I very much like this idea which has been mentioned here. It's a modest discouragement to behind-the-scenes theft, and it lets you know if your bag has been opened by anyone. One question: what can I put in my carry-on to easily remove the tie, and which will not be confiscated domestically (US) or internationally (mainly Europe, but sometimes Asia)? Thanks.

Use a decent size nail clipper. But maybe you should use TSA approved locks- more security. We have used them in the past and they have worked very well.

I've done this and I put a small scissors or nail clippers in one of the small front pocket of the checked bag.

Since you are not allowed to lock your luggage on flights to and from the US all a riptie would prove is that someone searched your bag, be it a TSA agent or a baggage thief.
Use TSA approved locks instead.
If you do want to go the riptie route then you are allowed to carry a small pair of needlework scissors nowadays.

The Container Store sells packages of ties in different colors and sizes; in the package is a tiny nail clipper-type device.

hetismij: Is not locking your luggage a new policy?

I always use cable ties on my luggage and did so flying through the States in November. On the flight down they were intact when I picked up my luggage. On the way home one was opened (the other wasn't) and had a TSA notice in it that they were the ones who had opened my luggage.

In Rio de Janeiro, when you check your bags, if you don't have them locked, they will put cable ties on them for you. This is for all flights including to the US as well.

As per the OP, as others have mentioned, I keep a pair of nail clippers in a small (unlocked) pocket on the front of my bag.

Its a little harder for someone to open a luggage with the TSA approved luggage locks than it is for those ties. And for that reason I opt for the TSA approved luggage locks.

<<Since you are not allowed to lock your luggage on flights to and from the US

When did this go into effect?

Granted, I only fly in/out of the US in the summer and going TO the US there is nothing of significance in my bags (usually, just bags stuffed within bags to reduce the number).

But leaving the US I usually have 6-8 bags/suitcases, a couple of large boxes, and an ice chest. And my bags are always locked (with TSA locks).

I stand by the x-ray machine that the bags go thru before disappearing into the depths of the airport, and on the rare occasion they need to open a bag - they ask me to do it. Then we lock it back up again and the bags are off on their way.

In 7 years of overseas living, I have never had a lock "sawed" off.

Note if you are using TSA locks its a good idea to take 1 or 2 extra along. Its rare but it does happen that sometimes the locks are not put back on- or they get knocked off.
This way if it does happen to you - you have a spare to use.

This has happend to me and luckily I took a spare along and had to use it coming back.

Also its good to have these locks in that you should lock your luggage
when leaving your hotel room for the day. We put any valuables that we are not putting in the safe or taking with us in our luggage and lock it up.

There is no rule against using locks, but if TSA wants to inspect the contents it will open the bag any way it can. With a TSA approved lock or cable tie, there's no damage (usually). If your bag has a regualr lock and is selected, the lock will be destroyed.

Ok it's not a rule, but without TSA locks they can and will break into your case if they want to. So better not to lock it, or use TSA locks. Ripties will be cut by them and any locked cases forced.
KLM states that you should not lock your cases to or from the US.

I use plastic cable ties for my checked luggage, and put small nail clippers in an outside zippered pocket that does not have a cable tie closing it.

Are you trying to travel with only carry-on? Why do the clipers need to be in your carry-on?

TSA is an agency of the United States government.

So why would you use TSA locks traveling around Europe?

I do not expect airport authorities outside the US to have the TSA keys, so I always use cable ties and keep a Swiss army knife or nail clipper in an outside pocket of the checked bag.

You don't need TSA locks travlleing within Europe, just to and from the US, and then only if you don't want them to wreck your locked case or aren't prepared to check an unlocked bag.
Since this is primarily a US forum most of you will need TSA locks to get your luggage over the pond in one piece.

An easy alternative is to use ANY lock you want and attach the keys to the lock with the cable tie. Your luggage is properly locked and thy can open it if they need to.

I asked about this on another thread: Has anyone here used shrink-wrap (from airport services) as a deterrent to theft? (Luggage is tightly wrapped with this plastic before check-in)

<<
Ok it's not a rule, but without TSA locks they can and will break into your case if they want to. So better not to lock it, or use TSA locks. Ripties will be cut by them and any locked cases forced.
KLM states that you should not lock your cases to or from the US.
>>

You make it sound like if you lock it with cable ties, it's automatic that TSA agents will open/inspect your bags. That's just not true. As I stated earlier, I've only had my luggage opened once by TSA, and that was only one of two bags.

I've only been through the States a couple of time in the last couple of years, but my mother went through 6 times in the past year. She always uses cable ties and has never had her luggage opened.

I used to use those little locks on my case, but once I forgot the keys and thought I'd have to wreck my luggage getting into it. Not so, a gentleman on the same trip simply gave it a good yank and the lock released. No harm done to the lock and when I got home I checked that I could lock it an unlock (with the key) without a problem.

I don't know if newer/TSA approved locks are any stronger, but since then I've used cable ties. At least I'll know if my luggage was opened (and scrutinize that nothing is missing) and not have been yanked open and closed up again without me ever knowing the difference.

I'm not sure what a cable lock is...however I usually use the large size paper clip to thread through the two little holes where the two front zippers meet. Easy to get off, but holds the zipper closed.
Sometimes we have put a large bright neon green strap around the suitcase (so WE can identify it easily on the carresol) and usually that suitcase has been opened for inspection...as we have found an "inspection card" inside. I guess this bright strap just draws attention.. Who knows?&gt

I've never had anyone in a European, African, or Asian airport even want to open my bags - when checking in or transferring between international and domestic flights. Guess I"m just not traveling with anything interesting!!!

However, I still always lock my bags because there is a HUGE theft problem at our home location airport and I don't want to make it easy for anyone. The theft problem has gotten so bad that some flights (to/from places like Dubai) INSIST that baggage be shrink-wrapped.

Of course, I tend to travel with mainly duffle bags and there is some "notion" that no one puts anything worth stealing in a duffle - so I have never had a problem.

When we lived in Egypt, we used to bring back all our electrical stuff (xbox, DVD players, etc) and booze (mainly wine) in the duffle bags and only put clothes and food in the other bags. On the rare occasions one of the customs officials wanted to check our bags - they only asked to see what was in the big/hardside suitcases. They weren't interested in the duffle bags!