Locking luggage

[meloneyb21]

My luggage came with those little locks and the keys......can I use it or is it like against the law at the airport or something.......

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Some locks are "TSA approved" which means they can be opened with a master key. If your locks are not the TSA approved ones they will cut them off. We just leave our luggage unlocked or use disposable locks. Put all of your valuables in your carry on.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope, can't lock your bags with anything that they can't open. So, that lets out your locks with the little keys. You can get some TSA approved lock thingies...they can just cut them off it they need to search the bag.
I never put anything of any value in my checked luggage. Who wants my socks, shorts or 'unmentionables'?? Well, there was the time a baggage handler at Logan took a 'gold' necklace of mine back in '90. I can only imagine his/her surprise when they found it to be just pretty decent costume jewelry!!! Only worth about $18!!!!

 

[jaysmom4285]

I believe that there is no prohibition on locking your luggage with the small keyed padlocks, but if something in the x-ray process triggers the need for a search of your bags, the lock will just be cut off, and your bags will go the rest of the way unlocked. If your bag doen't need to be searched, the lock will remain intact. The TSA locks supposedly allow the TSA to unlock your bags, search them, and then lock them up again. In my case, the TSA lock disappeared, so I wasn't much better off.

 

[tmt martins]

We use ZipTies TSA will replace after cutting off for a check At least we know someone was in our bags .

If they really want to get into your bags those little locks won't stop them either.

 

[safetymom]

Don't put anything in your luggage that you can't afford to lose. If you just want to keep the zipper pulls together use a twist tie or or one of the zip ties.

You don't want your luggage damaged because you locked your suitcase.

 

[sif]

Another vote here for zipties. Last time we used yellow zipties to connect the zipper tabs on our luggage. One or two bags came out with the zipties replaced by red twist-ties.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

At least we know someone was in our bags

When TSA searches your bag, they leave a card inside so you know it was searched.

 

[bicker]

You can lock your bags.

They can snip the locks off.

 

[tmt martins]

When TSA searches your bag, they leave a card inside so you know it was searched.

Yes they do but if someone else cuts the Zip I know this as well.

Baggage handlers all have the same TSA keys as TSA has .Don't kid youselves just as theives have masters to cars.

The chance of them having the same Zips as me are a different story .I carry no valuables or Meds in my checked stuff but do do some Souvies on the return trip.

 

[Corryn]

We used the locks and on our return trip home from MCO they checked my bag. I noticed when I went to unpack that my locks were gone and there was a Zip Tie and a little card inside saying that they checked my luggage. Thank God I did my laundry at the timeshare, because I wouldn't want no one checking through my dirty undies!

 

[snowbunny]

When TSA searches your bag, they leave a card inside so you know it was searched.

They're suppposed to but that isn't always the case. I had a lock cut off, no card, no nothing.

 

[CarolA]

You can lock your bags.

They can snip the locks off.

Yes and they can and have "snipped" off the whole zipper pull or just forced the zipper If you use an "illegal" lock then it's considered your fault and no one will pay to fix your luggage.

 

[disneynutt1225]

We've been using the TSA locks for years and have never had a problem. They've been searched (with cards inside) and probably searched without cards inside. My locks always come back intact with everything inside the luggage.

 

[DebbieB]

I've used TSA locks for about 3 months with no problems (I travel 2 or 3 weeks a month). I don't use them for security as much as making sure the zippers stay shut. I put my work files in a bag that has zippers on the top, it would be a huge problem if the zipper opened and they fell out.

 

[bicker]

Good point Carol. They actually can even snip off the TSA-approved locks, and again they're not responsible for any damage to your luggage (or the loss of your lock).