Do you lock suitcases?

[rapunzal]

New suitcase I got today has a ata approved lock...do you lock your suitcases? I usually put those clip off strips on for my piece of mind.

 

[xnascar2x]

I always lock my suitcases using TSA approved locks.

 

[dudspizza]

Yes, I always lock my suitcase. I use the TSA apporved locks, both for a little security and to keep the zipper from coming open.

Duds

 

[safetymom]

I never lock my suitcase. I don't carry anything of value in my suitcase. I do put the zippers a certain way so I can tell if someone has been in the suitcase.

 

[Uncleromulus]

No.
I can imagine TSA ripping them apart if I did---.

 

[Ishy]

and then we were told to remove them.
It was a pain at the airport - I was very much under the impression at that point that locks of any kind are frowned upon.

 

[maiyasgram]

I never lock ours. If we are carrying anything of value it's in the carry-on.

 

[Kies99]

We use TSA approved locks.

 

[angwill]

I use TSA approved locks and have never had a problem. This is my reasoning; I don't know how many different people handle the luggage or how honest they are. To me my clothes are valuable.

 

[salmoneous]

I don't see the point of TSA locks, other than to call attention to the fact that there might be something of value in the bag. If worried about the zippers opening, I'll use plastic ties.

 

[keishashadow]

depends, usually - since we tend to resort hop; haven't had a problem

always - when we cruise

at the very least i'd use the plastic tie-offs

does seem the only time our luggage gets the "inspection card" when we fly is if it doesn't have a lock or tie.

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

I have'nt locked our cases in years but I probably should. My MIL had all her jewelery stolen from her suitcase years ago and her husband on their last trip here packed all his much needed meds in his suitcase, we told him he should put them in his carry on to avoid them getting lost or stolen. I hate to admit this but my BIL used to work for the airlines years ago and would steal things from bags at times cameras, food the was'nt opened, and who knows what else (He's now in jail on another matter, his lifestyle caught up with him.) Do the TSA approved locks say so on the locks itself or just the packaging them came in? The more I think about this I want to lock our cases.

 

[Lewisc]

People like your BIL have no problem opening locks. I still think a locked suitcase indicates the suitcase might have items worth stealing. The best solution is to avoid putting valuables, including jewelry and cameras, in a suitcase (locked or otherwise)

I hate to admit this but my BIL used to work for the airlines years ago and would steal things from bags at times cameras, food the was'nt opened, and who knows what else (He's now in jail on another matter, his lifestyle caught up with him.) Do the TSA approved locks say so on the locks itself or just the packaging them came in? The more I think about this I want to lock our cases.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Do the TSA approved locks say so on the locks itself or just the packaging them came in? The more I think about this I want to lock our cases.

The TSA-approved locks I use have a logo/symbol on them that indicates they are the special TSA locks.

I always lock mine even though I don't put anything valuable in my checked luggage. I know - if someone wants to get into my bag, they will whether it's locked or not. But it may be enough of a deterent to keep someone from poking through my stuff, just like that little Brinks or ADT sticker in the window of a house is often enough to keep someone from breaking in. Without a lock, I don't know if someone was poking through my suitcase or not. If I locked it and the lock is missing when I retrieve my bag, I'll pretty much know right away something's wrong. Peace of mind, real or imagined.

And just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me!

 

[jenelope]

I use TSA approved locks for two reasons: 1) I had unexpected overnight guests when a friend I picked up from the airport put his keys in an outside pocket of a checked bag- pocket opened, keys fell out; 2) rather than settling into my room on a WDW trip, I was in the gift shop, desperately looking for something other than $12 scrapbooking scissors, so I could cut the plastic zipties off my suitcase. Zipties are cheaper and seem easier, however, TSA locks are reusable and don't need to be cut or replaced.

 

[grimley1968]

I don't bother locking my suitcases. We carry anything of value on our persons while flying. I can imagine the TSA would dislike any locks on suitcases, whether they are TSA-approved or not. Any lock would slow down any kind of manual bag searches. I am all for making those searches as quick as possible.

Actually, I almost never carry enough luggage to require even checking my bags. I usually try to carry them on.

 

[pednurse]

I always use TSA-approved locks. I never put any "valuables" (although to me my clothes are valuable because I don't want to have to go shopping for new clothes just because I went on a trip!) in my suitcases, but it does help with preventing the suitcases from coming unzipped. Also, it just gives me extra peace of mind that no one can just quickly unzip and search through my stuff on a whim. The TSA agents are very quick with their key that's made to unlock ALL TSA-approved locks so it doesn't really slow them down when they do searches.

 

[bearzabout]

We use twist ties to secure the zippers so the bags will not open by accident. I would guess that one of my bags gets inspected on one out of every 4 flights. They always replace the twist tie after inspecting the inside.

I am more concerned about the zippers opening than a theft. If I had the locks, I would still bring twist ties just in case someone says I need to remove them.

 

[corndog]

We just got new luggage and tsa locks last year. When we picked up the luggage after returning home we found the zipper pulls ripped off with the lock still attached in the front pocket of the suitcase.

 

[MomtoMMKO]

I just bought the TSA approved locks yesterday for our trip next week. We like to lock our luggage at the hotel too when we leave to go to the parks.