stupid question

[threechildren]

I know this is a stupid question but we don't fly much and I can't remember what we did years ago....does anyone lock their suitcases. Do you use the ones they come with or do you buys others, leave it unlocked or ziptie them? I thought someone told us they will break the locks open if they need to at the airports.

thanks for the help!!

 

[gydell]

You have to have a lock that is ASA approved. We do lock ours just so it doesn't come open and things fall out. You can get the locks at Walmart.

 

[frdeb1999]

We use the locks on ours and have never had them broken. I would never in this day and age not lock them as too many people have access to them in the airports and you never know what may end up or be taken out! I want to say that we use a type that airlines can access....but may be wrong since my husband normally takes care of those things.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I know this is a stupid question but we don't fly much and I can't remember what we did years ago....does anyone lock their suitcases. Do you use the ones they come with or do you buys others, leave it unlocked or ziptie them? I thought someone told us they will break the locks open if they need to at the airports.

thanks for the help!!

Not a stupid question at all! Do not lock your suitcases. It is against FAA regulations to do so.

 

[gydell]

Not a stupid question at all! Do not lock your suitcases. It is against FAA regulations to do so.

It is not against the regulation if you use the approved locks. They can be opened and the ones we have let you know if it was opened.

 

[poohs4me]

We do not lock ours. We try not to put anything of value into the suitcase just in case. If someone really wants my undies, have at it.

 

[Got Quattro?]

It is not against the regulation if you use the approved locks. They can be opened and the ones we have let you know if it was opened.

Thats the problem....The "approved locks" have keys that can be gotten anywhere. So even when you lock them, they can be opened easy.

We never lock ours, and mae sure that is it's cant be replaced when stolen, it's in carry on.

 

[frdeb1999]

LOL too funny poohs4me! Can I just say though that I am in federal law enforcement as is my husband and I would reccomend that you lock your suitcase as you can get unexpected suprises in them. And believe me that is the last thing you want while traveling especially if you are from another country.

 

[Cruise]

I use zip ties on mine. They can easily be cut off if the TSA needs access, but is just enough to discourage a baggage handler looking for the easy hit.

 

[inkkognito]

I recommend zip ties too (and not just because I used to work for a company that makes 'em!). Easy on, easy enough off for TSA but too time consuming for casual thieves looking for the easy hit. Also, it's very readily apparent when they have been removed.

 

[yndygo]

LOL too funny poohs4me! Can I just say though that I am in federal law enforcement as is my husband and I would reccomend that you lock your suitcase as you can get unexpected suprises in them. And believe me that is the last thing you want while traveling especially if you are from another country.

No doubt! lol...
This makes me have to relate a funny story from our last time coming home from DCL - and it's a good thing I'm the one who packed DH's suitcase, lol... otherwise the "not-mine-3-sizes-too-small-and-clearly-worn" ladies thong that showed up in his suitcase when I took out the clothes to do laundry might have made me raise my eyebrow!!!

Instead, we puzzled over it's existence for a bit until we realized that it probably fell out of someone else's suitcase and a TSA agent just stuffed it back in the nearest one... not bothering to see if it was the right one. Either that, or there's a TSA agent out there with a warped sense of humor - putting it in what was clearly a suitcase full of men's clothing.

Somewhere, there's a woman wondering where her thong went.
It went in the trash - and we still laugh about it.

Then again, I can imagine how much trouble that could cause in a different marriage and under different circumstances!!

 

[Regina]

Moving this to Transportation where you'll find plenty of TSA advice.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Use Zip ties but don't make them so tight you can't get something in there to cut them and be sure to leave small scissors in an accessible pocket of a checked bag. and bring more for the return journey.