Do I lock my suitcase?

Old Jan 23rd, 2002, 03:02 PM
  #1  
pat
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Do I lock my suitcase?

I fly from Reno to Lax to Sydney to Auckland. I know they may look through my suitcase in Reno. I plan on checking it all the way to Auckland. (American Airlines will do this with Qantas.) Am I safe locking my suitcase after it is checked in Reno? Or should I leave it unlocked for all the flights?
 
Old Jan 23rd, 2002, 04:24 PM
  #2  
Mel
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Pat, I just got back from a trip and we locked our suitcases but had a key to open them handy. That was what the airline suggested. You should always lock your suitcases. If they look inside, they will do so with you present.
 
Old Jan 23rd, 2002, 07:29 PM
  #3  
pat
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The reason I asked this question is because someone I spoke with at AA said I would be better off not locking it, because if there was a problem somewhere along the line, they would have to cut my lock off. I don`t feel comfortable not locking it, however. I think I will lock it after it checked over in Reno. Thank you for your response.
 
Old Jan 24th, 2002, 09:06 AM
  #4  
Dave
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It is best to lock it. My 2 suitcases were opened in the Prague airport and money was taken. Since then, not only do I lock them, but I use a green strap, which helps in identification, and will able it to be secured if the lock is taken off or if it is ripped off by accident (which happened one time).
 
Old Jan 29th, 2002, 10:16 PM
  #5  
Daphne
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We missed a connection at Heathrow and our bags came home 2 days later on Air New Zealand. The locks had been opened but nothing was taken. Because we weren't on the plane with our luggage it had to be done.
 
Old Jan 30th, 2002, 03:53 AM
  #6  
xman
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May I suggest steel reinforced lock ties. Similar to what the police use as temporary handcuffs. They can be cut with a good set of wire cutters, but then you know someone was in your belongings. I carry a couple extra in my carry on so I can replace them myself when necessary.

Did that going to Paris, and coming back during the week of 09/11 and had no problems with security.
 
Old Feb 12th, 2002, 08:43 AM
  #7  
vicki
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I went with a group of people on a flight and everyone who locked their suitcase had a problem. One lock was gone and the other was damaged to the point that we had to have it cut off with a hacksaw at the hotel. The unlocked suitcases didn't seem to have been tampered with. Now I use plastic cable ties. They are really cheap, I can carry spares in my pocket, they don't set off metal detectors and they can be cut with a pair of fingernail clippers (which I keep in an outside zipper compartment right on the suitcase) once you get to your destination. If they have been tampered with it is easy to tell that someone got into your bag and you can check it immmediately for missing items.
 
Old Feb 13th, 2002, 10:28 AM
  #8  
Dave
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Vicki - My experience was just the opposite. I went with a group of 23 people. The eight unlocked suitcases were gone through and some things taken. The locked ones were left alone. I guess you never know.
 
Old Feb 14th, 2002, 05:50 AM
  #9  
Jay
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We recently flew on Continental from Cleveland, and at check-in were told to remove all locks from suitcases. We had no choice..they were making everyone do the same.

I don't know whether this prodedure is only being followed by certain airlines, or just at random. Coming back from Dallas, nothing was said about the locks.
 
Old Feb 14th, 2002, 09:12 AM
  #10  
Cem
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Jay: I think it must have been an Airline Policy. I have been traveling for 10 years now, and everytime I got on a plane, I locked my suitcases, and nobody had an opposition for that. Well I guess things differ.
 

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