Where do I buy these?

[Liz]

I'm not even sure what they are called. Is it cable ties? The things people talk about locking their luggage with that can be snipped off with fingernail clippers? Would WalMart have them (only major store in town) and if so in what department? I looked in the travel section with the luggage and didn't see anything.

Thanks! We leave in a little more than 24 hrs!

 

[scoutsmom99]

They are located in the Hardware sections at both Target and Walmart. They can also be found at a local hardware store, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. They come with quite a few in a pack and in multiple sizes and colors as well. Hope that helps.

 

[golfgal]

Any hardware department will have them, ask for zip ties.

 

[aengus]

I was under the impression that these days the airports dont want any locked luggage. I also thought it they came across it locked, they would definitely open it. Is this not true?

 

[bytheblood]

You are correct. They will make you unlock your luggage and if they have to do it themselves, you risk your luggage being damaged.

Please view the folling TSA link........
http://www.tsa.gov/public/search

 

[Liz]

I thought the benefit of using these zip ties (thank you!) was that if they needed to inspect your luggage they could easily cut them off without damaging your luggage or any locks you might have on there. I would just like to use these to keep my luggage from accidentally coming open. Do they only inspect luggage that shows something questionable on an x-ray?

 

[Carrieberry]

Here in Phoenix we had locks on our luggage and we just had to stand over by the xray machine in case they needed it unlocked because it looked suspicious on the x ray. Nothing did and they did not need to open them so we went on our way and the locks were left on. I think zip ties are a better way to go because they can just cut them off easily if necessary. I see no problem with them, at least not at our airport.

 

[clkelley]

The automotive department at Wal-Mart has a good selection of these cable ties.

Carol

 

[Tracie]

Hardware or automotive depts at Wal-Mart. I have used zip ties the last 3 trips and have had mine cut off to check inside once they put new zip ties back on.

 

[scoutsmom99]

I usually use twist ties on my suitcase. I just take two and fold them in half (looks like one twist tie, but doubled) and then slip it through the loops of my luggae where the lock is supposed to go. Works great and only once have I had my luggage searched (on the way to Vegas) and they did put a red cable tie on afterwards and they left a not in my bag.

 

[TiggWDW]

I found them in hardware by the lightbulbs! I had to ask someone where they were though. Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

[Liz]

Oops, that last post was by me. I didn't realize my daughter was signed in.

 

[Luv2Roam]

When my sister was here just this last week I was surprised to see she had locked her luggage. (She only had one checked bag.)
She just used one of those generic, cheaper locks.
She offered to remove the lock when she checked her bag at the airport she flew from. They said it did not matter. And apparently it did not. Her luggage had been opened and inspected behind the scenes.
We "assumed" TSA has methods to unlock luggage that is locked.
Her luggage was locked back up. She would not have known they were in her luggage, except for the paper noticed they leave behind.