Locking Luggage

[Tassey69]

I have a 8yr old "battered" hard shell samsonite that was easily opened when locked, was raided once in LAX not by security but nothing stolen, i then purchased a good quality brightly colored cut proof strap with combo lock and TSA lock several years ago, 2-3 overseas trips per year and no evidence of tampering since then. On my wife's case we padlock the zip handles then cable tie zippers to handle of the case, a preventative that does not allow zipper to be forced undone and re-zipped, ok the cable ties can be cut but it may deter opportunistic thieves and you also know if the case has been tampered with.

 

[vetrade]

We researched new luggage extensively for our last Euro trip a few months ago in the knowledge that most zips can be opened with a biro.
Also saw a youtube video which showed how easy it is to open a TSA lock with a bent paper clip so they didn't give me much confidence
on their own either.
With security a high priority for us we settled on Delsey hard cases with their double security zip.
True to their claims, I found it impossible to force the zipper open even with the benefit of plenty of time and a variety of tools.
As an extra precaution we added a rainbow coloured strap with TSA lock around the outside - which had the added advantage of being
readily visible on the baggage carosel.
For anyone in the market for new luggage I can recommend the Delsey with the serurity zipper - from memory we got 2 X 26" roller hardcases
delivered for under $500 (bought them online) and they had the benefit of being light with 4 very sturdy double wheels as well which made
them a breeze to move around.
On train trips where we had to stow the cases where we couldn't see them we tethered them together to a pole or similar with a cable and TSA lock
and at a couple of hotels we did the same.

 

[cove]

Doesn't it get down to the idea that if a thief wants something he/she can get it.
Sure everyone locks doors and zips up luggage but all to no avail if you get targetted.
I have had my contents of my bag re-arranged a couple of times but no lock I know of would have stopped that.
Just feel happy when you see your bag on the luggage carousel at the other end of your journey.

 

[Storyteller]

Another thing I do more recently is put all my stuff into bags within the suitcase.

Started with just the kitchen ziplock bags to keep different smalls & small things easy to find. Also clothes seem to crease less. Then I started rolling up most of my clothes - it's amazing how easy it is to pack by rolling!! And when I started rolling I used the blue Coles food chill bags. They are light, easy to prepare somewhere else then just pop into the suitcase, and have the added advantage of a zip.

Started for ease of packing & reducing creasing. Then I realized the security advantage..
I lie them on their side with the zip down & away from the opening of the suitcase. It makes it harder for someone to quickly lift the lid an inch & slide their hand around feeling for something of interest. And this would be after they have removed the strap. And either broken through the zip or popped the catch.

 

[serfty]

I don't even use ziplock bags - simple plastic shopping bags are good travel pal's. (Even if I don't check luggage.)

 

[jgm]

At least with a locked bag, you can tell if the zip has been forced.

 

[Stephen65]

I haven't bothered locking my check-in luggage for at least a decade. To my mind putting a lock on it signals to thieves (ie baggage handlers) that there may be something worth stealing in the luggage. I carry anything value aboard.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Every time we travel as a family my eldest daughter has always lost, misplaced or broken the lock on her soft-sided suitcase. It usually leaves ex-SYD without a lock and comes back with a new one purchased at destination. Our other 2-3 cases go locked. No pilfering from either locked or unlocked suitcases on any of those trips. The only time my suitcase has been stolen from was when Shrek and I went from MUC-AMS-GLA and both cases went missing at AMS. My locked case turned up 24hrs later with the lock missing and perfume and jewellery gone, now I carry on/wear the jewels

 

[james4321]

At least with a locked bag, you can tell if the zip has been forced.

How? What difference does a lock make? If you watch the video referred to earlier the bag simply gets rezipped, so how do you know?

 

[blu]

Thanks, some good suggestions (& I forgot about the cable ties).
Will be staying in Paris too, so have bought some Pacsafe items as well for daily use.

 

[Sprucegoose]

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.

Nothing worth knocking off. I wouldn't worry too much.

JNB different story. Wire mesh.

 

[james4321]

Nothing worth knocking off. I wouldn't worry too much.

Ok. So you know there's nothing worth knocking off... but the potential tamperer doesn't. So by not bothering to secure your luggage you are effectively saying "feel free ... I dont mind if someone opens it and goes through it", because you know they wont find anything worth stealing? You are happy for some stranger to rustle through your clothes etc? Really? Is that the way you want to start your holiday/business trip?

 

[Storyteller]

Every time we travel as a family my eldest daughter has always lost, misplaced or broken the lock on her soft-sided suitcase. It usually leaves ex-SYD without a lock and comes back with a new one purchased at destination. Our other 2-3 cases go locked. No pilfering from either locked or unlocked suitcases on any of those trips. The only time my suitcase has been stolen from was when Shrek and I went from MUC-AMS-GLA and both cases went missing at AMS. My locked case turned up 24hrs later with the lock missing and perfume and jewellery gone, now I carry on/wear the jewels

Agh
shame about the jewels.
MUC knows where bags are every 10 seconds or so from bag check. (did a baggage handling tour on the SMD3).
As you suggest, I wear valuables , or I don't take them. It's tough in some parts of the world (Africa) where wearing things would make me a target, so have to leave my nice watch at home & wear the $5 Tarjey one.

 

[anat0l]

I have a simple key padlock ("TSA compliant") that I use on my zippered luggage, which is nothing special.

Like others, it's simply a deterrent for opportunistic thieves. Any thief can open luggage easily either with a pen or a carpet knife, though there's not much one can do against that.

Also, as mentioned, any insurer will immediately throw out a theft claim if you can't put forward evidence on your part to attempt to secure your belongings.

 

[samiam]

If my bag was ever broken into (which it hasn't been), there would be little of value in there...shoes & clothes... hopefully they steal my undies...

... it might encourage me to buy some new ones.

 

[cove]

Jewellery or cash and anything super smallish and valuable should be in your carry on bag. Shoes and clothes and the kitchen sink can be replaced when your bag is stolen/lost/misplaced/broken into pieces.

 

[jgm]

How? What difference does a lock make? If you watch the video referred to earlier the bag simply gets rezipped, so how do you know?

Sorry, didn't make myself clear. I don't just lock the zip tags together, I also include at least one extra point which has either limited or no movement. With most of my luggage, this is just a zip on an outside pocket. There is no way you can fully open the case without it showing.

 

[medhead]

How? What difference does a lock make? If you watch the video referred to earlier the bag simply gets rezipped, so how do you know?

As I have already stated, the last few teeth at the fixed end will never mesh again if the zip is forced open. Easy to see with close inspection.


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

 

[Hvr]

As with other posters if I cannot afford to lose it I carry it with me. However, I always lock my case. Whilst it may be of minimal use in preventing a determined thief at least I will probably know if my bag has been interfered with upon collection.

 

[k_sheep]

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.

I do this when flying internationally, using coloured ties so it's easy to tell if someone has tried to replace the tie (not many will have blue/red/green ties lying around!). Moreso I do it when on busses where I can't see who might be rifling around there when parked.

Only use locks when I'm in a hostel. And have to be combination ones because I am a world leading expert on losing keys.

It's not about being untouchable - it's about being a harder target than the guy next door.