For Michael, I understand your sentiments about your knife. That's why I don't take anything except clothing and shoes in my suitcase these days.

I've used hardware store cable ties (cheap!!) with no problem, but I don't pack much of interest in checked baggage. If I had anything that I was worried about, I might get those numbered plastic fasteners from Travelsmith or Magellan. They are more expensive, but since they are numbered, you have evidence that the bag was indeed opened.

I was told by a security person that the inspectors do indeed have cableties, and will put them on a bag if they have to cut the ones you placed there off. So in this case you might not have any evidence that the bag was opened.

To continue, a heavy suitcase will not only give you backache but it will also change your disposition! Believe me, it's happened to us.

The first time we traveled after the luggage locking rules changed, I bought the little cable ties. Now I just ask the guys at the airport to do it .. there has never been a problem. Just remember the nail clippers to get them off! I keep those in a little ziplock bag in one of the outside pockets .

Oh..my...gosh...!

These special plastic bags are incredible!!

I know, I know...doen't use this for an excuse to pack MORE ;)

HOWEVER, They are allowing me to be much neater and they have enabled me to figure out my priorities as to what to pack in my carry on and what to put in the main suitcase. (It is only a 22 incher.) (Not very deep these things.)

I just keep thinking to myself...if the bag and contents go missing what would I be the most annoyed at loosing?

So now I put the travel hairdryer and travel iron in my little carry-on along with at least 1 entire change of clothes. In the same bag will go the make-up and other toiletries, as well as the pocketbook section for tickets and etc.

I will use the back-pack for the travel books, pens, assorted other little items and my regular pocketbook.

I have to walk around the house for a bit with these 3 bags to get an idea as to if I have over done it.

So now it looks like I will only have these three bags :)

Suze--since we try to picnic our way through Europe, a knife is essential.

ddgatina--the cable ties of TSA are identifiable as such.

Michael, Me too! But lately I pick up an inexpensive knife when I'm there and leave it behind. Sadly, my wonderful Swiss army knife stays safely at home.

PLMN- you never told us how much your suitcase weighs after you borrowed a scale yesterday??

Also I'm not sure about taking electrical stuff thru security & airport x-rays... anyone else know?

I bought some TSA combinationa locks that have a red/green window on them. If someone has gotten into the lock, it turns red. You can return it to green yourself. TSA is supposed to leave a note but obviously they don't always do it. I always check the red/green window when I pick up the baggage. Have never had red, but if I did I would certainly check for a TSA note and then report it if one is missing. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I got the locks, but it was through an Internet search.

Hi suze, haven't gotten to the scale yet. I still plan on it.

But I asked my husband what he thought it weighed and he tried to guess. He said if he could bench press it or jerk it over his head it should be okay. He did it and said he thought it was no more than 45 pounds.

I REALLY need to get that scale :)

I'll let you know, I'm curious myself.

Okay suze.

I bought the scale and the news is good: only 31 pounds so far! Amazing how hard it is to judge weight. We won't go into how much I weighed :(

(I also weighed one of the carry-ons and it was 13.5 pounds. I only have some make-up left to pack in it.)

Thanks for the update. I wish I had actually weighed my own too-heavy suitcase from my trip last month, so I'd have a self-imposed limit for the future!

Topping the locks thread. People do use the TSA-approved locks with mixed results. And new reports on this?

Topping this again. I travel to AMS on Monday and it seems after reading these threads that using TSA locks (or even any other) is just a crapshoot as far as protecting your stuff. Should I even bother?

I wouldn't put anything valuable in a checked bag, period. If you do this correctly, you won't have any bags to check, in my opinion.

for aggiemom

I consider my suitcase an "open book" so to speak. I never put anything valuable in it. I use a twist tie or plastic cable threaded device only to keep zippers from popping open.

Robespierre, people check the luggage in for different reasons. For example, sprays are not allowed as carry-ons.

What if a woman absolutely can't manage her hair without it, and the flight lands in the evening when it's no time to buy it?

Well, I'm not going to bother. I read an Op-Ed piece in the NY Times about theft from locked bags by TSA personnel, so to me, it's just calling attention to your bag, which they're going to look through if they want to anyway. But that's just my opinion...you have to decide for yourself.