Locking Luggage

[blu]

Not having a hardshell case with inbuilt TSA lock, I have never bothered to lock our luggage.
Is it worth locking the zippers on the standard type bag when checking in (SYD-LHR).
Any attractive items would be in our carryon bag.

 

[TheInsider]

If anyone really wanted to get into a suitcase all they need is a pen, and no amount of locks can stop it!

 

[cove]

Try a BIC biro point on the middle of the closed zipper and the bag zip will pull open.
I would never bother to lock a bag!

 

[medhead]

So we are going to have the bic biro crowd chip in and tell you how easy it is to get into a bag. However, to some extent this misses the point. Locks are there to deter (NB I did not say stop) the opportunisic thief. IF I was into stealling things and I saw 2 bags next to each other, one with lock and the other without, I would open the one without a lock first before I started stuffing around with biros.

So I reckon it's worth it, just to make someone work for whatever they might get from your bag.

Of course, by the same token a lock also says take me my owner thinks I'm valuable. But still opportunisic theft who is just having look on the off chance there is something worth taking - I think a lock is a good deterent.

 

[munitalP]

Actually, I have tried the biro trick, it's no picnic to open the case. Urban myth kind of, at least as far as timing...


Sent using a fire, green leaves and blanket creating smoke signals.

 

[gem gem]

I don't have a hard shell case but always lock mine. I know it can still beopen it but it makes me feel better knowing that I have locked my case.

 

[cove]

I have always thought a thief would just take the whole bag.

 

[medhead]

I have always thought a thief would just take the whole bag.

Indeed, I would think that required a bit more planning and experience with this sort of thing. Really not much can be done to prevent someone with a plan.

 

[kpc]

I use a lock for 2 reasons: 1) deter an opportunistic thief 2) deter someone quickly placing "something" in my bag temporarily.

 

[TheInsider]

2) deter someone quickly placing "something" in my bag temporarily.

Like Schapelle Corby?!

 

[serfty]

Actually, I have tried the biro trick, it's no picnic to open the case. Urban myth kind of, at least as far as timing....

Would not call it an urban myth at all.

It can be done: How to open a locked zippered luggage bag - YouTube

Indeed, I would think that required a bit more planning and experience with this sort of thing. Really not much can be done to prevent someone with a plan.

If you have enough practice:

Open A Locked Suitcase Without Leaving [much of] A Trace | Lifehacker Australia

 

[medhead]

If you have enough practice:

Open A Locked Suitcase Without Leaving [much of] A Trace | Lifehacker Australia

A plan and experience are not what a lock will deter.

I have to take issue with the title of that video. It is always possible to tell a zip that has been pulled apart as the last few teeth at the fixed end will never mesh again.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app so please excuse the lack of links.

 

[turtlemichael]

No locking by me. Most of my stuff I hope will be pinched.

 

[Storyteller]

A concierge in Africa showed me how to open a zippered bag in about .1 second. The teeth are never quite the same again. I always use a TSA lock anyway. And a strap around the bag. The strap would do a bit to obstruct anyone trying to run their hand through a broken zipper.

With my hard shell Samsonite that has an old fashioned combination on it, if I am going to the US I leave it unlocked, but again have a strap around the suitcase. It would be very visible as well as take too long for someone to try to riffle through this in transit. They'll try other bags before mine.

There are 2 times when my bags are at most risk - in transit - see above, and in my hotel.
Whenever I'm out of my room, my bags are locked, and my valuables are on me or in a safe.

 

[Fantic125]

pax: "Hi, I would like to make an insurance claim on item x, x, x, x stolen from my luggage on my trip from x to y."

Insurance company: "OK, was the luggage secured?"

pax: "What do you mean, secured?"

IC: "Secured? Ah, locked?"

pax: "Oh no, I don't bother with that because anyone with a bic pen can open it."

IC: (roll's eyes)

So why bother locking your car, when anyone with a coat hanger or blue strapping tape can open it?

Why bother locking your house?

Most people wouldn't dream of not locking their house or car if they were leaving it out of sight. Why would luggage be any different?

 

[james4321]

The pen in the zip definitely works for soft cover luggage, so for those I always use the shrink plastic wrapping service at the airport. The only way into that is to cut it, and if that happens you can see it has been done. Not totally foolproof and of course wont stop a thief with a plan, but neither does locking your car or your house. What it does do is makes it (too) hard for an opportunist who as said previously will pick an easier target. At $10 - peanuts in context of the trip cost - I think its cheap peace of mind.

 

[tuapekastar]

I generally choose to lock checked luggage (when I can find the damned locks :evil, but on occasions have not bothered. I have travelled to NZ and ADL this year without locking checked luggage, and although I had a lock at the time, did not even bother in the LOTFAP last year. Nothing I cannot afford to lose goes into the checked luggage, locked or otherwise. Storyteller makes a good point though...in hotel rooms, if a safe is not available my valuables do go into the large case which is then locked. Not perfect, but it does in the circumstances, and if I say carry my passport on my person, I reckon I've got more chance of losing it that way than having it knocked off from my locked case in my hotel room.

 

[serfty]

If I'm checking luggage, it's because SWMBO is travelling with me.

NM put a good tip on this forum many posts ago - use cable ties to join the zips and also loop them so they can't move.

Put some small nippers in an accessible outside pocket to enable easy cutting at yon destination.

 

[harvyk]

Only have soft cases, but I still lock them, if nothing else to stop the bag from been opened by accident during loading / unloading.

I know that if someone wants to get into the bag they could easily...

 

[drron]

Of course if you overpack TSA locks are a tad useless-