortly after I received a cheque for the full amount ($195...it was one of those 30% off Samsonite deals).

Worth a shot.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NYCguy]

Glad/plastic wrap method also protects the bag. but really its a travel bag it going to be get some abuse somewhere along the line, machine or human.

Which is why I laugh when I see people checking in any brand of super-deluxe suitcase. You know, those French or Italian ones, with a famous monogram or recognisable pattern on them...

 

[Flashback]

Which is why I laugh when I see people checking in any brand of super-deluxe suitcase. You know, those French or Italian ones, with a famous monogram or recognisable pattern on them...

LV, anyone? Only $7000..

 

[NYCguy]

LV, anyone? Only $7000..

Quite. Instantly recognizable, and appallingly vulgar.

 

[clifford]

LV, anyone? Only $7000..

But not in Bangkok...

 

[straitman]

But not in Bangkok...

....or Hong Kong :!:

It's all about image.

 

[oz_mark]

....or Hong Kong :!:

It's all about image.

or several other cities/countries that have night markets...

 

[mainly tailfirst]

If she was planning to go for 3 months , why didn't she tell the immigration officer at her interview?

Do we know if she 'changed her mind' after the initial interview? Occasionally that happens.
I've had employers do that to me.
IME, the initial 'length of stay' that is put on the DS-156 is regarded as inidictive only (esp. for multiple entry visas). Once you have your visa, the allowed time in the country will be determined by the immigration official who stamps your I-94. Changing the desired length of stay from 21d to 85d might get some eyebrows raised - hopefully the applicant has a plausible (and real) reason.

I would suggest contacting the US Embassy where she got the visa issued and tell them that she has changed her plans and wants to stay for the 3 months and whether she needs to do anything

Dave

Completely agree. Though I suspect the applicant will simply be told, "well you've got a multiple entry visa whose maximum stay exceeds your requested time, so that is fine. Of course, it depends on the immigration officer at the port of entry, so we can't make any guarantees, etc etc". That is my experience with B1/B2 visa applications.

mt

 

[NM]

or several other cities/countries that have night markets...

Petaling Street in KL is open both day and night .

 

[Therma]

Over this weekend I am flying MNL-ICN-LAX, arriving @1340 on the 10th ( or thereabouts since OZ-204 does not have the best punctuality - on the other hand if you have someone to book you the ticket in MNL, the flight will cost 2.5K US for Z class!). I would love to change to flight that arrives 24 hours later, but am worried I will be late for my presentation dinner which is at 6 pm.

Has anyone been through LAX lately, around that time on the weekends and can advise me on clearance times through immigration and luggage retrieval? Hotel is one hour drive from LAX, so I would love to get out of the airport by 4 pm. Is that realistic? My last trip to LA was a bit hazy since my night flight was wedged between China Airlines, PAL and EVA, all the people who get frisked mercylessly by immigration, and the were all ahead of me.
Needless to say it too me quite a while to get out and a lot longer since TG lost my luggage.

Can anyone share their afternoon Sunday LAX Terminal B experience with me?

Thanking you in advance

 

[NYCguy]

It's all about image.

Every time I see a LV suitcase, I can only think of JLo. Not the image I personally wish to portray.

 

[winetraveller]

Every time I see a LV suitcase, I can only think of JLo. Not the image I personally wish to portray.

Every time I see one I think it's probably a fake.