luggage question

[junebug18]

When we check our bags in can we lock the zippers so they cant be opened? Last time we flew someone went thru our bag cause by the time our luggage got to our room some of our snacks had been opened and a few taken, so Im just wondering if I can put a lock on my bag. TIA

 

[Jestocost]

You can lock your bags or secure the zippers with zip ties or something, but TSA has the authority to open them for a search and may do so. As a result, unless you put on TSA compliant locks that they can open you may find that whatever lock you do put on has been cut off to facilitate a search.

 

[dudspizza]

We always lock our stuff, but honestly, if someone wants in it won't take much. I more lock my stuff to secure the zipper. Look for locks that have the TSA approved symbol on it, such as this one....

 

[dancin Disney style]

Zip ties or cable ties are the best thing to use. If the TSA opens your bag all they have to do is cut them off and they will then replace it with a new one when finished. If you have the TSA locks they may or may not open them with a key...they can cut them if they want.

Cable ties are super cheap. I leave a supply of them in the outside pocket of my bags with a tiny pair of scissors from the dollar store.

 

[aubriee]

Zip ties or cable ties are the best thing to use. If the TSA opens your bag all they have to do is cut them off and they will then replace it with a new one when finished. If you have the TSA locks they may or may not open them with a key...they can cut them if they want.

Cable ties are super cheap. I leave a supply of them in the outside pocket of my bags with a tiny pair of scissors from the dollar store.

This is what we do. Twice I've used a TSA lock and both times it was removed and not replaced, so I gave up. For some reason the zip ties they always replace. I always use the bright neon colored ones you can get at Home Depot and if TSA searches the bag, my bright colored zip tie is replaced with a black one. That way I know someone has been in my bag, as frequently TSA will not put the little piece of paper in saying the bag was searched. I keep extras in my bags, along with a small pair of child's scissors.

 

[goofy4tink]

Of course you can be like me. I have never locked a checked bag. I figure if they want my clothes or snacks that badly, well, they probably need 'em more than I do. I have yet to have an issue. The only time, in 30+ years of flying, that I have had something taken out of a checked bag was about 22 years ago. Flew to San Fransisco for my honeymoom and had some decent costume jewelry in my checked bag. Guess it really looked expensive 'cause it wasn't there when I got my bag. I can only imagine someone's disappointment when they found that 'beautiful, expensive' necklace was worth about $15!!!

Other than that, I've never had anything stolen. I just don't pack anything in those bags that anyone would want or that I can't replace easily.

 

[junebug18]

Ok thank you all for your responses. I guess there is no real way to keep them out.

I never pack anything in my checked bag worth worrying about, but what bothered me was the idea of them opening the food, I mean you hear of people injecting candy with things at Halloween and it just bothers me that they open my snacks, but I guess that means I just need to order my snacks online instead of taking them, again thank you.

 

[pinkprincess30]

If you have some punk kid just looking for snacks or something like that a simple zip tie might deter them, just because it's not as quick and easy. Just a thought

 

[jsilvers]

what bothered me was the idea of them opening the food, I mean you hear of people injecting candy with things at Halloween

Which aren't true. Snopes.com notes that while there have been attempts to use the urban legend to cover up efforts to poison a specific child, there are no verified cases of random Halloween candy poisoning (and only a handful of verified incidents of foreign objects in Halloween candy). See http://www.snopes.com/horrors/poison/halloween.asp.

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I think there are other things to worry about more in planning your trip - i.e., the odds of your plane going down on your way to Orlando, while themselves infinitesimal, are probably higher than of snacks in checked baggage being tampered with...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You can lock your bags or secure the zippers with zip ties or something, but TSA has the authority to open them for a search and may do so. As a result, unless you put on TSA compliant locks that they can open you may find that whatever lock you do put on has been cut off to facilitate a search.

And if you do use thier "approved" locks they may still just cut them off or throw them away.

You hear of "aliens" abducting folks too... you can "hear" about all kinds of things. Worrying about them all takes way too much work!

 

[mopee3]

Of course you can be like me. I have never locked a checked bag. I figure if they want my clothes or snacks that badly, well, they probably need 'em more than I do. I just don't pack anything in those bags that anyone would want or that I can't replace easily.

Yep what Goofy said, if people, TSA or whoever, want in your bag... well they are going to get in.

Moe

 

[dancin Disney style]

Yep what Goofy said, if people, TSA or whoever, want in your bag... well they are going to get in.

Moe

I agree...but I don't think I'm going to make it easier for them. I always us a cable tie.

 

[Disney DieHard]

I know that this post is a little old but after reading the original post and replies I HAD to post this little tid-bit that I got hit with.

First, the T.S.A. has the authority to search your bags for any reason ... you cannot stop them. If you do NOT use a T.S.A. compliant lock on your bag they can and will cut it off.

Knowing that fact and having the lock cut off my suitcase twice I decided to invest in the T.S.A. compliant locks and sure enough my bag was searched again. However, the "very well trained" T.S.A. agent who opened my bag PUT THE WRONG LOCK BACK ON!!!

I noticed it as soon as I pulled it off the belt because my lock was orange and this one was green! So after talking to a few "very helpful" T.S.A. agents who apparently have no problem opening your luggage in private ... NOBODY could find anyone who had the master key for the locks so they had to call an airport maintenance person to come and cut the lock off! NOT a T.S.A. agent ... the airport maintenance man!

Gosh, I just feel so safe with the T.S.A. around!

Take Care & Be Safe Everyone!

Frank
Disney DieHard

 

[revdon64]

It must be something about the snacks. Last time DW and I went to WDW we packed some snacks for long days in the parks in our checked bags. When our bags were delivered to the room by DME we found that some of the snacks were missing from our luggage. Nothing more than pretzel sticks and cheese dip packs, goldfish crackers, etc - We found it more funny than disturbung to tell the truth.

 

[aubriee]

It must be something about the snacks. Last time DW and I went to WDW we packed some snacks for long days in the parks in our checked bags. When our bags were delivered to the room by DME we found that some of the snacks were missing from our luggage. Nothing more than pretzel sticks and cheese dip packs, goldfish crackers, etc - We found it more funny than disturbung to tell the truth.

We've had snacks disappear from our checked bags too--Pringles and two bags of granola.

I've also had a couple of quart zip lock bags full of bath salts disappear on the way to MCO and then on the way home had a bottle of wine I was bringing home for a friend, who'd babysat my dog all week disappear. I got home with her Mickey wine glasses, but not her wine. I was surprised that whoever took the wine didn't want the glasses to go with it. Every time I've had either a TSA lock or a zip tie on the bag. If there is something in there they want, they're going to get it, no matter what you secure your bag with. Now we just use the neon colored zip ties from Home Depot. If they cut those, they replace them with a black one, so we know someone's been in our bag.

 

[goofy4tink]

Can I safely assume that all of you who had 'snacks' missing from your bags, or anything else for that matter, contacted the appropriate people and complained?? Yeah, I know...it's a baggie of pretzel sticks, so no biggie, but the TSA shouldn't be having 'snack time' thanks to the passengers and someone needs to report these shenanigans.

 

[aubriee]

Can I safely assume that all of you who had 'snacks' missing from your bags, or anything else for that matter, contacted the appropriate people and complained?? Yeah, I know...it's a baggie of pretzel sticks, so no biggie, but the TSA shouldn't be having 'snack time' thanks to the passengers and someone needs to report these shenanigans.

My snacks and bath salts, no, but the bottle of wine yes. Nothing came of it though.

 

[Promomx2]

Do you put the pair of child scissors in the checked bag? I thought you couldn't take them in carryon bags.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do you put the pair of child scissors in the checked bag? I thought you couldn't take them in carryon bags.

Yes you can, if they are metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches.

You can easily check for info on prohibited items on the tsa.gov website

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

we use zip ties and bring extra to secure our bags when we are not in the room.