Lock your luggage?

[psimon]

When you fly, do you lock your luggage? Do you use travel locks? Tie-wraps? Nothing?

Thanks...

-Paul in Southern NJ

 

[TinkTink78]

I use little zip ties

 

[amie416]

I don't bother. The TSA opens up my luggage 4 times out of 5, so most trips it would only be secured from the scale to the security checkpoint anyway. I take all my valuables (camera, laptop, etc.) carry-on.

 

[psimon]

I don't bother. The TSA opens up my luggage 4 times out of 5, so most trips it would only be secured from the scale to the security checkpoint anyway. I take all my valuables (camera, laptop, etc.) carry-on.

Don't you worry that the zippers might get caught on something and end up open?

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[jdb in AZ]

Zip ties or locks could get caught easier than zipper pulls.

As above, anything valuable goes in the carry-on.

 

[psimon]

Zip ties or locks could get caught easier than zipper pulls.

As above, anything valuable goes in the carry-on.

No question about valuables.... a no brainer!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[amie416]

Don't you worry that the zippers might get caught on something and end up open?

---Paul in Southern NJ

Not at all. The zipper pulls are to small and smooth to get caught on anything. If anything were to get caught, I'd say the wheels or retractable handle mechanism would be more likely. I fly quite often and have never had a problem, but I do usually get notices that my bag has been inspected.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We use the TSA locks and we carry our valuables in our carry on.

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

 

[Jillpie]

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?

 

[sam_gordon]

I've thought about locking luggage, but never have. If I did, I'd probably use small zip ties, then put a pair of cutters in one of outside pockets of the suitcase.

 

[Alesia]

I use twist ties.

 

[dawnhaze]

I use a set of TSA-approved travel locks that I bought at Target. Supposedly they can unlock and relock them.

 

[katallo]

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?

When we are leaving the baggage claim area we go to the airlines customer service office in baggage claim and ask for scissors. Cut them before we leave the airport. The hotel front desks are also good about cutting them. We have never had a problem.

 

[Lewisc]

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?

Some people put scissors or a knife in an outside pocket in one of their suitcases.

 

[njmom47]

When we traveled with sports equipment, we did use TSA-approved locks. I'm not really sure what purpose the locks served though as obviously it was sports equipment and if a TSA agent was going to steal something it would not have been that difficult, although a baseball bat might be a little conspicuous!
I suppose it would help keep the suitcase or bag secure though.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I use a set of TSA-approved travel locks that I bought at Target. Supposedly they can unlock and relock them.

As can anyone else who wants in your luggage. (How to videos all over YouTube )

 

[TinkTink78]

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?

Funny u should ask as I get frustrated everyone I forget to pack little scissors in the front pocket. I usually use a key.

 

[BeerMe]

Nothing.

 

[ready123go]

We use the TSA locks and we carry our valuables in our carry on.

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

We have seen this. It is definitely something to be moderately concerned about.

We almost always have our cases opened when returning from a tourist destination (never going, just returning). Only about 30-50% of the time is there a note left. As a result, I try to hide anything we might bring home. Souvenir clothing on the bottom. Alcohol well wrapped and concealed (I mean, strategically padded ) in the middle, dirty underwear on top!

 

[dawnhaze]

As can anyone else who wants in your luggage. (How to videos all over YouTube )

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