Luggage Locks

[mickey4ver]

While they are practically useless, so flimsy, the little padlocks that you put on the zippers of your suitcase, will they still be allowed to be used on your checked luggage? Just curious how much that luggage is scrutinized, that if you had it locked and something showed up in the suspicious area, how would they get into your luggage if one of these locks are used?

Just curious. I always have one on my luggage, more of a comfort for me I guess then really stopping someone from rifling through my stuff. They most likely could easily be forced open.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: my luggage does have the padlocks, but i usually don't lock the zippers shut. if they really want to go through my luggage, i'd prefer them not to have to break the lock or bag to do so. there's nothing irreplaceable in my bags, just clothes. anything at all valuable, i have with me in my carryon.

 

[ducklite]

I use heavy duty combination locks on my luggage. They are not your typical flimsy things from a travel store, I buy them at a local locksmith. And I set the combo. They would need boltcutters to get them off.

As far as what they do when they want to inspect your luggage after you have checked it...I can tell you that. It happened to me in 1990. They came to the gate area and called my name, and asked me to come to the desk. I had to go with them. They had my luggage in a small room. They asked me what I had packed in it...and I told them, a portable B&W TV, a "The Club", duct tape, a 4 D cell maglite, some rope, a bunch of rubber bands, and dirty laundry. (Don't ask!) They asked me to open it, which I did, and they rummaged through it. Finding nothing of interest, I was allowed to reseal it, and was escorted back to the gate. I didn't want to ask what they thought I had, lest I open Pandoras Box. I chalked it up to "one of those experiences of life".

Anne

 

[mickey4ver]

I know you didn't mean it to be funny Anne, and trying to be helpful, but your post just made me laugh! What a bunch of "neat" stuff you were hauling around! Thanks though, I have an understanding of what they might do now if a situation arose that they wanted to take a peek.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by mickey4ver
I know you didn't mean it to be funny Anne, and trying to be helpful, but your post just made me laugh! What a bunch of "neat" stuff you were hauling around! Thanks though, I have an understanding of what they might do now if a situation arose that they wanted to take a peek.

Lest you all think I'm nuts or somehow related to Ted Kozinski--I know, that's kind of redundant--I had a job that required me to rent vehicles often, and they required that we secure same vehicle with the Club. I did a lot of accounting, and handled cash (rubber bands), and spent a lot of time doing nothing in between handling that cash (portable tv), and carried the Maglight because it was a good form of protection, plus you should always carry a flashlight when you travel. The rope and duct tape was also something for the job. And the dirty laundry--well, don't we all have that at the end of a trip ?

Anne