Locking luggage when flying ?

[papopup]

We have not flown since 2000 and I know after 911 things have really changed. We always locked our luggage before but I understand you can no longer do this, so what does everybody do to keep your luggage secure ? Thank you for any ideas.

 

[CarolA]

Let's get past your first concern. ... There is NO WAY to secure you luggage. So the thing to do is to not check anything valuable. All those locks do is give you a "false sense" of security... A determined thief is by them in seconds.

If you still want to lock, buy the new TSA approved locks. The TSA can open them if needed. (Of course I will lay money that so can baggage handlers!)

 

[safetymom]

I agree with Carol but I personally wouldn't bother with the TSA locks. Anyone that thinks you have something valuable will find a way to get it quickly.

 

[TigerLilyBlossom]

I agree with Carol but I personally wouldn't bother with the TSA locks. Anyone that thinks you have something valuable will find a way to get it quickly.

I saw a report on TV (a 60 Minutes type show--an undercover investigation sort of segment) awhile back that showed some employees with a bunch of keys to fit an array of locks.

When we used that terrific option at the resort (we were at POR) to check our luggage and get our boarding passes in the resort lobby as opposed to the airport (saved a ton of time and hassle) the Cm there smiled nicely and urged us to unlock the bags(even after seeing the aforementioned program, I was still determined to protect my undies I suppose, lol) -- he told us that if TSA wanted to see what was in the bag and they weren't TSA locks, they would cut them off so we might be best off not locking them anyway (and added that someone shady would have a key to fit anyway, even the TSA locks).

We carry the valuable stuff (like the camera, paperwork, etc. and a change of clothes) in the carry-on, so there's no worry of them being lost if the luggage heads in a different direction than we do, or if someone goes rummaging through the checked luggage.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Even when locks were allowed, before the era of TSA luggage inspections, the main value of locks was to prevent zippers and spring-loaded laches from opening and spilling a bag's contents. They didn't prevent theft of contents.

If you have a bag that could pop open, such as an old hard-sided Samsonite suitcase with spring-loaded laches, put a luggage strap around the bag. If you're concerned about zippers opening, use small cable straps. The TSA can then open your bags for inspection if necessary.

The only way to prevent the theft of valuable contents is not to put any valuable items into checked luggage.

 

[papopup]

I agree with you all, locks only keep honest people out. What I am more concerned with is my bags coming open and all of our clothes spilling out everywhere. At least if they are locked the bags can't unzip. I was just talking to a friend who travels a great deal for business and he told me about the TSA locks, I think thats what I am going with. Thanks

 

[ClanHarrison]

I've read on these boards that you can also use those plastic tie straps (the ones you see the police use as handcuffs). If security needs to get into your luggage, they can just cut those and replace them after they're done.

Of course it's not a "lock", but as you all say, if someone shady wants to get in, they'll get in no matter what.

I just thought they were a pretty good idea when I read about this. You can at least have a small amount of security knowing that your bags are somewhat secure instead of knowingly having them sitting open. I've put a bunch of them away for our trip. And if they've been cut, I'll know someone has been in my bag, instead of just leaving it open. Doesn't solve anything , I'll just know.

 

[mrscoobs]

Again, everyone has posted what those locks were actually for, and anything of value you may have should go with you on the plane. Also, it seems more and more that TSA will open and check your baggage and leave you a nice little sticker and postcard saying they did so on the inside. I never mind when they check when I am departing, but man do I feel sorry for them when my clothes are caked in mud coming back!

 

[CarolA]

I've read on these boards that you can also use those plastic tie straps (the ones you see the police use as handcuffs). If security needs to get into your luggage, they can just cut those and replace them after they're done.

Just be sure to put something to cut these things off with in an OUTSIDE pocket of your luggage. I have heard of folks packing the tool they plan to cut the little plastic thing off INSIDE the luggage!

 

[scouthawkk]

I've read on these boards that you can also use those plastic tie straps (the ones you see the police use as handcuffs). If security needs to get into your luggage, they can just cut those and replace them after they're done.

Of course it's not a "lock", but as you all say, if someone shady wants to get in, they'll get in no matter what.

I just thought they were a pretty good idea when I read about this. You can at least have a small amount of security knowing that your bags are somewhat secure instead of knowingly having them sitting open. I've put a bunch of them away for our trip. And if they've been cut, I'll know someone has been in my bag, instead of just leaving it open. Doesn't solve anything , I'll just know.

we found a tsa lock at a small luggage store that has a light signal on it to let you know if has been opened. when it is opened it changes from (i think) green to red (has been a while since i have looked at it, but i think those are the colors). gave one to my mil that travels a lot for business. she loves it. she always knows her bag was opened just by looking at the lock. doesn't even have to look for the paper saying it was searched. the bizzare part is that one time it indicated it was opened, and there was nothing noting that tsa had inspected the bag...but when she went to empty it, a brand new (unopened) package of underwear she had bought on sale on a particular trip was missing...of all the things to take

 

[safetymom]

I always put the zippers on my suitcase in a certain place. When the TSA open it they never put it back where I had it. Saves the price of a lock.

 

[blueberry22]

i always use the plastic things that slip in and pull tight. You can buy them in the hardware store very inexpensively- like 100 in a package. I am not worried about TSA they can cut them off anytime they feel the need. However I feel that locking the zipper offers some deterence to a casual theft. If someone really wants to get in they can, but it might slow down one of the baggage handlers- or persuade tham to move on to another easier bag to go through. Its kind of like the locks on my doors. A real Pro is going to get in but it just might prevent a more casual petty theft.
This is particularly true when I'm on cruises, or at Disney or any other time you turn your luggage over to someone else to transport. There are just too many different unknown people who have easy opportunity to go through my things.

I also pack extra pull ties in the pocket of my bags, along with several small collapsable sissors. I have had TSA actually put on a new tie after they searched (they leave a card)

I will agree however that nothing of any value should ever be in checked baggage.

 

[aubriee]

i always use the plastic things that slip in and pull tight. You can buy them in the hardware store very inexpensively- like 100 in a package. I am not worried about TSA they can cut them off anytime they feel the need. However I feel that locking the zipper offers some deterence to a casual theft. If someone really wants to get in they can, but it might slow down one of the baggage handlers- or persuade tham to move on to another easier bag to go through. This is particularly true at Disney or any other time you turn your luggage over to someone else to transport. There are just too many different unknown people who have easy opportunity to go through my things.
I also pack extra pull ties in the pocket of my bags, along with several small collapsable sissors. I have had TSA actually put on a new tie after they searched (they leave a card)
I will agree however that nothing of any value should ever be in checked baggage.

This is what we did when we went to WDW in January. I just slipped some blunt tipped kid's scissors in the side pocket so we could clip the tie when we got to our resort. You can buy 25 neon colored ones at any hardware store for less than $3.00. Going down there, apparently no one searched our bags as the ties were still on them. However coming back, both of my bags were searched and I knew it because they had a different color tie on their zippers. Sure enough when I opened them, I found the little TSA note saying they had been searched. Neither my son's nor my GD's were touched though.

With the new DME and more people handling my bag, I decided I would feel more secure using the TSA locks, so recently picked up a couple at Target for around seven bucks for my trip next week.

I also used those same multipurpose ties to slip through the key ring part of a caniber clip. then locked them around the neck of my Brita bottle and Pal Mickey to make holders for them that would easily clip on and off my backpack or fanny pack, depending on which I was carrying that day. Those zipping multipurpose ties really came in handy and were cheap to boot.

 

[hugsquared]

I also used those same multipurpose ties to slip through the key ring part of a caniber clip. then locked them around the neck of my Brita bottle and Pal Mickey to make holders for them that would easily clip on and off my backpack or fanny pack, depending on which I was carrying that day. Those zipping multipurpose ties really came in handy and were cheap to boot.

What a wonderful idea...I've been racking my brain to find an easy way for us to carry these britta bottles...thanks, thanks, thanks