Luggage locks/ties?

[WillCAD]

if they do this they are supposed to leave the cut lock in your bag. If you use a Brookstone lock you will have it replaced for free and a report filed with TSA.

We use these as it also helps identify our black luggage in the sea of black luggage.

http://www.brookstone.com/store/product.asp?pid=534925&wid=4&cid=38&sid=496&search_type=subcategory&prodtemp=t1

EasyCheck® Indicator Locks


Our EasyCheck® indicator locks alert you to opened luggage. A unique red pop-up indicator on the lock will let you know if your locks were opened by the TSA or tampered with. And with the Travel Sentry™ Certified system, airport security can inspect and re-lock your bags quickly and easily.

Those are pretty nice Wog. I also like the locking strap they have for $15; I might just have to stop by my local Brookstone and pick one up.

 

[TheWog]

Those are pretty nice Wog. I also like the locking strap they have for $15; I might just have to stop by my local Brookstone and pick one up.

They are pretty decent. I lent it to my FIL last month and TSA searched his suitcase and the little red tab was up with a note in the bag. So you knew it had been searched. Easy combo lock and you get to pick the code.

 

[SueM in MN]

We've used zipties for years, way longer than they have had the TSA locks.
We don't see them as a deterent, but they are a good way to keep the zippers zipped and if you have no zipties or zipties of a different color/type on when you get your bags, you know someone was in your bags.

 

[jenelope]

I've used plastic zip ties for the past few years. The first time, I stopped by the food court at the hotel on my way through the building and got a cashier to cut my ties (food court cashiers at Disney resorts have scissors handy for cutting tags on refillable mugs). However, the second time, I ended up in the gift shop at 11:30 PM looking for any kind of cutting tool before finally settling on a flimsy pair of nail clippers. They weren't easy to cut that way, either.

Even though locks and ties are "no deterrant to a determined thief," I'll always use something to keep the zippers closed. An unsecured pocket and a very dumb former friend who put his keys in checked baggage have ensured that.

 

[salmoneous]

To get the zipties off bags without scissors I insert a pen/pencil and twist until the tie breaks.

 

[K9pal]

We used the "bread bag" twist ties this time, just to keep the zippers closed. One bag was inspected and had the note inside, but the tie was not replaced.

Funny story about zipties - several years ago (pre-9/11) we went on a cruise, and I used zipties and put a small pair of scissors in one of the outside pockets, thinking I was so smart. So one piece gets delivered to our cabin, and one didn't... guess which one didn't?! I had to flag down one of the cruise staff, who didn't speak much English, and looked at the ziptie and then at me like I was nuts for using it in the first place! Then he had to go find something to cut it with.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I use the plastic ties...in a variety of colors (except blue). I put it on prior to leaving home, when my luggage has been inspected there has been a blue plastic tie put back on it and a note in the suitcase to say it was inspected.

I just bought a pack of multicolored cable ties at Wal-Mart. I just want to confirm--is it blue that TSA uses to reclose the bags?

 

[beccasmom]

We use the TSA locks -

http://www.travelsentry.org/