cable ties?

[disneyfanzz]

I keep reading about cable ties for your lugguge. What are they and why do I need them?
Thanks!

cruisin' in December with DH, DS7, DD2, DS2, DD2

 

[tiptoen]

Some people choose to use cable ties to secure their bags instead of locks. If the screeners at the airport want to check the contense of your bag they will cut the lock off. Also some think it would be easier for a baggage handler to pick the locks than to carry cutters of some sort to cut the cable ties. I myself just leave the bags unlocked.

 

[jrabbit]

With the new requirements of the airlines (starting Jan 1, 2003) that they scan/inspect each and every checked bag for bombs, etc. they recommend that you do not lock your checked luggage anymore. If the machine cannot determine what is in your bag, they are requred to open it up. If you have a lock on the bag, they will break it and manually search it. So the advantage of the cable ties is that they will just cut them off (like you will at the other end) and they will not have to destroy your suitcase lock to take a look inside.

Also, with the new scanning equipment - DO NOT place undeveloped film in your suitcase - it will be ruined - even if it is in one of those lead lined film pouches.

A secondary benefit is that you will know that your baggage has been gone through, and you can check if you still have all of your stuff (they will not replace your cable tie with a new one). The third benefit is that if you know that your bag has been gone through, you can try to find out why, and then not bring whatever caused the problem in the first place so that on future trips you won't bring the problem item.

We had a couple of rolls of quarters in our carry on bag and they caused problems, so now we don't do that any more.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Even if you don't put cable ties on your zippers, the TSA might do so. That happened to me on two recent flights out of Chicago O'Hare Airport.

In both cases, I was glad I had nail clippers handy -- once in my carry on bag, and once in an outside pocket of my checked bag. (I'm glad the TSA didn't put a cable tie on the zipper of that outside pocket!)

 

[EMT-319]

...from another "cable tie post" that I responded to:

Yes, the TSA will resecure your baggage with cable ties if you include some extras. see below....

We flew out of Atlantic City International for our recent 4-night Wonder cruise.

At ACY, since they don't have the new x-ray machines, all "checked" luggage is hand inspected (they do it right in front of you).

I packed everything that I could in those new 2-gallon clear zip-loc bags. The inspector said that that was a great idea. It made the inspection much easier.

What they actually do is "wipe" everything in your suitcase with a special piece of chemically treated paper that (I think) detects explosives.

Inside of my suitcase I included a few extra cable ties (in a different color) attached to a large note that said: "if this luggage is opened for inspection - please re-secure with these cable ties"

...Which to my surprise, They did !

If I saw the red ties (I used green originally) I immediately knew that someone had opened my luggage and that there should be a note from a TSA inside stating that it was opened for an inspection.

I use the cable ties, not to keep out the TSAs, but to keep every one else out of my luggage (airport employees, porters, taxi and bus drivers and your fellow vacationers).

My inlaws took a trip to China 10 years ago. In China, they have no locks on their "hotel" doors. The travel guide assured them that the locals were honest and would not steal, but that they should worry about their fellow passengers stealing stuff !

 

[Big Daddy 13]

Can Pick Them Up At Any Home Depot Or If You Know Someone
Who Is A Electrian They Will Have Them.To Answer Your Question,
They Are Plastic Ties That They Use To Tie Bundles Of Wires Together.But Once Used,They Must Be Cut Off.

 

[disneyfanzz]

Ok, now I know what you are talking about. That sounds perfect. I have always used locks in the past but haven't flown since May 2000. Thanks for your answers.

Kerianne

 

[inkkognito]

For more than you ever wanted to know about cable ties in your life:
http://www.panduiteeg.com/training/manage/cableties/course.htm

Developing stuff like that is part of how we pay for all our cruises!
And since I work for a company that makes 'em (and that has two annual giveaway days), my closets are stuffed with more cable ties than you can imagine. They are handy for everything, from household repairs to hanging holiday decorations.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mobetsy]

You can also find them at Radio Shack, in a variety of colors. They are really a handy little item to have at home or when travelling, once you begin to think of ways to use them

 

[Bev J]

We have been using cable ties for our luggage for several years now, since we lost the keys for our luggage. We just put a pair of nail clippers, without a file, in a side pocket of our checked luggage to open the ties.
Using different colors is a great idea!
We also secure our luggage with luggage straps in bright neon colors they also help us find our luggage.