Montannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,486 
Location: Big Sky Country
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Post by Montannie on Mar 22, 2016 15:08:03 GMT
I put a zip tie on to keep it from coming open. I also put a nail clipper in an outside pocket of the bag (not zip tied) to clip the zip tie at the hotel. Works pretty well. I've only had a bag inspected once.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,899
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Mar 22, 2016 15:27:44 GMT
A thief (or yourself if you lose your lock key) can break into luggage using a ball point pen in one second. Stab it into the zipper and split it apart. When you are done just re-zip the zipper back up with the locks still in place. No damage to your suitcase.
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scrappinghappy
Pearl Clutcher
“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” Goodbye. I’m late...."
Posts: 4,307
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Post by scrappinghappy on Mar 22, 2016 16:45:04 GMT
More to the point you absolutely MUST lock carry on luggage especially on long haul flights or if you plan to sleep. You would not believe the amount of theft that occurs in the passenger cabin. Includes stuff swiped from the seat pocket while you nap or go to the bathroom.
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
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Post by likescarrots on Mar 22, 2016 17:09:04 GMT
We don't use locks. Sometimes i will use pipe cleaners just to keep the zippers closed up together.
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Post by katlady on Mar 22, 2016 17:41:06 GMT
More to the point you absolutely MUST lock carry on luggage especially on long haul flights or if you plan to sleep. You would not believe the amount of theft that occurs in the passenger cabin. Includes stuff swiped from the seat pocket while you nap or go to the bathroom. So far I haven't traveled alone on a flight longer than 3 hours, so I have avoided this dilemma, but I do think about this and wonder what would I do if I had to get up to use the restroom. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Mar 22, 2016 17:42:04 GMT
I never do. what's the point of the locks if someone can just open it anyway? Our last trip we even took a pistol (in an approved hard sided case with padlocks) inside the suitcase and left the bag unlocked. I figure the odds of them taking that are slim because if a gun comes up missing there'll be lots of questions. You have to declare it as you check in so they KNOW what's in your bag.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Mar 22, 2016 17:44:31 GMT
No. There's nothing I put in my checked bags that I need to keep locked. I carry few items that would be worth stealing and those are in my carry on. Same here. But I think we've only flown twice since 9/11. |
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Post by anniefb on Mar 22, 2016 17:58:59 GMT
I always lock my checked luggage because I'm paranoid about the possibility someone might put something in my bag. When flying to the US I use a TSA approved lock. Other times I use a regular combination padlock.
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Post by cmpeter on Mar 22, 2016 18:02:11 GMT
I check a bag at least a dozen times a year and it's never been searched. I also don't put anything of value in there.
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Post by annabella on Mar 22, 2016 18:26:46 GMT
You can't lock your luggage, it's not allowed. I've also noticed it's hard to find hard suitcases without zipper close, hence built in lock.
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Post by *KAS* on Mar 22, 2016 18:26:47 GMT
I check luggage all the time and I've never locked it.
If a TSA worker wants to get in my bag, they can regardless of a lock. I think the bigger risk is somebody just taking the entire suitcase vs. opening it up and digging through it. I feel like a lock makes it appear there is something valuable in it, and would make it a bigger target. I never pack anything in my luggage that isn't replaceable.
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valleyview
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,816
Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
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Post by valleyview on Mar 22, 2016 19:46:02 GMT
More to the point you absolutely MUST lock carry on luggage especially on long haul flights or if you plan to sleep. You would not believe the amount of theft that occurs in the passenger cabin. Includes stuff swiped from the seat pocket while you nap or go to the bathroom. Now I see the bright side to not being able to sleep on long flights!  |
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Post by epeanymous on Mar 22, 2016 19:56:34 GMT
Never, and I travel by plane a decent amount. Valuables go on the plane with me. I once had one knitting needle go astray, but that was it (and wouldn't have been prevented by a lock -- TSA had searched the bag and I think just dropped it or something).
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melanieg
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,611
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Post by melanieg on Mar 22, 2016 19:59:44 GMT
I use zipties. Have never had any issues. I had my suitcase searched last week when I flew home from Fort Lauderdale. They replaced the ziptie lol I only knew bc I found the TSA card on top of my rum when I opened it at home.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Mar 22, 2016 20:09:30 GMT
You can't lock your luggage, it's not allowed. I've also noticed it's hard to find hard suitcases without zipper close, hence built in lock. Yes you can, annabella. There are TSA approved locks you can buy that they have a special key to use to open them. I've decided not to buy them. |
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Post by bigbundt on Mar 22, 2016 20:17:12 GMT
I use a zip tie just to keep the suitcase from accidentally opening. My suitcase has a built in TSA lock but I only use it if we are leaving it someplace like bell services.
I don't know that my bag has ever been searched.
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Post by alexa11 on Mar 22, 2016 21:29:32 GMT
I never bother.
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Post by flanz on Mar 22, 2016 21:32:39 GMT
I use the TSA locks. Mine have been inspected before and they weren't cut open, they just used the key. i bought TSa locks once, usually leave suitcases unlocked but we were goign to Europe and I thought I'd feel more secure this way. These locks were ones I was supposed to be able to select and then set a combination for. Well, I followed the instructions (tiniest font ever) and thankfully locked them when they were not attached to the luggage. COULD NOT OPEN IT. AT. ALL. Actually I only tried this with one of them.. have them sitting here somewhere ready to be taken back to the store... Anyone had luck with these? |
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Mar 22, 2016 21:35:45 GMT
The only time I check luggage is when I'm carrying SCUBA gear - yes, I lock it. Does it give me a false sense of security? I don't know, I've never had anything stolen, so.
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Post by birukitty on Mar 22, 2016 21:44:01 GMT
More to the point you absolutely MUST lock carry on luggage especially on long haul flights or if you plan to sleep. You would not believe the amount of theft that occurs in the passenger cabin. Includes stuff swiped from the seat pocket while you nap or go to the bathroom. Now I see the bright side to not being able to sleep on long flights! This is me too. I can never sleep on flights no matter how long they are. I flew from Seattle to Japan and stayed awake the entire time. Guess there's a bonus now since Scrappinghappy just informed us about theft during the flight in the cabin-something I honestly never considered. Thanks so much for that Scrappinghappy! I'll be more cautious from now on. Debbie in MD. |
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Post by lodgelady on Mar 22, 2016 22:31:48 GMT
More to the point you absolutely MUST lock carry on luggage especially on long haul flights or if you plan to sleep. You would not believe the amount of theft that occurs in the passenger cabin. Includes stuff swiped from the seat pocket while you nap or go to the bathroom. I have to admit, I've never even thought of this  ? and I've been on eight flights of at least 17 hours in the last three years. Thanks for the heads up, I'm always alone and do leave to use the bathroom. |
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Post by Woobster on Mar 22, 2016 23:35:31 GMT
We put TSA approved locks on our checked luggage. I never lock my carry-on... But I keep my carry-on under the seat in front of me (never the overhead for me), and I very rarely sleep on the plane.
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bklyngal62
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,227
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Post by bklyngal62 on Mar 22, 2016 23:51:25 GMT
I lock my check in bags with TSA approved locks. My carry on doesn't get locked, I just keep it under the seat in front of me.
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Post by annabella on Mar 22, 2016 23:54:43 GMT
You can't lock your luggage, it's not allowed. I've also noticed it's hard to find hard suitcases without zipper close, hence built in lock. Yes you can, annabella . There are TSA approved locks you can buy that they have a special key to use to open them. I've decided not to buy them. But what is the point of that if they can open it? It's not a lock if it's open. |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Mar 23, 2016 0:08:11 GMT
Yes you can, annabella . There are TSA approved locks you can buy that they have a special key to use to open them. I've decided not to buy them. But what is the point of that if they can open it? It's not a lock if it's open. The point is, you said you can't lock your luggage and you can.  |
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Post by nepean on Mar 23, 2016 0:37:24 GMT
I alway "lock" our suitcases with zip ties, and use nail clippers to clip them open. I want to know before I open the bag if someone has been in there.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Mar 23, 2016 0:43:22 GMT
I use the TSA locks. Mine have been inspected before and they weren't cut open, they just used the key. i bought TSa locks once, usually leave suitcases unlocked but we were goign to Europe and I thought I'd feel more secure this way. These locks were ones I was supposed to be able to select and then set a combination for. Well, I followed the instructions (tiniest font ever) and thankfully locked them when they were not attached to the luggage. COULD NOT OPEN IT. AT. ALL. Actually I only tried this with one of them.. have them sitting here somewhere ready to be taken back to the store... Anyone had luck with these? Yes, the combo ones are all I own-- didn't want to futz with keys. |
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103
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Post by Rainbow on Mar 23, 2016 0:55:10 GMT
I have a TSA lock but have never locked my bags either on US or overseas flights. I have only been checked once, and they cut open the zip loc bag that had three bottles of seizure meds (liquid). Thankfully none of the bottles leaked since they put a hole in the bag to contain a leak!
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Post by KiwiJo on Mar 23, 2016 3:13:37 GMT
So can TSA open and check your bags without you being there?
I've never heard of that, in all the overseas travel I've done.
Our international airports even have a shrink-wrapping service (for a fee of course) where the suitcase is completely wrapped in several layers of shrink-wrapping plastic which ensures no-one can open the bag without cutting through the layers.
Our Customs officers etc can only open a bag if the owner is there.
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Post by katlady on Mar 23, 2016 3:36:51 GMT
So can TSA open and check your bags without you being there? I've never heard of that, in all the overseas travel I've done. Our international airports even have a shrink-wrapping service (for a fee of course) where the suitcase is completely wrapped in several layers of shrink-wrapping plastic which ensures no-one can open the bag without cutting through the layers. Our Customs officers etc can only open a bag if the owner is there. Yes, in the U.S., the TSA can and does open your bags somewhere in the back where you can't see them. They don't open all. I don't know what criteria they use. I've only ever had one bag opened. They leave a note inside that your bag was checked. I know the Honolulu airport makes you send your bags through an xray machine before you check-in, but they are mainly checking for prohibited food items you are trying to take back to the mainland. Most U.S. airports do not scan your checked-in bags in front of you. ETA: I just noticed you mentioned Customs Officers. In the U.S. Customs Officers and TSA are two different operations. Yes, Customs will only open your bag with your standing there, but the TSA is a whole different ballgame. |
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? and I've been on eight flights of at least 17 hours in the last three years. Thanks for the heads up, I'm always alone and do leave to use the bathroom.
