Do you WRAP IT - or DON'T WRAP IT?

[Cruiser Elite]

EDIT: didn't know about pen trick: is the zip repairable? or did CE's suitcase have to die for this demonstration tutorial? A suitcase with a non-functioning zip at the beginning of a trip could be a disaster.

Yes would be an absolute disaster - and if some jerk off behind the scenes wants to get in having a lock on it least of their concerns.

Running the zipper over it will fix it up, and looks exactly the same as before the pen got there.

What he said - unzip then zip up again and all back to normal.

 

[james4321]

Running the zipper over it will fix it up, and looks exactly the same as before the pen got there.

Hence the rationale for wrapping - the wrap completely covers all zips and pockets and although it can be cut open to access the zip, there is no way of concealing the fact that it has been opened. And like any other "security" system the main purpose is to make it too hard to access, so the would be thief will move on to the next -easier - target. Same principle as locks and alarms on your house really.

 

[opusman]

Hence the rationale for wrapping - the wrap completely covers all zips and pockets and although it can be cut open to access the zip, there is no way of concealing the fact that it has been opened.

So it makes it obvious when you get your bag that it's been opened - how does that actually help? Your stuff is still gone.

 

[james4321]

So it makes it obvious when you get your bag that it's been opened - how does that actually help? Your stuff is still gone.

Classic selective misquoting? Read the second sentence of my post.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It doesnt stop the opening, but it cant be closed up again. ie it would be extremely obvious that the case had been opened, so less likely to occur.

bc yes you would be right here in that anybody wanting to cover their tracks by rezipping after illegally accessing your bag would find that difficult to do so if lock / cable ties attached.

So it makes it obvious when you get your bag that it's been opened - how does that actually help? Your stuff is still gone.

I have not read every post in this thread so apologies if already answered - has anybody who has wrapped bags had the wrapping cut away / removed prior to collection at dest?

 

[blackcat20]

Running the zipper over it will fix it up, and looks exactly the same as before the pen got there.

Not true, there will always be a small unzipped spot that cannot be zipped back together.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not true, there will always be a small unzipped spot that cannot be zipped back together.

bc we 'tested' 2 diff bags today - both appear to be zipping perfectly again - initially there appeared slight non-alignment of teeth but after fwd / back with zipper several times all appears honky dory. May well vary zipper to zipper / bag to bag obviously.

 

[coriander]

bc we 'tested' 2 diff bags today - both appear to be zipping perfectly again - initially there appeared slight non-alignment of teeth but after fwd / back with zipper several times all appears honky dory. May well vary zipper to zipper / bag to bag obviously.

So that only works if the zippers are separate? You can't drag the two zips back and forth?

 

[opusman]

Classic selective misquoting? Read the second sentence of my post.

Not really. Your first sentence was, in your own words, "the rationale for wrapping".

 

[james4321]

Not really. Your first sentence was, in your own words, "the rationale for wrapping".

LOL Perhaps I should have put a comma instead of a full stop at the end of the first sentence?

 

[james4321]

bc yes you would be right here in that anybody wanting to cover their tracks by rezipping after illegally accessing your bag would find that difficult to do so if lock / cable ties attached.I have not read every post in this thread so apologies if already answered - has anybody who has wrapped bags had the wrapping cut away / removed prior to collection at dest?

Have wrapped my luggage for many years , never ever had any cut or removed, even in the USA where we have travelled many times. Just see it as a simple inexpensive thing to do, costs a little and provides peace of mind. As I said before it suits me but YMMV.

 

[opusman]

LOL Perhaps I should have put a comma instead of a full stop at the end of the first sentence?

Nope, just be aware of the meaning of what you say.

 

[drron]

Or hope the grammar police don't show up.:shock:

 

[opusman]

Or hope the grammar police don't show up.:shock:

Not grammar police; I quoted the exact sentence as it was posted and got accused of selective misquoting...

 

[drron]

Not grammar police; I quoted the exact sentence as it was posted and got accused of selective misquoting...

I thought all the smilies would indicate mine was just a tongue in cheek reply and not aimed at your reply.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So it makes it obvious when you get your bag that it's been opened - how does that actually help? Your stuff is still gone.

I must admit, I have always been under the impression that wrapping a case is more to identify quickly that someone has accessed it to put something in, rather than take something out.

 

[Milefest]

I must admit, I have always been under the impression that wrapping a case is more to identify quickly that someone has accessed it to put something in, rather than take something out.

Indeed, I've always considered it for higher risk countries.

Never actually gone through with it though, so much trouble for something that is incredibly unlikely and I rarely check in luggage anyway.

I guess it's probably just as likely for someone slip something into your pocket or carry on luggage.

 

[JohnK]

I am a bit confused as to how a lock or cable tie affords much if any protection when a pen will still simply open the zipper if anybody wants to access your bag.

If you use a cable tie between the main zipper pull and the zipper pull of a nearby outside pocket then they can still open the bag with a pen but cannot close the zipper again making it quite obvious the zipper has been opened.

 

[opusman]

If you use a cable tie between the main zipper pull and the zipper pull of a nearby outside pocket then they can still open the bag with a pen but cannot close the zipper again making it quite obvious the zipper has been opened.

Unless they have somehow (through whatever devious means, however unlikely it may be) managed to source their own supply of cable ties.

 

[JohnK]

Unless they have somehow (through whatever devious means, however unlikely it may be) managed to source their own supply of cable ties.

There are cable ties you can purchase with 6 digit serial numbers. Highly unlikely they will have the same make of cable tie unless the thieves are really prepared.