Lock suitcase?

[Hedy]

How do you lock your suitcases-key rings, zip ties or TSA locks?

 

[Tinkerbell58]

I use the TSA locks.

 

[discjoker]

I use the TSA locks as well. Been using them for years and have never had a problem.

 

[tjmw2727]

I just use the round key ring and don't pack any valuables inside. I use the key ring mostly to keep the suitcase closed. My sil used the TSA locks and they were apparently too lazy to use the key and cut it off anyway

TJ

 

[PEANUT1]

where do you get the tsa locks?

 

[mcsele]

We always use zip ties (nylon wire ties) and never had a problem. They are cheap and if they cut them off it is no big deal. We always pack a small pair of scissor in our carry on, to cut them off.

 

[aubriee]

We always use zip ties (nylon wire ties) and never had a problem. They are cheap and if they cut them off it is no big deal. We always pack a small pair of scissor in our carry on, to cut them off.

This is what we do too. We too have had the TSA locks cut off. They were clearly marked as TSA locks with the little red diamond thing on them, but like the previous poster said the TSA agents were apparently too lazy to use their key and just cut them off. I don't know what they were looking for as nothing was in the suitcases but clothes. Nothing should have shown up on their scanner thingy. Now we just use the zip ties and keep a few extra in the side pocket of the luggage in case they get cut off.

 

[discjoker]

where do you get the tsa locks?

I got mine at Brookstone. I have seen tham elsewhere though...I know Walmart has them.

 

[SueM in MN]

We always use zip ties (nylon wire ties) and never had a problem. They are cheap and if they cut them off it is no big deal. We always pack a small pair of scissor in our carry on, to cut them off.

We've used zip ties for years, even before the current security guidelines say you could not lock your luggage.
One thing to keep in mind is that the lock doesn't really keep anything safe - it just keeps the suitcase zipper shut. There are lots of keys out there so anyone who really wants to unlock it, can and you would never know. At least with the zip ties, there are many different colors/styles, so if someone cuts and replaces it, we would know.

I would also not be so quick to say that all missing locks are due to TSA cutting them off because of laziness.
I traveled with a friend who used the TSA approved locks and she wanted to make sure she was there if they checked her bag. As her bag came out of the little conveyor belt for the xray machine, it hit just right and the lock popped right off. She thought the TSA person had just not relocked it, but he showed her it was popped open and broken. He said that happened quite often - if the bag happens to hit where most weight hits on the lock, it will pop. There were a bunch of broken locks on the floor just where we saw her lock fall, so there was quite a bit of evidence of it happening. He put a zip tie on for her to hold the zipper shut. He said if the suitcase was locked and the lock breaks, they are supposed to replace it with zip ties, but most of the time they don't notice which locks came off during the xray.

And, if the locks get hit in that same way anywhere along the process of baggage handling, the same thing can happen.

 

[Kies99]

We've used TSA locks many times and never had an issue.

 

[suzimar57]

we use the cable/zip ties

 

[LGH1946]

Do you lock your suitcases just so they won't come open by accident? I have never locked mine, I guess they are going to open any one they want to, huh?

 

[Evi]

I buy really birght colored cable/zip ties. TSA only uses white zipties. I also color coordinate them so there all the same color. When tsa opens your luggage they just replace it with a white zip tie so now I know when they go in my luggage.

It may sound paranoid but I have firs thand experience with tsa stealing from my luggage stateside. I had an ipod/noise canceling headphones and a wrapped gift taken from my luggage ans tsa wouldn't do anything about it they even insisted that they hadnt been in my luggage when I showed them the zip tie they said well maybe something fell out while being inspected but they were not responsable. Honestly I now try to carry on everything so that im there if and when my luggage is inspected. I know its harder on long trips but also dont take stuff with tags on it those items tend to walk too.

 

[waltsgirl]

TSA locks never had any issues.

 

[KimAshton]

TSA locks and never had a problem.

 

[whgrn]

TSA locks. Never a problem and I've flown all over the world!

 

[disneybelle]

I don't lock my luggage, but use a paperclip on the zippers to keep the bags from unzipping. For some reason, TSA inspects me every time, but fortunately no theft.

 

[tekoa]

I use the zip ties. They work out really well. I buy the bright neon ones at Wal-Mart. I think I saw them at Home Depot as well. I put a small pair of scissors in the outside pocket of the luggage to cut them off.

 

[kimberh]

We have had TSA locks off twice, but our last trip it was on 3 pieces. That is frustrating when they cost so much.