Locking luggage

[jastel]

I use the cheap numbered combo ones...as said it is mainly to stop lazy thieves or having your jocks all over the conveyor belt.
Security will just cut whatever you have off and open it anyway.

Once I was paged airside to go back to security and tell them the combo, most 5 year olds can crack them in 30 seconds.

 

[Ralphie]

We lock our bags with TSA locks and put a luggage strap with a TSA lock on it too. Half because the strap makes it easier to spot in a baggage hall and half because I like to think that two locks is going to put a casual thief off. (Including in hotel rooms. We usually just strap and lock the strap suitcases when in the hotel room.)

 

[Anna]

I used to bother with TSA locks for the US but after the TSA smashed one open so that it became unusable, I now just make sure on US trips that I haven't packed anything in my checked bag that I would be devastated to lose, and leave the bag unlocked.

They are also very careless with smaller items so make sure they are not lying around loose in your bag or they will end up on the floor of some sorting hall and not be put back in your bag as they rummage through it. Luckily I haven't lost anything important this way

 

[Anna]

I seldom even bother to lock my macbook pro , or my camera , or any of the other electronic junk we cart around ...in the safe.

It's happened to me enough times that I've been given a keycard to a room, only to go in and find that it isn't a vacant room and that there is another guest's stuff in it (or to be in my room, when another guest tries to come in using a keycard given to them by reception). It would be easy to pinch something from the room and I doubt there would be any record that I had been in that room (luckily I'm honest and would never pinch anyone's stuff). So it's not just the housekeeping staff to bear in mind, it's errors by reception staff in giving someone else access to your room.

 

[petunia]

We use cable ties. I keep a supply in the outside pocket and ask for a pair of scissors at hotel reception, or at the airport help desk. Have had bags opened and an explanatory note enclosed when exiting USA. I am debating whether I can manage without my laptop on our next RTW in J as it is only 10 weeks and I know it triggers a search. When travelling to Asia we go hand luggage only.

 

[Letspack]

We always use TSA approved combination lock but know only deterrent. We had to open an old lock and nephew worked out combination in no time. Also many programs have shown how it is possible to unzip and rezip suitcase even with a lock on. Not usually worried about what can be lost as use hand luggage for special things, but worry more about what can be added without my knowledge.

 

[takenbyaliens]

It would be easy to pinch something from the room and I doubt there would be any record that I had been in that room (luckily I'm honest and would never pinch anyone's stuff).

Actually most new hotel systems record all room entries as a security measure. It would then be easy to trace the receiver of a similarly coded card provided that it had not been done by a staff member. However the other counter measure are the CCTV cameras around the place.

Re bags in South Arica...20 yrs of travelling across Southern Africa ( SA, Swaziland, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania ) never had a problem. Lock my bags...yes...just as everyone else says, as a deterrent to lazy thieves. Determined ones will get in just about no matter what.

 

[Reise]

Upgraded to clasps after a zipper burst in transit. The new cases came with TSA combo locks built in. Agree that locks keep the opportunists out - from my perspective for that reason alone they are worth it. In terms of locks attracting attention - possibly if the suitcase just has the zipper type but so many suitcases have TSA locks built into them these days that I suggest it is neither here nor there as a generator of attention. I would suggest that the absence of any form of lock would be an attraction to the opportunists.

As an aside, I did pick up the wrong piece of luggage once (brand new suitcase that I hadn't had time to customise) got it home and went to open it - combination lock stopped me and made me realise without intruding into the owners personal space. For me, no question about having a lock now.

As a further aside, for those that are of the view that they don't travel with anything of value - value is a perception - I have worked in places where people steal toilet paper off the roll in cubicles and in this environment even used clothing (including shoes) can be high value commodities - don't underestimate the potential value and more importantly don't underestimate the potential inconvenience if you were to lose it. Try buying large clothing, socks and even underwear in some countries and you will pull your hair out (if you are not already bald!).

 

[PineappleSkip]

Always travel with cheap bags, filled with old clothes never lock them, anything valuable is normally in my ancient carry-on. Cheers skip