New to flying, how do you lock your luggage?

[NvrBnToWDW]

With all the security at airports, is luggage not allowed to have locks? How do you keep all of your belongings safe? We will be using the new Disney transportation in May and they'll be transporting our luggage. What do you secure your luggage with and when do you do it (after baggage check)?

 

[safetymom]

The TSA doesn't want the luggage locked. Even with a lock it isn't secure. Any good thief could get into your luggage quickly.

Don't put anything of value in your luggage. If you want to keep the zippers together use cable ties you can buy at Home Depot, etc.

 

[CarolA]

My theory is that all a lock does is tell a thief.... "there is something in there they don't want me to have". I have never locked my luggage and everything always shows up.

As Safetymom says don't check valuables. That means cameara, electronics, jewerly etc... (Do you figure someone really wants to steal dirty underwear?) Also, be sure that all film is in your carryon. The xrays used on checked luggage will destroy it!

 

[cdrn1]

I never lock my luggage anymore. I put on the plastic ties that the airport security can just cut off if they want to. I have only had them cut off once, and security left a note that they had looked through my bag and then they reapplied a plastic tie. I do take a lock, though, to lock my bag at the hotel. I figure it's more likely that someone in housekeeping would want what I have than someone in the airport. All my high $$ stuff gets put in my carry-on.

 

[gallaj0]

They now have locks that the TSA has a master key for, so they don't have to cut off a plastis tie, or replace it when they are done. They have a special mark on them, identifiing them as TSA approved.

Here's a look at one of them; the red diamond is the TSA approval:

 

[n2mm]

Never lock our luggage here either. We travel to WDW 5 times a year. We agree, if it's locked, you're telling someone there's something valuable in it. We carry our valuables with us in a small rolling backpack. We mostly worry about our luggage getting lost, and if it gets lost, it won't matter if there's a lock on it or not.

 

[safetymom]

The TSA lock is a good idea but I wouldn't count on the fact that every airport has the master key. When it doubt they will break the lock.

 

[beccasmom]

We don't lock either, but I've never been happy about it. Keep all valuables...and medications...with you.

 

[DVC-Don]

We've just been using cable ties (zip ties) since fall 2001.

 

[CarolA]

Sorry, but those great TSA locks probably are not worth what you paid for them. If the TSA has the "Master key" I am willing to bet so do half the baggage handlers in the airport. Plus..... those little locks can just be torn off. (We used to use them to lock up furs, they are useless!)

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I'm not sure what we use are called. It's a big strap type thing, that goes around the whole suitcase and clicks together. It helps to keep the suitcase closed, if the zipper breaks, and helps us locate our luggage easier.

 

[Kimberle]

They now have locks that the TSA has a master key for, so they don't have to cut off a plastis tie, or replace it when they are done. They have a special mark on them, identifiing them as TSA approved.

Here's a look at one of them; the red diamond is the TSA approval:

I use these as well.