Airline Luggage Locks?

[mpetti]

We are leaving tomorrow morning for WDW. We haven't been since 2007 and haven't been on a flight since then. We are flying Jetblue. They sent a email confirming the flight. I have always put locks on our luggage. Now they are saying don't lock your luggage. Does everyone not lock their luggage these days. I have never heard of this before. I know if they scan it and something doesn't look right they will break it open and that's fine. I don't have anything to hide. But I also don't want to lose anything we will need for the trip. Like my favorite Mickey Mouse Shirt...LOL. Just wondering if you don't lock your luggage has anything ever went missing. Thanks.

Maryann

 

[jrc-elpaso]

I got TSA approved combination locks at Walmart. They're not super strong but they would slow someone down - and the security people apparently have a key that opens them if they need to check your bags.

 

[taylor3297]

I don't bother locking my luggage at all anymore. The security people will do what ever is necessary to get into your luggage when they have to. Also, they just don't search luggage if something looks suspicious, they also choose bags at random to search. I have not lost anything since not using locks and my bags have been searched. I could tell my bag had been searched due to things being totally rearranged. So, if something really means a lot to you either leave it at home or carry it on board with you.

 

[dancin Disney style]

You can use cable ties to secure your bag. That's what we have been using for several years now. Just remember to put a small pair of scissors in an OUTSIDE pocket to cut it off when you arrive. It works great and the TSA and easily remove the tie if needed.

I have a tiny pair of cuticle scissors that I got at the dollar store and a bunch of cable ties that I just leave in my bags all the time.

 

[n2mm]

We fly to WDW 5-6 trips a year and have never locked our luggage and have never had a problem. My DH's opinion is if we locked it, it would surely mean we have something valuable inside.

 

[rflorek]

I got TSA approved combination locks at Walmart. They're not super strong but they would slow someone down - and the security people apparently have a key that opens them if they need to check your bags.

My co-worker bought these for his family's luggage and the Continental Airlines employees didn't want to bother using their keys and broke them all anyway. He's still complaining about the waste of money, and he traveled this past spring.


I don't even bother with a wire tie. I use a small pipe cleaner, or even one of my leftover twisties from my garbage bags. I normally travel by carry-on only, but since it's my DBF's first trip, I figure we'll need extra room for all of his souvenirs!!!

 

[JCornell]

My co-worker bought these for his family's luggage and the Continental Airlines employees didn't want to bother using their keys and broke them all anyway. He's still complaining about the waste of money, and he traveled this past spring.


I don't even bother with a wire tie. I use a small pipe cleaner, or even one of my leftover twisties from my garbage bags. I normally travel by carry-on only, but since it's my DBF's first trip, I figure we'll need extra room for all of his souvenirs!!!

We've been TSA Locks for the last couple years without incident.

 

[rflorek]

My DH's opinion is if we locked it, it would surely mean we have something valuable inside.

I might agree with your DH on that one.

 

[dancin Disney style]

My DH's opinion is if we locked it, it would surely mean we have something valuable inside.

Not neccessarily....a friend of ours is a ramp supervisor at the airport. A ton of people continue to lock their luggage. My friend says two things....

1. Never pack anything in a checked bag that you can't live without. You would be shocked at what people will put in their checked bags. Heart meds, jewellery, computers etc.

2. Take measures to secure your luggage. There are a more than a few baggage handlers that like to look through bags for fun and also to steal things. If there is a bag that is locked in some way they will pass it up because there are plenty of others that are not.


With the enormous number of bags that pass through an airport on any given day the odds of your bags being safe are pretty high. However, I feel that it's better not create temptation.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I use twist ties on my luggage. I do this to make sure that the zippers don't accidentally loosen resulting in things falling out. I figure that if somebody wants to get in my luggage then a cheap lock won't stop them. A twist tie still takes a bit more time than nothing. I don't check anything with great monetary value and sentimentally valuable things typically don't hold much value to a thief. My main reason for the twist ties though really is to prevent the zippers from sliding open by accident.

 

[TheWog]

I use TSA locks that we bought at Brookstone for about $20. They are bright glow green (also help to identify vs. all the other black suitcases on the carousel) and work great. They have an indicator that shows you if the TSA key was used to open them and come with a lifetime warranty that if they are ever cut, they will be replaced for free. I believe that if someone is looking to go through luggage for fun or to steal they will look at the easy mark than having to deal with breaking a lock or cutting a bag. Even if they did, they wouldn't find too much of great interest.

 

[purple figment]

TSA checks bags randomly so I just use twistie ties or large safety pins.

My sister in law bought TSA approved locks at a store. One of her bags was examined by TSA (they left a note indicating it had been examined), but the lock wasn't returned so she's decided that spending money on locks isn't worth it.

Kim T

 

[mzlee]

I've been using my TSA approved locks for a few years now and have never had a problem. I don't have anything to hide but I feel at ease by using them. I generally put all my valuable electronics in my carryon. I also use those bright colorful luggage tags to help me indentify my luggage but one always seems to come up missing from at least one of my luggage every trip.

 

[onelilspark]

I swear the Rochester airport searches every bag...either that or mine just looks suspicious. Every time I fly through my home airport, my bag is searched. I've give up on any kind of lock. I don't pack anything of value in my checked bag. If someone wants to steal my clothes it just gives me an excuse to go shopping!

A tip though: pack some Downy wrinkle release. Usually you can get a small travel sized bottle somewhere. They always go through my things and it's never packed properly again. I mean, I fold my things nicely because I care about my clothes. Drives me nuts. So when I unpack at my destination, I spray everything and it helps so I don't need to iron too.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Never lock my luggage, its pointless IMO.

 

[scard192]

I got TSA approved locks from Walmart. It's not the TSA going into my bag that concerns me, it's the baggage handlers.

 

[scard192]

I got TSA approved locks from Walmart. It's not the TSA going into my bag that concerns me, it's the baggage handlers.

 

[uva185]

I never lock my bag. I've been to six continents and never had anything stolen from my bag (including an overnight stay my bag had at the Johannesburg airport ). Instead of worrying about locking it I would advise you to not pack anything of significant value in your checked luggage.

Don't pack cameras, other electronics, medicine, jewelry, or other high value items in your bag. Not only will thieves target those items but they are NOT covered / insured if they are stolen or the airline loses your bag.

I personally think locking it signals there is something of value in the bag. Any of those locks could be broken open in a matter of seconds. You're joking yourself if you think someone will not look in a locked bag because it is inconvenient to pick the lock.

 

[angwill]

I have used the TSA locks for several years and never had a problem. They have searched them and put the locks back on. That's not to say they wouldn't cut it or not put it back on but the last thing I am worried about is a lock that costs a couple dollars. I don't pack valuables in my checked luggage just clothes and toiletries but I am partial to my things and don't want to lose them.

Like someone said it is not TSA that I don't want in my bags. There are baggage handlers to people at the resort who will handle my bag. I also don't want the zipper to open and my stuff to fall out.

 

[Boncho]

I got TSA approved combination locks at Walmart. They're not super strong but they would slow someone down - and the security people apparently have a key that opens them if they need to check your bags.

Same here!