New luggage locks...

[plutojudy]

Has anyone tried the new luggage locks? Travel Sentry Certified Luggage Lock, "legal locks" by Travel Sentry? Read about them in USA WEELEND and Target has them this week for $6.88. They are supposed to be TSA approved.

 

[outahere]

I haven't used them, but there have been a few short articles in the Travel section of the Sunday Boston Globe, about people using them and having them cut off. It seems that not all of the screeners are aware that there is a master key, so they don't need to destroy them.

I have been using tie-wraps lately, and if they cut them off, who cares? Just remember to put some extras in your luggage for the trip home. Oh........... and make sure you have something to cut them off when you get to your destination (I put small nailclippers in an outside pocket of my checked luggage).

 

[magicalfam5]

I purchased two at the AAA travel store. I chose the cheaper ones for $3.99. They told me that the logo on the lock was suppose to alert them that they can use a master key to unlock them if necessary. I haven't used them yet. I guess I better pack some zip ties for the trip home in case they get cut off.

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

I wasn't planning on locking my luggage, but since these sound like good options. Where do you buy the tie-strips?
Thanks
Kathy

 

[mobetsy]

You can get zip ties at Radio Shack, any home improvement store, and at most office supply stores these days.

 

[DrCavin]

I would opt for using zip-ties as well. The last time I flew my luggage was randomly inspected & they zip-tied them shut. Problem was I had nothing to cut the zip-ties with. Had to go down to front-desk of the hotel & borrow some scisors to open my bags

 

[MarkRG]

Doesn't surprise me in the least, it's quicker for them to use the boltcutters than figure out which key # opens the lock.

I got the same kind of stupid answer from Samsonite. We bought one of those very neat looking rollaway hardsider cases to use as our main luggage when we fly. We bought it 6 months before Sep 11. We havn't used it since because of this unlock rule. Samsonite's answer was that TSA has the master keys for all their locks. And that the side latches would stay latched even unlocked. WRONG! the locks are the only thing keeping the latches down, the first time the case gets bumped they'll pop open for sure. And I believe if we locked it they'd break it too, just to save time. :/

 

[jlp651]

I got mine at brookstone...the first set-one of them didnt work-good thing I tried it before we left! my mechanic cut it off and I brought it back to the store for new ones that work great! TSA knows too not to take them off...when we were in orlando they asked if our locks were off...when we showed them what the locks were they were cool with it.