Luggage lock question

[noahynav]

I read in a previous post that you are not supposed to lock your luggage when flying. However a few years back I saw a special on Oprah about airline theft and how prevelant it is and how airline employees that load bags are often the ones stealing out of suitcases. They unzip, feel around for valuables, zip back up and move on. I don't now how accurate it is in all airports, but Oprah did have undercover cameras and taped footage of it going on.

My question is (I am a first time flyer) Can I lock my luggage? Should I? Will they cut the locks if I do? What if something is stolen?? Anyone ever have this happen? TIA!!!

 

[Dis31]

I think they make TSA approved locks now, I wouldn’t know though I was the one wondering where the heck I put the keys to our suitcase locks until I saw them on the conveyor belt, key still in the lock lol.

 

[Tara]

Unless you use TSA-approved lock, any lock you use to close your checked baggage will be cut off. TSA locks are available in keyed or combination varieties, however.

 

[DebbieB]

I have TSA locks. Not so much for theft, I'm just afraid the zippers will open and I stuff will fall out. Mine are combination, so you don't have to worry about keys. One of mine is missing, it was gone when I picked up one of my pieces of luggage, so it certainly does not make it theft proof. There was not a note, so I assume TSA did not cut it off.

 

[mar915]

You can get TSA locks at Walmart.

 

[tmt martins]

We use small zipties just to keep your zips closed and the roaming hand out.TSA will replace if they cut off and leave you a note in your bag.

The handlers I use to know would go after the locked bags as they were the ones thought to be carring the goods.
They use an icepick to open the zipper at anypoint then they just take the locked zipper part and force it to rezip it.

If they want in you really can't stop them but at least you will know

 

[salmoneous]

As others have said, you can only use TSA locks, but they probably have very little ability to stop crooks, and may call attention to your bag.

You best bet is to simply have no valuables in your checked bag.

 

[bavaria]

There ARE TSA locks, but as others have said they won't do much as a true deterrent.

I use twist ties from bread packages on my trips every other week and in hundreds of trips no issues.

 

[goofy4tink]

WHile I'm not a big flier, I do fly about 3-4 times a year. I never put locks on my bags. I have had them checked by TSA on one or two occasions and got the little note in the bag telling me about the search. If I'm traveling with something I don't want to lose, it goes in my carryon. I don't think I'll ever forget flying into SanFransisco, unpacking..only to find my favorite necklace was gone! It looked expensive but cost only about $12!!! I'll bet there was an unhappy camper someplace that night!
I've even heard about people packing their underwear (none that they were going to use) on the top of the packed stuff, in hopes that the handlers wouldn't want to paw through someone's dirty underwear!

 

[bicker]

Note that TSA doesn't always leave a note when the search your bags. Note also that even with TSA locks, that doesn't mean TSA won't cut your locks off. It's just that with TSA locks, they're more likely to key their way in rather than using the cutters.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Unless you use TSA-approved lock, any lock you use to close your checked baggage will be cut off.

This isn't true at all. You may use non-TSA locks, it's just that if your bags are chosen for inspection, they will be cut off.

 

[CarolA]

Those locks are USELESS for protecting your stuff.

I fly a lot and have NEVER had anything taken. I think the best secert is don't pack jewerly, electronics, cash etc. in your checked luggage. Those thieves aren't trying to hock your Disney T-shirts.....

 

[pppiglet]

We have been using the zip ties also. No problems. If they need to cut them off to check the luggage then it doesn't cost me anything to replace them. I have hundreds of them and it's better than not locking at all so it keeps the thieves out! I really don't pack anything that's worth much anyways.

 

[cccm]

Fly about 20+ times a year on average. I always use my TSA locks. If they want to search, they can unlock the bag. I don't pack anything valuable, just clothes and books in my checked bags. It is more so I don't have my undies floating around on the baggage claim because my suitcase either accidently opened or the zipper broke (happened to a coworker I was traveling with).

 

[kathi29]

Another vote for the zip ties. We use them all the time and just clip them off with nail clippers when we get to the hotel. Much easier than messing with locks.

 

[WillCAD]

I got a TSA approved lock from WalMart and use that now.

Sure, yeah, locking your suitcase doesn't stop theft... locking your car doesn't stop theft... locking your house doesn't stop theft... using the Club doesn't stop theft... using car or house alarms doesn't stop theft...

All of that stuff can be circumvented by those who know how - but that doesn't mean it's useless. I lock my suitcase to keep the zippers shut and to discourage theivery, but I also don't pack anything valuable in my suitcase in case some enterprising theif does get into it.

Use the locks. They're only a few dollars at WalMart and will give you a tiny bit of additional protection.

 

[CarolA]

My theory is that if the TSA agents can open that lock so can the baggage guys. And I think Locks show the baggage guys where to start. (As in... "Look" they have something they want to protect, let's take it)

(And I am NOT 100% sure that ALL of the TSA guys are "honest" Considering the way some of them treat the passengers, why would I expect them to treat my belongings any better? Travel today, I don't feel any safer, but I KNOW I am more harrassed!)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

And I am NOT 100% sure that ALL of the TSA guys are "honest"

Of course they are not. Protect yourself by never putting anything valuable in your checked baggage (jewelry, electronics, medications, etc.).

 

[debknight]

Where do you find the "zipties"?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

They sell them at places such as Home Depot and office supply stores.