Do you lock your luggage....

[mrsschlep]

or is it safe to leave it just zipped up with no lock?

 

[PCFriar80]

No lock, and nothing too valuable packed. BTW if it is locked and someone really wants to get in, they will. Also, it causes a minor disruption with TSA.

 

[DebbieB]

I use twist ties just to make sure the zippers do not open. TSA rules say no locks. If you do lock it, they have the right to break the lock to get in.

 

[mbkteach]

There are locks that are approved by the TSA. AAA, Samsonite outlets, Brookstone, Travelsmith and other places carry them. They cost about $10.00 each. I used them several times in the past year...had no problem. They are combination locks and the TSA agents have keys to unlock them if they feel that that they need to for any reason.

 

[DVC-Don]

I use electric cable ties.

 

[Shelby5514]

I use electric cable ties.

We've also used these "zip ties". One of our suitcases was searched on our last trip and all they had to do was snip it open. They then zip tied it shut when they were done. We didn't even know it was searched until we opened the suitcase at WDW and found a note from TSA.

 

[dudspizza]

There are locks that are approved by the TSA. AAA, Samsonite outlets, Brookstone, Travelsmith and other places carry them. They cost about $10.00 each. I used them several times in the past year...had no problem. They are combination locks and the TSA agents have keys to unlock them if they feel that that they need to for any reason.

Yep, I have the same locks. They have a symbol on them showing the TSA that they are the new style locks that they can unlock with their keys. I paid only $5 each at the Samsonite outlet store.

Duds

 

[aubriee]

We just returned from WDW last Saturday (01/15/05) and when I was unpacking Saturday I found the TSA note that my bag had been searched. I was surprised as I know there was nothing in it to set the scanners off. Imagine my surprise when I opened my second bag and found the same note. They had also placed a small sticker on the DFW tag that the MCO airport put on the suitcase handles. The bags thankfully had not been locked and everything was there. I called my son and asked if his or my GD's bags had the tags in them saying they had been opened and he said no, that neither of them had apparently been searched. I am curious as to why both of my bags were picked to be searched. There was nothing in them but clothes, a few souveniers, and a few snacks. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[antmaril]

I have never locked my bags -- EVER. Never had any kind of problem. Obviously, you don't put anything of value in a checked bag.

 

[cbrfan]

The last time we flew they cut the lock off our suitcase and the hook to hang our garment bag was missing out of it. I was unaware there were special locks available. I'll have to get some of those!!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

When we left from the United terminal at Chicago-O'Hare last month, TSA people were using bolt cutters to cut the locks off any luggage with locks -- right in plain sight of the check-in area, as if to prove a point.

 

[gw_lit]

I am curious as to why both of my bags were picked to be searched. There was nothing in them but clothes, a few souveniers, and a few snacks. Anyone have any ideas?

Some bags are searched because of something that can't be identified by the scan, others are searched randomly, and I think some are searched when the TSA agents are bored and don't have much to do.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i did not use any, anything of value i carried in my carry on, i had nothing of interest in my regular suitcase

 

[beccasmom]

Since the changes after 9/11, we have not locked our bags. However, we plan to purchase the special TSA locks. We never pack anything of value in our bags, but I've always felt kind of creepy leaving them unlocked.

 

[dawnsb]

Even though I don't pack anything of value in my suitcases, I still use the zip tie method as well. This summer on the flight back from our trip to Utah one of our suitcases was opened, but TSA put another zip tie on it and a note inside. The only reason I can guess it was opened was because it was September 11, and the suitcase was filled with shoes/hiking boots, umbrellas and some other random stuff - it probably looked really weird in the xray machine!

Dawn

 

[dudspizza]

Question for those who use Zip Ties. How do you open the bag when you get to WDW? YOu can't take scissors in your carry on. Do you put a small scissors in an outside pocket of one of the checked bags?

Thanks.

Duds

 

[Shelby5514]

Question for those who use Zip Ties. How do you open the bag when you get to WDW? YOu can't take scissors in your carry on. Do you put a small scissors in an outside pocket of one of the checked bags?

Thanks.

Duds

I usually put a small pair of fingernail clippers in the outside pocket of the bag...that way they are they there if the bag is searched. In fact I have even purchased them at a MCO gift shop when I realized I had forgotten them. The trick is not to tighten the zip ties all the way so you have some room to get the clippers under them. Works everytime!

 

[Debby7]

We also use the cable ties. I am more concerned that without some method of securing the zippers , my bags could come unzippped and dump on the tarmac or in the plane cargo area. We all have seen how those bags get handled by the airlines!

 

[Del]

I don't lock anymore. I've got nothing valuable packed and nothing to hide. Once on the way back from Disney, it was packed with all dirty clothes. I laughed and said if they open this one---what a smell they'll get.

Del

 

[luvtinkerbell]

Hi i would say always lock up you cant be too careful at least if you lockup its peace of mind as well