Suitcase Lock Tip

[Finiamh]

If you are like me and are using the TSA locks on your suitcases, take a Sharpie and write that TSA lock number from the bottom of the lock(usually TSA007) , nice and big on the lock itself. That way it can be seen from a distance that it is not an unapproved lock.

 

[GAMC369]

I always use small plastic zip ties and if they cut them to inspect they put a new one on for me.

 

[aubriee]

I always use small plastic zip ties and if they cut them to inspect they put a new one on for me.

After losing two TSA locks that's what we do also.

 

[CleoPahd]

We also only use zip ties now. I just have to make sure I always put something in the outer suitcase pocket to cut them off with when we arrive.

 

[Alesia]

I just use twisty ties.

 

[tekoa]

We use the zip ties also. Found some orange ones at Wal Mart. My suitcase is black like 95% of the others and the orange zip ties help me identify my bag a bit easier. I also have purple yarn on the handle in case security does cut the ties, but that has never happened.

 

[aubriee]

We use the zip ties also. Found some orange ones at Wal Mart. My suitcase is black like 95% of the others and the orange zip ties help me identify my bag a bit easier. I also have purple yarn on the handle in case security does cut the ties, but that has never happened.

I got a bag of zip ties at Home Depot that are neon colored. They're bright orange, hot pink, lime green, and bright yellow. I carry either my Heys black and white plaid hard sided bag or my big pink wheeled duffel that has my name embroidered on it=kinda hard to miss either.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

After losing two TSA locks that's what we do also.

Why did you lose them?? Did you have them on and they took them off and KEPT them??? I think that I may be changing my mind and just putting those zipties on mine--I was thinking about using the TSA ones more for the resort when we thye our stuff their b4 our room is ready and on last day...

 

[TinkerBrie]

I never lock or ziptie our suitcases.... Should I???? Why do ya'll do this??

 

[benolathe]

I never lock or ziptie our suitcases.... Should I???? Why do ya'll do this??

The reason that I always use zip ties on our suitcases is to prevent the zippers from coming apart and 'unzipping' while in transit. Just be sure to put a pair of scissors in an outside (not zip tied) pocket of the suitcase so that you can cut open the zip ties upon arrival.

 

[Alesia]

The reason that I always use zip ties on our suitcases is to prevent the zippers from coming apart and 'unzipping' while in transit. Just be sure to put a pair of scissors in an outside (not zip tied) pocket of the suitcase so that you can cut open the zip ties upon arrival.

Yes. You can also carry scissors in your carry-on, as long as the blade is less than 4". Or if you use twisty ties, you don't even need the scissors.

 

[aubriee]

Why did you lose them?? Did you have them on and they took them off and KEPT them??? I think that I may be changing my mind and just putting those zipties on mine--I was thinking about using the TSA ones more for the resort when we thye our stuff their b4 our room is ready and on last day...

They either cut them off or just kept them. I'm not sure. All I know is that when we got our bags in Orlando the locks were missing. We no longer use them. They had the red diamond on both sides showing that they were TSA approved, but they were still missing. If you use zip ties and they need to get in your bag, TSA will cut them off, and then replace it with one of theirs. Because theirs' are black I can tell when they'e been in my bag. It's happened three times since we started using the neon colored zip ties. Only twice was one of those TSA papers left in the suitcase showing they had checked inside the bag. The other time the only way we knew someone had been in the bag was that the lime green zip tie had been replaced with a black one. I keep extra colored zip ties in the side pocket of my carry on with a small pair of scissors, so I can cut them off once the bags get to the resort and so that I'll have zip ties to use on the way home. There's been a few times I've given out the neon colored zip ties to other people waiting in line to check their bags. They say something like they wished they'd thought of it, so I offer them a couple.

I have a 26" Heys hard sided spinner bag that has a built in TSA combination lock. You just zip it so both zipper tags are at the top where the lock is and place both zipper tags into it and turn the combination which snaps a little bar into place through the zipper tags. No way would I take a chance of using that lock. I still use a zip tie on it. I wouldn't take a chance of them tearing the entire bag up trying to get into it.

I didn't explain that very well did I? Click on the next to the last picture here and you'll see what I'm talking about:

http://www.luggagepros.com/heys-usa-xcase-exotic-spinner-set-30-26-20.shtml