Anyone have experience with locked, checked luggage? In recent passed I've avoided locking my checked bag but wonder if anyone has ever had their locked piece snipped by security?

Yes, BEFORE 9/11 my locked luggage was opened by security for some unknown reason. Instead of cutting the lock, they cut the pull! I guess they were teaching me a lesson by damaging the luggage rather than just the lock.

Since 9/11, I never lock checked luggage, but I DO put a cable tie to secure it. Obviously, a cable tie can be cut, but PERHAPS it will slow down a casual baggage handler thief while in the care of the airline.

I DO carry a good combo lock, and lock the luggage while in the hotel room, or anytime it is not being checked, again just to slow down a casual opportunistic thief.

--Marv

Get the SearchAlert TSA-approved locks available from TravelSmith. They have a window that turns from green to red if anyone has opened it.

We used to use our luggage locks, but since that is no longer "permitted" we use plastic ties. My luggage was opened on our return trip from D.C. in spring and a letter telling us it had been opened was inside. Luckily nothing was missing. Apparently a ring of "luggage thieves" was recently arrested and better screening promised for prospective inspectors. Let's hope so!

I use an approved TSA lock and never had a problem..... but..... if you are traveling to Europe there is no TSA there so they may cut your lock if they want to check your luggage.

If you don't use a lock, I use one of those twisty things that come with trach bags and baggies. I have found that they always re-twist it back onto my luggage.

If you use a zip plastic tie and it gets cut off, then you luggage remains unsealed for the rest of the trip.

so as we can no longer 'lock' our luggage, make sure whatever is in your checked baggage, you can actually "loose". All your best stuff is with you in your carryon. My carryon is a tote=purse huge thing...
My luggage was openned and the letter was inside last November '03 on my fllight from Philly to Paris. But, nothing was stolen either.

You can now use the TSA approved locks both at home and abroad without any undo hassles. In both Spain and France, it they want to search your checked luggage, they'll ask you to be present during the search.

We use cable ties. They are just as secure from thieves as the TSA approved locks and cheaper.

I haven't been locking checked bags since the issue came up months ago, and since I read that not all airport staff are even familiar with the TSA decoder rings. I figure that a thief will snip my puny little locks anyway, but I don't want the luggage hardware destroyed if a cable tie offers too much resistance. I just don't pack anything in the bag that's worth much to anyone, not that I'm happy about even official staff going through my undies.

a sincere question:
since the twisty things can be easily taken off and put back on, what is their purpose exactly?

the twisty thing just keeps the zipper from opening. it can also be replaced by the TSA. i have a fear of my worn underwear coming down the belt when my luggage arrives at my destination.

i have no fear of anyone stealing naything beacuse in the past the airlines have always replaced everthing at face value, no questions asked.

We used the TSA-approved locks on our recent trip to France, and on none of the 4 legs was the luggage opened--at least not that we could tell. The locks are good for using on luggage in hotel rooms--they're a bit sturdier than the key varieties and thus harder to force open.

I used cable ties last trip (Seattle-London-Geneva and back). The suitcase was not opened (or they did an incredible job of replacing with exactly the same size little plastic strips I started out with).

Just got back Saturday, from Gatwick. I used the little green, plastic "locks" that you can get on Rick Steve's website. They are in the shape of locks, but can be twisted off without much trouble. Unlike the twisties, they do lock, but are easily broken off. Of course, you can tell if someone opened your luggage, because they cannot be relocked. My luggage was not opened -- coming or going.

Most luggage locks are easily opened in a few seconds by anyone interested in doing so. We just use carbiners to keep the suitcases from coming unzipped accidently. We don't put anything of any real value in our suitcases.

Your suitcase can also be slashed or locks pried open which would damage them, so the answer is don't lock and don't keep valuables(also anything in a bottle that may leak due to turbulance.)

If even the little pulls for opening and closing your luggage are damaged by the TSA or airlines are we able to make a claim for repairs? Has this happened to anyone? Or does a greater amount of damgage have to be perpatrated (Sp?)before one may be compensated?

(I know the airlines are only responsible up to a predetermined amount that sometimes does not cover the value. My travel insurance offers better coverage.)

What are cable ties? Where do you get them?

Cable ties are narrow plastic strips with a sort of loop-slot at one end that lets the other end in and won't let it slide back out when it is pulled tight. They are usually used to hold bunches of electrical wires in one neat bundle. They are available at places such as Home Depot and Staples and come in various sizes.

Thank you!
Anyone have suggestions on how to secure hard-sided luggage without using its built-in locks?

Maureen, I am intending to take hard sided luggage on my next trip, and I am going to use luggage straps and leave the case locks latched but unlocked.