Suitcase locks?

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Have left this a little late...we fly on Sunday !

Last year we just used those little padlocks but have since read that you are meant to have some that can be opened by security if they want to ?

Is this essential or shall I just use my little padlocks and if they want to get into my case they will have to break the locks (wouldnt be difficult )

If I should have them where can I get them from (not online as no time !)

Thanks

 

[orangetiggs]

You can get tsa locks that they can open without breaking them, we have our locks broken and they leave a note inside them

 

[2Tiggies]

I use TSA locks too. If they do need to open the bags, they remove the lock with their key and will replace it again once they have completed their bag check. If your lock has been opened by the TSA staff, when locked again, it will have a little red ring around the base of the metal loop to indicate that it the luggage has been inspected. If you don't use a TSA lock and they do need to open it, as Orangetiggs says, they will break the lock and although they will leave it with a note in your bag, your luggage is then not locked for the remainder of the trip from that point on. I have travelled with TSA locks and with no locks at all. Simply put, no TSA lock, I rather just leave it open. I am more bothered about keeping my hand luggage secured as that is what you need to keep an eye on more vigilantly as you spend hours trailng around the airport. The main luggage goes straight from the check in desk through the airport security and screening systems so I have fewer concerns about that.

 

[wayneg]

Not locked a suitcase for past 20+ years, if anyone want to get in they will. I know many like the TSA locks but I don't see the point, a zip can be opening in 1 second, a soft case can be cut with a knife in no time.
We don't put anything in the cases that is much value, everything can be replaced without too much trouble.

 

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Thanks for the info

Like Wayne we never put anything of value in the cases so Im thinking we might just not lock them

Definately travelling lighter this year now we know what its not worth taking,the stuff for 4 of us has fit easily into 3 cases.

 

[lin85prest]

Asda sell the TSA padlocks, but personally I travel with out any lock

 

[FloFlo71]

Tesco sell Antler TSA locks at £5.50 each.

 

[orangetiggs]

Would you be covered bybtravel insurance if you dont lock your case and things go missing?

 

[disneyholic family]

i lock my bags just to keep the stuff inside, not to keep people out..
i'm always afraid the zipper will open if i don't lock them.

i use TSA locks...

 

[wayneg]

Would you be covered bybtravel insurance if you dont lock your case and things go missing?

I would never claim for anything going missing from a case, maybe if the whole lot went I might but I would just say they were locked, how would anyone know any different?
Its all down to however you feel happiest, if you feel better having a lock on put one one.

 

[2Tiggies]

Its all down to however you feel happiest, if you feel better having a lock on put one one.

I must admit, I lock my cases primarily to ensure it is harder for people to try and put anything in - rather than concern over them taking anything out. Hence the reason I would rather lock my hand luggage than hold luggage if I had to choose only one or the other.

 

[loobzuk]

we use TSA locks and one of our cases was opened last time but the lock was opened with their key. I usually use locks as I think given the choice between a case with a lock and one without anyone intent on putting anything in or taking anything out would more likely pick the one without a lock.

That said, we bought new cases this year which have a couple of outside compartments each so we'd need to buy lots of new locks (9 new ones if we try to lock everything). The cost of all those new locks is making me think twice about it.

 

[2Tiggies]

That said, we bought new cases this year which have a couple of outside compartments each so we'd need to buy lots of new locks (9 new ones if we try to lock everything). The cost of all those new locks is making me think twice about it.

I don't bother with those. Cheap cable ties are fine. I don't put anything into those compartments outside anyway so I am happy for the ties to be cut and they really just cost pennies.

 

[2Tiggies]

I don't think any of us have answered the OP's question as to where to find them. I have picked a few up at Homebase before, B&Q had them earlier this summer, Superdrug, Semi Chem ... just trying to think of easy to access high street places I have seen them or purchased them from

 

[loobzuk]

most supermarkets sell them and I've seen them in Boots as well.

 

[Goofyish]

I use TSA combination padlocks on cases that they are able to be fitted onto.

I also have a TSA combination luggage stap that will fit round a case that doesn't have the facility for adding an additional padlock. This has the added benefits of helping to protect the case from busting open and because it is a rainbow strap it makes the case stand out at baggage claim

 

[disneyholic family]

I use TSA combination padlocks on cases that they are able to be fitted onto.

I also have a TSA combination luggage stap that will fit round a case that doesn't have the facility for adding an additional padlock. This has the added benefits of helping to protect the case from busting open and because it is a rainbow strap it makes the case stand out at baggage claim

i use straps on my cases, but not the locking kind, just the regular straps....
i also worry about my luggage busting open (clearly i'm a worrier )..

also, the strangely coloured straps help in identifying my luggage!!

 

[2Tiggies]

also, the strangely coloured straps help in identifying my luggage!!

I always find a way to make my luggage clearly visible when it appears on the carousel. I like it when I know that as people see our bags coming through they are (hopefully) thinking "That's DEFINITELY not mine ...."

We had 2 of our cases mistakenly uplifted by another passenger at Heathrow one year. It was obvious that it was a mistake as there were two lonely bags left on the carousel which looked almost identical to ours. Unfortunately I had required going to check in a car seat and something else for a connecting flight so by the time the folk had realised their error and returned to the airport, we were already on our way to Scotland, meaning we had to wait another day or two for it to be sent up to us.

Needless to say, you can never have too many ways of making your luggage stand out!

 

[paulfoel]

I would never claim for anything going missing from a case, maybe if the whole lot went I might but I would just say they were locked, how would anyone know any different?
Its all down to however you feel happiest, if you feel better having a lock on put one one.

Why wouldnt you claim?

 

[lucy_love_]

we never use locks. dh uses air travel at least once a month for work and never uses locks either.