I've never locked my bags and never had a problem...

Until my entire bag disappeared on my way back from Germany last fall. I carried it through customs in Chicago, so I know it made it that far. Upon arrival in Nashville only my smaller suitcase and dog kennel were there. Aa couple of hours/flights later I was called by UA personnel and told that it had arrived in Nashville, they had seen it on the carousel, and they would deliver it to me in the next two hours. An hour later they called to tell me that it was missing. We are talking about a HUGE green suitcase, bought in Korea. I've never seen anything like it. It was full as I was moving back to the states after three years.

Nearly a year later my suitcase has never turned up....

To sum up, locks don't matter if they take the whole bag!

mucky: I know you are kidding - but just in case someone doesn't know that nail clippers are just fine in carryon - they are . . . . .

I just put the two zipper tabs (with holes) together with a LARGE paper chip. It stays that way, and I can get into it easily. Most security people don't like to have suitcases locked, I don't think.
Since most suitcases are black and all look alike, and we sometimes take our 24 inch one which isn't too sturdy, we put a stretchable bright lime green belt around it. That is the one they invaribly open for inspection. We almost always find a paper inserted inside of the luggage that it has been opened for inspection (COMING from Europe") .
My clothes and contents are rarely out of place, which leads me to believe they have a certain quota to fulfill and just open and quickly insert the card.
I've always felt that security "goes for the one that is locked or secured!"
Who knows.
But I guess we should be glad they do their security job.

Yeah just kidding (think), but you know how over zealous these check in staff can be.
;-)

I remember having anything and everything that could have been sharp confiscated, just after 9/11. Only to find Qantas dishing up my food with a lovely metal knife and fork...lol

Muck