Luggage Locks??

MaXXimus

MaXXimus

New Member
Ok I was in the store the other day and bought TSA approved locks... came home... ripped them open... set them to a combination I would remember and then :cry: . They were not the TSA approved locks I was looking at, in hast I grabbed the wrong ones :cry: .

Anyway... who uses locks and what are your thoughts on using zipties? Or should I just say #$%^ it and let my luggage go naked :shrug:
 
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Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
MaXXimus said:
Ok I was in the store the other day and bought TSA approved locks... came home... ripped them open... set them to a combination I would remember and then :cry: . They were not the TSA approved locks I was looking at, in hast I grabbed the wrong ones :cry: .

Anyway... who uses locks and what are your thoughts on using zipties? Or should I just say #$%^ it and let my luggage go naked :shrug:
Click to expand...
I no longer lock my luggage, but i also never put anything of value in luggage that I check.

A funny story about that though - last May my family went to WDW for a long weekend. When I was packing up to go home, I took everything out of DH's suitcase and put the laundry bag with all our smelly clothes in that, and put the remaining clean clothes and souvenirs in my suitcase. I normally pack a few dryer sheets when I do this, but I had forgot to bring them, so the suitcase really smelled pretty bad. When we got home and retrieved our luggage, there was a note inside from TSA that they had opened that suitcase for further inspection. How'd you like that job?!!!!
 
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Unplugged

Unplugged

Well-Known Member
I travel all the time for business, so I'll share my opinion and notes in hopes that they help. (Lot's of things you most likely already know for other readers as well.)

Facts
  • Some airports still require you drop off your bags yourself with TSA for screening. (O'hare for example)
  • If you use locks, the TSA agent will typically ask you to remove them just in case and note that "if you leave them and we need to check your bag, they will be cut off".
  • In general, should the TSA needs to check your bag by hand, they'll cut anything (lock, zip tie, etc) on the bag.
Opinions
When I travel on business, I never use any locks or ties. Too much trouble considering the luggage only has the bare requirements in it and it's never out of my control.

On personal travel, We use flimsy little zip ties (you don't need much to keep zippers closed).
  • The best reason for this is that larger bags have lots of external compartments. Since the bags get tossed around quite a bit, the ties help keep the compartments closed.
  • Also, it's easy for TSA to get through and as an added bonus, we know if someone has been in the luggage and where (TSA @ airport, hotel, etc.).
  • We use scissors at the check in desk to only cut the primary ties. Once in, you can access toiletries with a nail trimmer to get the others if need be.
Hope this helps.
 
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jjgoo

jjgoo

Member
Unplugged makes some really good points and suggestions.

Here is my opinion/ideas.
1. I don't put anything of "real" vlaue into my suitcase. Never mind my belongings being stolen they could get lost. So camera, jewelry, tickets, money, medicine all come with me.

2. If you are worried about things getting stolen even before all the security, a thief in the airport or baggage handling would know how to open most locks with no problem and no evidence of it. I just do like I always have and try to keep, at the very least, a little bit of a mental inventory if not an actual list. It is always a good idea to snap a digital picture of your luggage before it leaves your hands.

3. Like the zip ties that Unplugged suggested I use something even more basic. I use a metal twist-tie. They are easy to take a bunch with you, if you wrap them around the lock hole a few times they keep the zippers closed very nicely and they are very easy to remove for either you or TSA.

So to sum it up, I think a lock these days is just a waste of money.

Have fun on your trip.:wave:
 
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slappy magoo

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
You know, Maxx, I've been reading all your posts bout your trip since you first joined the forum. I've come to the conclusion that you worry about this trip too much. You should stay home. Seriously. I'll take your trip for you. It's the least I can do, you shouldn't have to shoulder this burden...




























































:ROFLOL:
 
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coltow

coltow

Well-Known Member
I had my lock cut off awhile back on a trip to Vegas and my nicely packed bag wasn't nicely packed back. My own theory is that TSA may be more inclined to check a bag with a lock on it than one without. I now just tie the zippers closed with a shoelace. I don't want to send my bag through "naked" in case it opens accidentally, at least a shoelace will keep it closed and is easy to take off both for TSA & for you when you get to the hotel.
 
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smk

smk

Well-Known Member
IF you use a TSA approved lock on a checked bag there is no reason for the lock to be cut off. I travel by air quite a lot and I have never had my TSA approved lock cut off but have had my checked luggage searched and a note left inside. If you want a new TSA lock, buy one at the airport before you leave and place it on the checked bag. Have a good trip!
 
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tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
We no longer lock our luggage, just don't put anything of value/cannot be replaced quickly in there.

To be honest, I put my camera charger/dock in my bag (in the original box so they could see what it was) and it was inspected, but not moved from its spot. Don't put any medication, electronics, etc in there... take them with you in your carry on, but be careful. Lil'Mermaid had her new camera broken by the TSA when they threw her bag. :mad:
 
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MaXXimus

MaXXimus

New Member
Original Poster
slappy magoo said:
You know, Maxx, I've been reading all your posts bout your trip since you first joined the forum. I've come to the conclusion that you worry about this trip too much. You should stay home. Seriously. I'll take your trip for you. It's the least I can do, you shouldn't have to shoulder this burden...
Click to expand...

LOL!!! Ok :eek:

But seriously, I know come off as a worry wort or something, but it really comes down that this is like an extra special trip for me and just want things to go as smoothly as possible.

Special Reason #1: My dad passing is what made this trip possible (Thanks mom)

Special Reason #2: My wife and kids have never been to WDW, matter of fact I dont think they have been to anyplace as special as WDW, unless ya wanna count the Jersey Shore as "special"? :lol:

Special Reason #3: It's WDW !!!! :D



EDIT: Slappy, are you silently stalking me? LMAO J/K
 
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Rob562

Rob562

Well-Known Member
smk said:
IF you use a TSA approved lock on a checked bag there is no reason for the lock to be cut off. I travel by air quite a lot and I have never had my TSA approved lock cut off but have had my checked luggage searched and a note left inside. If you want a new TSA lock, buy one at the airport before you leave and place it on the checked bag. Have a good trip!
Click to expand...

Like others have mentioned, I usually use a twist-tie from a loaf of bread to keep the zipper pulls from coming apart in-transit. Though i've started looking into a TSA-approved locks with my upcoming trip that'll include the DME service. (Hey, you never know)

I know that most (if not all) manufacturers of the TSA-approved locks say that if the lock is cut off it will be replaced for free. (I've heard stories on here that at one airport it was cut off because the only set of keys to open it wasn't immediately available. And a friend who's a former TSA employee assured me that only the TSA has access to the keys, not airline or other baggage handlers) The combo locks are only about $8 at Target, so I think I'll be getting one. (I've also seen a version that trips an indicator from green to red to indicate that the TSA override key was used to open the bag)

-Rob
 
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MaXXimus

MaXXimus

New Member
Original Poster
DiZZneyPriCeSS said:
The Jersey Shore is to SPECIAL!!! LOL!!! I am partial to it cause I've been going since I was a kid:p
Click to expand...

I only go to the Jersey Shore to do some crabbing, havent spent an overnight there in many years. Its not a bad place but Im thinking of testing Ocean City Maryland out before the summer is out... I have heard many a good thing about it and its boardwalk.
 
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barbara

barbara

New Member
I work for TSA, and it doesn't matter what you use, zip ties or TSA locks, both work good. Just don't put anything of value in your bags, the airlines take then from us, and they are the ones that throw your bags around. or your more than likely to have a overweight bag on top of you bags, with another 4-5 on top of that. It it can break don't put it in a checked bag.
 
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PigletIsMyCat

PigletIsMyCat

Well-Known Member
I have never locked, twist tied, or zip tied my zippers together - EVER. I have never had a bag open in transit. I have had the lovely experience of the TSA basically going through my bags practically every time I've traveled since 9/11. I can't see how a well made bag with zippers in working order would open and spill it's contents. I wouldn't worry that much about it.

But I never EVER pack anything worth too much in my checked luggage. It's all clothes, clothes, toiletries, and clothes. Money, jewelry, ID, cell phones and chargers, cameras and camcorders, pins all get carried on with me. Breakables either get shoved in my carryon or shipped - a small price for peace of mind.
 
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mkt

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
I've given up on locks... no matter if I use a TSA approved lock or not, both kinds have been cut off :rolleyes:

THANKS KIP!
 
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