Locking Suitcases . . .Are We or Aren't We?

[Wish Upon A Star]

Just wondering . . .

Last July I locked mine . . .no problems . . .

We are leaving in 3 days and I need to know if this is now a standard practice . . .I just don't want to pack anything that will be worth something to me if it is lost/stolen . . .

We are traveling out of Bradley International in Hartford, CT on Delta.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm pretty sure you may run the risk of them breaking the lock to search your bags. I'm surprised you didn't have a problem before...maybe it's random.

I'd definitely not lock my luggage on a foreign flight. I'll bet they're even more cautious.

 

[CarolA]

Suitcases should not be locked per the TSA. If they are and the TSA needs to open it, they will force the suitcase open and will not be responsible for any damage that may occur as a result.

You should never pack valuables that will upset you if they are lost. Those locks you use on suitcases are pretty useless for preventing thefts anyway.

 

[Auntie Bon]

Because the TSA requires all bags to be accessible we used cable ties and they worked even better than those flimsy locks. Just make sure to take either a fingernail clipper or blunt nose scissors in an outer pocket of checked luggage so you can get them opened upon arrival.

 

[peg2001]

You are no longer supposed to lock your suitcases. If they are soft sided with zippers, use a cable tie (zip tie) to ensure that it stays closed. If it is a hard-case, I recommend one of those straps that go around it to ensure that it does not accidently pop open.

Peggy

 

[Poorman]

They lost it on my last trip, the TSA agent didn't know how to put it back on, I asked her if she wanted me to do it she said NO, when I got to MCO it was missing,only $10.00 but now I have to find another before we go again.

 

[DisneyBoundGals]

Are the baggages not checked in front of you while you're checking in before you go through the security checkpoint? We're going to Disney in July and I would think that we could leave the locks off until we got to the airport, then we would put the locks on after they were searched. I guess it doesn't happen that way, huh?
Angi

 

[donmil723]

I almost bought a Mickey luggage strap last week but was afraid it might end up missing! I'm glad I didn't spend $12.

Donna

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by peg2001
You are no longer supposed to lock your suitcases. If they are soft sided with zippers, use a cable tie (zip tie) to ensure that it stays closed. If it is a hard-case, I recommend one of those straps that go around it to ensure that it does not accidently pop open.Peggy

Where can you get these cable ties/zip ties? Sounds like I need to get some! We have one hard case suitecase that locks with a combination. Maybe we won't take it, or we'll have to get one of those bungee cords too.

 

[CarolA]

For Delta last week, they took my luggage and then sent it thur the scanner. I did not see it again.

Actually it was my impression that you were not suppose to be allowed to touch your luggage after search to ensure you don't then put in something we don't want on board.

 

[buzzlady]

Originally posted by cindala
Where can you get these cable ties/zip ties? Sounds like I need to get some!

Home Depot or any hardware store. Probably Wal-mart too.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by CarolA
For Delta last week, they took my luggage and then sent it thur the scanner. I did not see it again.

Actually it was my impression that you were not suppose to be allowed to touch your luggage after search to ensure you don't then put in something we don't want on board.

It depends on the airport. At PIT, they do the scan right on the main floor near the ticket counters. You have to stand in line while they either scan or hand search it in your presence. You can ask to lock it after they are done (the TSA person holds it while you lock it to be sure nothing is slipped in). At MCO, they take it and do the scan behind the scenes, so you can't lock it when they are done. This is for USAirways.

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by cindala
Where can you get these cable ties/zip ties? Sounds like I need to get some! We have one hard case suitecase that locks with a combination. Maybe we won't take it, or we'll have to get one of those bungee cords too.

These are little plastic ties that have traditionally been used to bundle wires together. You thread one end through a hole in the other and tighten. Once it is on, you can only get it off by cutting it. They are very cheap and available almost anywhere, Walmart, K-mart, Home Depot, etc. Look in the electronics department.

Peggy

 

[JOC]

We flew to Ohio a couple of weeks ago (on Continental) and did not lock our suitcases because I didn't want them to cut the locks off. When we picked them up at our destination we noticed that they had "tie-wrap" locks on them and inside the suitcases were notices stating that they had been inspected by the TSA.

 

[skfulkers]

I have been using wire ties for about a year when I travel, and I've picked up the suitcases from baggage claim several times with the wire ties cut. There has occasionally been a note in the luggage stating that the bag was inspected by the TSA.
I don't carry anything suspicious in my luggage, so I would assume the TSA is just hand-screening more bags now than anytime before.
I would definitely not use a standard lock on your suitcases. There's a very good chance that the bags may be picked for screening and your locks will be cut.

 

[SueM in MN]

I just returned from a trip to San Antonio on 6/12. I used cable ties on my zippers and had no problem. We've been using them for about 2 years instead of locks because the locks are not secure anyway - anyone can get a key to fit them. We've had our bags inspected, but they replaced the ties. As of Jan 1, 2003, TSA ttok over and will put a note in the bags they checked. Before that, there was no consistency in whether you got a note.
At San Antonio last Thursday, the TSA people asked whether or not the luggage was locked before they it. Since mine wasn't, they thanked me for using cable ties and I was OK to go on my way. The person I was traveling with used regular locks. They required her to wait until her bags went thru the x-ray machine in case they needed to open it. One of her locks actually broke off in its trip thru the xray. The TSA person said that happens pretty frequently because the locks either get caught on the conveyor belt or get hit just right coming out of the machine and break right off.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Never have, never will. My motto: take it don't break it.

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by Poorman
They lost it on my last trip, the TSA agent didn't know how to put it back on, I asked her if she wanted me to do it she said NO, when I got to MCO it was missing,only $10.00 but now I have to find another before we go again.

When travelling with hard sided luggage (which I rarely do) because of the pop open danger. I use strapping tape as my "lock". It has little threads running through the tape and is very sturdy. I place it over the locking mechanism (don't use the combo or key for the case) and a piece on each side. This way I know if my luggage has been tampered with. Much cheaper than having a strap broken or lost. Also I throw the roll in the suitcase and the tape itself has come in handy on several occasions while on vacation.

 

[Feralpeg]

We flew out of Kansas City two weeks ago. We did not lock our luggage. In Kansas City, they took the bags. Any search was done out of our sight. When we got to Florida and opened one of our bags, we found a note saying that the bag had been searched. The note, which was a standard for everyone they searched, said that they were sorry if they had to break a lock. Everything was in the bag as I had packed it. I had packed everything (clothes, cosmetics, you name it) in zip lock bags. I felt much better about it. I think things are less likely to be lost that way.

On the return from Orlando, we flew SW. They took our bags to put through a scanner right there. Unfortunately, they were backed up, so we really didn't see them scan our bags. There was nothing in the bags when we got home to indicate that they had been opened. Everything was fine.

 

[Bildmouse]

I use key rings on my zippers to keep them closed. They are easy to get off and you don't have to worry about clippers or scissors to remove them. And they are reusable. You can pick them up in the craft department. I've also started putting everything into zip lock bags. It makes it easy for the inspectors to look through your bag and if for some reason your bag gets damaged all your undies won't be floating around on the carousel.