71% of Air Travelers Don’t Know They Can Lock Their Checked Bags

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Seventy-one percent of U.S. adult air travelers don’t know they can lock their checked baggage on commercial flights, according to a study conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by luggage security standards provider Travel Sentry. Nearly half of adult air travelers also say they would feel more comfortable about the security of their personal items if they could lock their checked baggage. The results suggest that in the aftermath of 9/11, stricter security regulations and recurrent terrorist threats, many air travelers don’t know what they can do to ensure their bags are more secure.

“This poll clearly reveals that many travelers still believe they can’t or shouldn’t lock their checked bags,” said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Spokesperson Greg Soule. “We encourage passengers to protect their personal items by securing their bags with TSA accepted and recognized locks which are available at many retail locations.”

The survey revealed that 23 percent of commercial airline travelers aren’t sure whether or not passengers are allowed to lock checked baggage on commercial flights, and 47 percent incorrectly believe they are not allowed to do so. Additionally, 48 percent say they would feel more comfortable about the security of their personal items if they could lock their checked luggage.

Travel Sentry has partnered with the TSA, manufacturers and distributors to develop a standards-based locking system that travelers can use to secure their luggage while still enabling TSA security officers to inspect bags as necessary. Travel Sentry approved locks open with special tools that are used by TSA security officers at U.S.-controlled airports (as well as U.K. customs officials at London area airports). This design eliminates intentionally broken locks and damaged bags while retaining access for TSA officers and travelers. “With the number of constantly changing threats, security guidelines, and global events, it’s no wonder air travelers are confused about how to approach luggage security,” said Travel Sentry President Joel Blumenthal. “Travelers will be relieved to know it is okay to lock their bags again.”

About the Survey
This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Travel Sentry between Oct. 3 and 5, 2006 among 2,382 U.S. air travelers 18 years of age or older (adults who have flown on a commercial airline). Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

With a pure probability sample of 2,382, one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results would have a sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points. However, that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.travelsentry.org.

SOURCE Travel Sentry