Do you think luggage locks are neccessary for train travel?
Jun 22nd, 2010, 09:06 AM
#25
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I don't keep anything that valuable in my suitcase. I've never locked it. Maybe a would be theif would be tempted if they saw a lock. Of course, one look at my suitcase and the would be theif would laugh and not waste his time.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 10:52 AM
#28
My recollection is that the luggage rack is very close to the bottom of the staircase leading up to the upper level. Right by the door to the train. Depending on the season and number of passengers (should be high at this time of year), often the racks are full of luggage, meaning that you are either forced to drag the suitcase up a flight of narrow stairs (not pretty) or move the suitcase to the end of another car where there is free space. For that reason, it's always best to get to the station well ahead of time, locate where your car will be along the platform, and try and be one of the first on, so you can have the space.
As for locks, I've seen them a number of times and don't think they're a bad idea, especially if you're on the upper deck. It's a lot better than being paranoid and having to run down the steps every time you come into a station (and I've seen people, including myself do this!).
As for locks, I've seen them a number of times and don't think they're a bad idea, especially if you're on the upper deck. It's a lot better than being paranoid and having to run down the steps every time you come into a station (and I've seen people, including myself do this!).
Jun 22nd, 2010, 11:18 AM
#29
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Rather than debate this issue too much prior to your trip, I suggest buying a luggage cable lock (similar in theory to a bike lock, but much thinner cable-very light/small to carry), just to have in case you feel it necessary at some point during your trip. I bought mine as a last minute purchase at O'Hare (Eagle Creek brand), so I'd have it in case I felt the need for it. In my 2 month solo trip w/ lots of train travel I believe I only used it once and that was on an overnight train (I locked my luggage prior to heading to the club car just to be safe). Otherwise, I put luggage (not laptop case, passport, etc.), at the end of the car where I was facing it so I could keep an eye on it at stops. And I think I usually tried to go to the bathroom or the club car when I knew the train wasn't going to be stopping for a while. That's not to say I didn't fall asleep sometimes or ignore it altogether. It's all a crapshoot anyway...someone with cable cutters might target your bag thinking it's valuable since it's locked up, but another thief might bypass it for taking to much time to deal with.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 11:46 AM
#30
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I am pretty sure I posted about the luggage tossing on here not long after it happened. I am thinking now it was in the South but I can't remember now. I was standing by my luggage deciding if I should leave it or not when teens ran down the platform, one guy jumped on, took a quick overview of the luggage pile and grabbed two, gave me a furtive glance and quickly tossed them to his friends. They all ran off with the luggage. It sure didn't look like they had forgotten their luggage and came back for it. So now you have heard of it happening. I have no reason to make up an incident.
On the few times when I have been wary I put on a bicycle chain and then keep tract of one or two stops before mine, unlock it and get read to jump off. I realize it would be stressful if not impossible to do this at the last minute.
Another time on the late train to Assisi I saw a man grab a girl's purse and jump off the train. Then there was the time a man ran through the rail car before taking off his clothes.
My friend was assaulted during a free for all of getting on the train in Rome, she was still rolling her luggage to the seat.
On the few times when I have been wary I put on a bicycle chain and then keep tract of one or two stops before mine, unlock it and get read to jump off. I realize it would be stressful if not impossible to do this at the last minute.
Another time on the late train to Assisi I saw a man grab a girl's purse and jump off the train. Then there was the time a man ran through the rail car before taking off his clothes.
My friend was assaulted during a free for all of getting on the train in Rome, she was still rolling her luggage to the seat.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 12:39 PM
#31
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I've always used a lock for my train travels, no matter where I am in the world. I use it only to make me feel more secure in that no one can rummage through my bag very easily, they'd have to break either the bag or the lock first.
Otherwise, if they want the bag badly, they will. Lock or not.
Otherwise, if they want the bag badly, they will. Lock or not.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 01:10 PM
#32
You seem to be worried about your luggage so again I advise you to take a 21" bag for ease of travel( and carry it on too). It would fit in the overhead rack above your train seat and then you can relax. You don't need to pack any more for three weeks than for one week.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 01:11 PM
#33
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SeaUrchin,
I don't think you are making up the incident, I'm just unclear what happened, and it would be interesting o know where you were. Are you sure it was Italy? (I just read your Italian trip report, no mention of it.) So you had just gotten onto a train? Is that why you were standing by your luggage, deciding whether you would leave it? Did you leave it?
I'm not surprised people get their purses snatched off trains when they are in the station. I am surprised anybody would bother to steal luggage.
As for the guy running through the rail car before taking off his clothes, sounded like he was just crazy. I've encountered crazy people on the trains, but it's never made me want to chain my luggage to the racks.
I don't think you are making up the incident, I'm just unclear what happened, and it would be interesting o know where you were. Are you sure it was Italy? (I just read your Italian trip report, no mention of it.) So you had just gotten onto a train? Is that why you were standing by your luggage, deciding whether you would leave it? Did you leave it?
I'm not surprised people get their purses snatched off trains when they are in the station. I am surprised anybody would bother to steal luggage.
As for the guy running through the rail car before taking off his clothes, sounded like he was just crazy. I've encountered crazy people on the trains, but it's never made me want to chain my luggage to the racks.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 04:21 PM
#34
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I have so many trip reports that have disappeared, are not listed in my profile or have just sunk so low that they are hard to search out. I know I have the reports around here somewhere, maybe next week I will really take the time and maybe notify the ed's that so many are missing. I have a list somewhere....
I know it was Italy. I haven't really had strange experiences in other places (on trains).
On the day I saw the guys jump on, I was thinking of putting my luggage in a better position. I can't remember if I locked mine or just made a note to watch them. I am not overly cautious but if someone is concerned and asking I would tell them to take a lock in case they want to use it. I do know Italians who live in Italy who are very very cautious, suspicious and not trustful of any stranger. I don't think they would even put their luggage out of sight, but, too, they travel with high end luggage, which screams out. It takes all kinds, all around the world, as you probably know.
Yes, I wasn't afraid the nekked guy would take my luggage, it was just amusing.
I know it was Italy. I haven't really had strange experiences in other places (on trains).
On the day I saw the guys jump on, I was thinking of putting my luggage in a better position. I can't remember if I locked mine or just made a note to watch them. I am not overly cautious but if someone is concerned and asking I would tell them to take a lock in case they want to use it. I do know Italians who live in Italy who are very very cautious, suspicious and not trustful of any stranger. I don't think they would even put their luggage out of sight, but, too, they travel with high end luggage, which screams out. It takes all kinds, all around the world, as you probably know.
Yes, I wasn't afraid the nekked guy would take my luggage, it was just amusing.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 07:04 PM
#37
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My recommendation - get a thin cable lock and small padlock. Maybe you use it, maybe you don't. And if you are travelling as a couple, you can lock your bags together. Costs only a few bucks, and might give some peace of mind.
Jun 24th, 2010, 04:41 AM
#39
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I don't see anything wrong with securing your luggage. A lock doesn't weigh much or take up room. Suitcases do sometimes open accidently when a zipper or latch gets caught on something, so a lock of some sort could help prevent accidental openings as well.
