Lock your luggage?

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Which is why nothing more valuable than clothing and sneakers goes in my checked luggage. Isn't that just common sense...?

Apparently not. Just a few weeks ago on TripAdvisor there was a post from someone rather hysterical that their Ipad was "gone" from the checked luggage and the airline said "too bad for you" (The airlines specifically say they won't pay for "lost electronics')

 

[Lewisc]

Which is why nothing more valuable than clothing and sneakers goes in my checked luggage. Isn't that just common sense...?

Apparently not. Just a few weeks ago on TripAdvisor there was a post from someone rather hysterical that their Ipad was "gone" from the checked luggage and the airline said "too bad for you" (The airlines specifically say they won't pay for "lost electronics')

Sometimes the overhead bins fill up and later passengers have to gate check their roller bag. The GA (or FA) may be all but grabbing your bag and giving you a tag. You need to have your really valuable stuff in a bag small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, be ready to quickly transfer the valuable stuff to said bag or hope you can convince the FA to find room for your bag containing expensive camera equipment. Paying a fee for early boarding, if it's available from your airline, might make sense if you have a lot of valuable stuff in a roller bag.

I think a lock just lets people know your bag might have stuff worth stealing.

 

[msjprincess]

No, I don't use anything.

 

[mikehn]

We dont dont use any locks at all. There isnt anything in our checked luggage that anybody would want.

 

[psimon]

Like I suggested earlier, I wasn't thinking of locking it for security purposed, but more to ensure it doesn't get unzippped and stuff falls out.

The most expensive thing in my checked baggage that isn't clothing will be my $4 motorized razor!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[ready123go]

Like I suggested earlier, I wasn't thinking of locking it for security purposed, but more to ensure it doesn't get unzippped and stuff falls out.

The most expensive thing in my checked baggage that isn't clothing will be my $4 motorized razor!

---Paul in Southern NJ

We travel to Fla 2-5x's a year for the last 10ish years and have never had this happen. Any time our luggage is partially unzipped it is because of the aforementioned unauthorized individuals rifling through our stuff. The opening has never been large enough to let stuff drop out.

As far as locks go, I am more concerned that some overzealous TSA agent will decide they can't get our locks open and just slice the bag. I would rather chance losing some old clothing than chance having to buy new luggage.

Lost clothing you can (usually) claim with the airline. 'Improperly' locked luggage damage you cannot.

 

[ready123go]

For me it's about which derrière-pain I'm willing to endure.

 

[msjprincess]

Like I suggested earlier, I wasn't thinking of locking it for security purposed, but more to ensure it doesn't get unzippped and stuff falls out.

The most expensive thing in my checked baggage that isn't clothing will be my $4 motorized razor!

---Paul in Southern NJ

I have to say that in the 40 years I have been flying I have never had that happen and it never crossed my mind.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I lock my luggage. I have a package of the little TSA locks that I use.

And I toss a few extra into my suitcase after having TS cutoff the lock instead of using their key that is supposed to work on those TSA locks.

My valuables are in my backpack carryon. It feels heavy sometimes if I bring both cameras and my little laptop but it's so much safer.

 

[pooch]

that come in electronics boxes and the like. They are usually black and stronger than the bread bag kind. I use them to keep the zipper closed not to keep anybody out. Heck, they could just slash the bag open if they really wanted to!!!

 

[Greysword]

We use the small TSA accessible locks with one key for several. It isn't about keeping someone out that really wants in; rather, it keeps the honest people honest. Much like locking your car or house at night.

At least with a lock on it, someone is going to need to force entry, which puts the TSA and airline on the defensive.

To be honest, do what you feel is comfortable and secure.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I don't lock mine. In fact, it never even occurred to me to lock it.

If someone wants my dirty clothing and partially used toiletries, they can have at it.

 

[aubriee]

As far as locks go, I am more concerned that some overzealous TSA agent will decide they can't get our locks open and just slice the bag. I would rather chance losing some old clothing than chance having to buy new luggage.

After having not one, but two TSA locks cut off, I no longer even bother. Then I started to use the zip ties, because at least they would replace those. Even if a note was not left saying they had searched the bag, you could always tell they had been in it, because I would use one of the neon orange, pink or green zip ties, but when I got my bag back it would have a plain black zip tie on it. I guess they thought we wouldn't notice the difference. I once got my bag back with a bottle of wine, a large Vera Bradley toiletry organizer full of half used toiletries, and only one flip flop missing. Why they would want just one shoe who knows. Actually we figured the other shoe fell out, when they were rifling through the bag and took the wine and VB bag, since the flip flops were lying flat in the very bottom of the bag. With the Vera bag missing we figured it had to be a female TSA agent who wanted it. I don't even bother trying to secure our bags anymore.

 

[aubriee]

My Sister who uses no locks, just got back from a trip in Dallas. While there she bought 2 jars of salsa and tucked them securely in her luggage. When she got home the 2 salsa's were missing and there was not a note left saying TSA had gone though her luggage. She was fly from Dallas to Cleveland so it was not a customs issue. GRRR

Yeah, I fly out of DFW too. Things are bad about disappearing out of luggage here. As I said in my previous post, I don't even bother with the TSA locks or even the zip ties anymore. I'd rather they take what they want out of my bag and not destroy the bag. Anything valuable just goes in the cabin with me. As much as possible I try to do carry on only.

 

[lylone]

If using zip ties, how do you break them at your destination without scissors, assuming those and pocketknives (which include scissors) are inside your luggage?

scissors with blades that are 4 inches or smaller are allowed in a carryon. We always travel with the folding ones.

We also have TSA approved locks and lock them when we check luggage or give them for storage before our room is ready. We also use them to lock up valuables when not in our room. The safes at Disney all have keys, but other places they use a swiped card. The swiped card ones are known for being opened by hotel mgmt. So, all valuables get locked when we are not around.

 

[psimon]

Yeah, I fly out of DFW too. Things are bad about disappearing out of luggage here. As I said in my previous post, I don't even bother with the TSA locks or even the zip ties anymore. I'd rather they take what they want out of my bag and not destroy the bag. Anything valuable just goes in the cabin with me. As much as possible I try to do carry on only.

I would love to do carry-on only but it's tough for a 2 week trip!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[ready123go]

Paul - I think you'll be fine without, but in the end it's what makes you feel better.

I don't use locks for two reasons - #1) TSA agents are not known for using good sense and reasonable judgment - I am concerned with the destroyed suitcase scenario (I've seen it happen to others) #2) I'm in the "If it's locked there must be something valuable in it" camp. Our old luggage is orange. It stands out and is constantly being rifled through (phasing these pieces out). Whereas our new luggage is black and doesn't get noticed as readily.

From the posts, I'd say many people use locks or zip/twist ties. If that makes you feel better, do it! Best of luck!

 

[lilkimmyk]

I use a TSA approved combination lock that looks like a seatbelt around my suitcase. TSA has a key for it if they want to look inside.

On one trip my suitcase came out half opened with shirts hanging out. I didn't have anything valuable in it, however my $10 curling iron and $4 brush were missing. I guess someone was having a bad hair day that day!

The second time, upon our arrival home from WDW our luggage was lost and delivered 2days later to our home, but it was quite obvious to me it had definitely been rifled through even though I had a TSA lock on it (I strategically pack, i.e. roll things in clothing etc.) Nothing missing this time though. I assumed TSA looked in the bag but I never received a note. In fact, it wasn't until I just read through this thread did I see that TSA leaves a note.

I will continue to use my lock, it gives me piece of mind. But if someone wants to get in there they will find a way not matter if you have a padlock and chain across it.

Good luck whatever you may decide to do!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My Sister who uses no locks, just got back from a trip in Dallas. While there she bought 2 jars of salsa and tucked them securely in her luggage. When she got home the 2 salsa's were missing and there was not a note left saying TSA had gone though her luggage. She was fly from Dallas to Cleveland so it was not a customs issue. GRRR

I have a hard time believing a TSA employee would steal salsa

You can carry a pair of scissors in your carry-on, blunt tips or pointed tips less than 4 inches long.

I very rarely check bags, but don't bother locking mine when I do. It's very easy to break into a suitcase, lock or not.