Lock Luggage at Airline Checkin

[donnajz]

I'm embarrassed to ask this...but I can't remember from my last trip and I don't travel much. Should I lock my luggage before I check it in with the airline or does it need to remain unlocked?

 

[safetymom]

I would leave it unlocked.

 

[shoes99]

I'm embarrassed to ask this...but I can't remember from my last trip and I don't travel much. Should I lock my luggage before I check it in with the airline or does it need to remain unlocked?

We leave it unlocked, but put a cable tie thru the zippers so that they don't come undone during handling.

 

[DVC-Don]

I now use the TSA approved locks.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I also use the TSA approved locks. I ordered mine on the Internet, but just saw them last week at Sears Hardware (for less than what I paid).

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Zip ties for us as well. They will replace them most of the time if they cut them off. Just remember to put a cheap set of nail clippers in a unZiptied pocket so you can cut the others off. And remember to bring some for the trip home.

 

[KimAshton]

Make sure you use TSA approved locks or they will break the locks and not replace them. I just usually leave them unlocked.

 

[Debby7]

WE also use TSA locks. I have horrible visions of my luggage being unlocked, being tossed by the handlers , the zippers breaking and my clothes all over the tarmac !

 

[Delaware Mike]

TSA-approved locks are the way to go.

I too have visions of clothing all over the tarmac, or the baggage belts.

Worse yet, I don't trust airline baggage handlers.

 

[suzimar57]

that's what we do - unlocked, but put a cable tiewrap thru (which can be easily cut with a nail clipper)

 

[xnascar2x]

I plan on purchasing TSA approved locks for our trip in Aug.

 

[donnajz]

what's a cable tie wrap???
where do you get one???

 

[Mousema]

Cable tie locks. Got a package of 100 at Wal-Mart.

 

[pkgman]

I now use the TSA approved locks.

I have used TSA approved locks but mine were cut off anyway. They still reserve the right to cut locks off

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I had heard the TSA sometimes cuts off the approved locks. We just wanted to make sure the zippers don't open, so we use the zip strips too.

They are also handy for the cruise to zip strip when you leave your luggage out in the hall at night.

We just get the little thin ones.

 

[WillCAD]

Somebody apparently cuts off locks, because my TSA-approved lock (which had made 3 previous trips to WDW and back with no difficulty) was gone from my suitcase when it arrived at MCO last December.

Strangely, however, there was no flyer inside the suitcase from the TSA stating that my suitcase had been inspected; so as far as I know, it could have been anybody who cut off my lock and opened my suitcase.

Which is why I do not pack anything valuable in my checked bags.

Sometime before my next trip I will pick up a new TSA-approved lock from WalMart. I figure that if the durn things might still be cut off even if they are TSA approved, I might as well get cheap ones.

 

[bearzabout]

I use twist ties from plastic bags. The wire is strong enough to keep my bags from opening. The TSA always has always put the twist tie back on after they inspect the inside of my bag. I think they work better than something they would have to cut off, like a cable tie or lock. I fly a lot (30+ flights per year), and the twist ties have never been removed from my bags. I'm sure no one would think I have valuables in them either since the bags are not locked. I've never had anything taken out of my bags.

 

[bavaria]

I prefer twist ties because I can't remove cable ties (I know that others say insert a pen and twist, but I can't always do that and was once stuck in my room at 2am unable to unlock my suitcase)

I only recently started to use TSA approved locks over the bread bag twist ties. I rarely use the locks, though - they are usually just hanging on the outside of my suitcase.