Steel cord-locks for luggage on Italian trains a good idea??
 

Hi everyone,
Amart wrote in 2005, "After you decide if the baggage is to go into the overhead or the racks at the front of the train, you may want to take a steel cord lock to secure the handles to the racks. We did this...I read stories about stolen luggage enough to worry."

How do all you "veteran" travelers feel about this? (This will be our first European trip.) We will most likely have 21" & 24" suitcases plus a small daypack and make-up case...so we may, most likely, be stowing our larger bags on the racks at the end of the traincar.....just wondering. Thanks for your input.

I stick my heavy luggage on the racks at the end of the car and take it out when I approach my stop. Anything of value stays nearer to me, either in the overhead rack or between seats (there is space between back to back seats).

This is especially true on routes with infrequent stops like Rome-Venice, etc.

If you take ES trains the 21" and maybe even the 24" will fit above your seats.

You can glance in the general direction as you approach stops, or get up and hover if you wish.

In several years here on Fodors I've yet to hear a single 1st hand story of stolen luggage off a train. If luggage theft were really a problem we'd certainly hear about it.

If it makes you feel better, then bring a lock.

I have not and would not bother. Call me cavalier but I spend a lot less time worrying about these things than some others, which I believe leaves me a lot more time, focus and energy to enjoy traveling.

I've read a few stories of people having luggage stolen, but J62's approach is probably fine for most.

If you're at all worried about it, bring the lock. The peace of mind is worth the hassle.

Why not lock it? We carry a couple of light weight, retractable cable locks. When ever we sit down with a bag, we use the lock to quick secure it something. Same for overhead luggage, No reason not to secure it. If we have luggage in the end units and cannot secure it to something, then we will lock all the bags together. Then you don't have to do anything. Our attitude is want can go wrong if it is secure -- nothing. What can go wrong if it is not secure -- a number of things. Why take the risk even if you perceive it as low?

We aren't lazy or casual about these things when traveling on trains in a foreign country.

I take nothing for granted. It only takes a minute to tie our two suitcases with a strong, super-thin cable and lock around a steel pole at the rack near the doors.

I have travelled quite a bit in Europe, including Italy, (and I lived in The Netherlands for 4 years as well), and the only time I have ever had trouble on a train was around 1991 on a night train from Berlin to Crakow, Poland. My sister and I did not get a sleeper, so we stayed in a regular cabin. Somewhere around 03:30 in the morning, we each got up and took turns going to the WC. About 04:00 AM, just outside of Katowice, we both woke up again and realized that my camera bag was gone and her book bag was gone. People told us we may have been gassed, apparently a common thing back then in Eastern Europe. (many Polish people told us they knew of people with similar stories outside of Katowice). My passport also was gone....it was in an inner, zipped-up pocket in my jacket, which I was using as a pillow. (My sister found it, though, in a trash basket!) Other than that, with as much as I have travelled on trains in Europe from 1986 to the present, I've had no problems. If it makes you feel more comfortable, by all means, get one.

One thing about those locks is that some of them are tricky to open. Be sure the one you have can be opened easily, and quickly even when you are half asleep or a bit buzzed.

Those trains do not mess about. They stay in the stations only long enough for folks to hustle off and to load. If you are fumbling with a stubborn lock, the train is going to pull out -- you and your luggage still aboard.

Practice getting the keys out and unlocking the cable before you go.

:-)

Thanks Everyone, for your helpful responses. If I may ask one more question, where did you purchase your
cable/locks? I inquired about such a cable/lock when at a baggage store yesterday and they said they had never heard of such a thing. (All they had was a big wide strap with a rather large combination lock to put around your actual suitcase.)

Nukesafe, you make a great point and we will be sure to practice and be sure we can unlock quickly...I tend to err on the side of caution. Since I know I will be able to relax and enjoy the ride much more if I am not worried about the suitcases, I think we will probably use the cables, provided I can find them, they're easy to handle and they are not too bulky to pack.

If you can't find the lock, you can use long, plastic zip ties. My sister and I used those on a trip to Spain. Just bring nail clippers with you to cut them off when you're ready to go (it comes off as fast as a lock at a station).

Do you have any bicycle shops near you? You can certainly find them there. Sometimes you can also find them in hardware stores.

If you are going to do this I suggest you get one which has a changeable combination lock so you don't have to worry about carrying/losing keys.

We used to use these on trains but stopped doing so several years ago. If you lived close to me you could easily borrow mine!

Back in the day, I used to use these in airports to chain my luggage to a seat while I went to the men's room. Alas, no longer.

I don't think these are a very good idea on a train for three reasons. First is that very little luggage is stolen from trains. Second, someone may need to move your bags to get theirs in or out, and they will not be happy if they cannot because of your cable. Third, is reinforcing nukesafe's point. Trains are in the station a very, very short time, almost unbelievably short by US standards. If you do it, you will need to leave your seat early and make very sure the lock is undone before you pull into the station or you won't get off.

If you decide to use them, and I might in Eastern Europe or any of the poorer countries, I think I bought mine from Travelsmith or Magellan. They were aircraft cable, had combination locks, and were a lot lighter than bike locks.

Hi Love,

>...take a steel cord lock to secure the handles to the racks. ...

How do all you "veteran" travelers feel about this?<

Wanna buy a never-used bicycle lock with steel cord?

The only time a thief can steal your luggage is when the train is in the station.


It is little trouble to keep an eye on your luggage. You could always get off the train at the door where your luggage is and get back on before the train leaves.

((I))

I have always believed that it is better to err on the side of caution, so, I too, purchased retractable steel cord/locks for my trip. Better safe than sorry, I always say.

Would a cable lock like people have for their laptops work?

That said, I have never felt the need myself. The majority of people on trains have suitcases and do not use cable locks. I keep valuables on my person or the smaller bag I keep with me.

luv2travel, where did you purchase your cable/lock?

suze, I have never seen one--but it is a good suggestion, perhaps, to visit Office Depot and see if they have something...

I have posted this before about watching teens waiting for the train to start pulling out of a station so they could take off with some luggage.

I have also seen someone walk by the luggage area as they pass between cars and stop to look over the luggage. It would be easy to take it into the toilet and rifle through it.

I usually get up during stops to check on my luggage but that is more of a hassle than just securing it. When you leave your train seat to check, you are probably leaving something there too which can be snatched.

To make sure I get off at the correct stop I always get to the luggage a bit early and pull it out to be ready for the stop. It would not take much more time to take off a bicycle lock.

I haven't done this in the past but the next time I take a long train journey I will do it. Many Europeans I have watched do secure their luggage too. As tourists, we have other things to think about than constantly checking our luggage.

I'm sorry, but I have never seen anyone securing luggage in Europe with cables or anything else.

I'm not syaing it doesn't happen but just in 30 years of train travel I jave never seen a "local" do it.

As someone else mentioned, retractable cable locks can be purchased where bicycle accessories are sold. (REI, Sports Chalet in SoCal, or over the internet.) They are very small, but the cables are long enough to lock bags together or to an object.

My husband is a serious cyclist and owns a bike that cost more than my first two cars (tgether!). He uses a lock every time he "parks" his bike. We also lock our skis and poles when we stop for lunch. Locking our luggage is just second nature to us.

Dukey, I have. Maybe you were looking at more interesting sights!

In 30 plus years of travelling in Europe by train, I have never seen anyone do this, nor have I ever had a problem.

If I am on an ES, I reserve a seat near where the luggage is stored. And, if the overhead bin accomodates, I store my bag there. I keep valuables with me at all times and my luggage is always locked.

I would not use a cable lock for all the reasons already mentioned, nor do I think it is an issue.

It is most certainly not something I have ever seen a resident do;in fact, they travel very light in general.

The people who post stories about theft of any kind never happening to them are just that - people to whom it has not yet happened. If you feel more comfortable securing your luggage, then by all means secure it. There are few things worse than having a vacation spoiled by bad incident.

With all due respect, you must think it is an issue or you wouldn't lock your luggage and keep all of your valuables with you at all times.

Many local people use the trains for commuting, we are traveling with luggage and I would just as well keep it safe for the time I am on my vacation. As much as possible without obsessing.

By the way, keys can be lost and combinations can be forgotten. I recommend using a mountaineer's carabiner to tie things together - they take several second to unscrew, time that a snatch-and-jump off thief doesn't have.

Just make sure you get up and make your way to the baggage rack when your station is announced, so you have plenty of time to prepare for egress.

Like Dukey and Kfusto, I've never seen anyone attaching their luggage to a train with a cable, chain or anything else, during train journeys all over Europe. If I saw anyone do it, I'd think they were madly paranoid or that their luggage contained gold bullion or something of unusual value.

I always consider the safety of baggage when traveling Amtrak, even if I'm wide awake and it's midday, but don't know personally of anyone losing a bag to a thief on board. The one time I lost something it was a walkman, swiped out of the seat-back pouch when I dozed off.

My tip for baggage in racks - and I do this every time, even on commuter trains - is to turn the handles away from the aisle. Like locking the car when parking it, it just stands to reason that an opportunity thief will choose the easiest target. If he/she has to fumble around with the bag to get it down, they'll skip it. Of course, follow the advice above about being able to access your bag quickly for departure!

Another way might be to attach two bags as others have described - but in a way that simply causes a little excitemt if someone tries to steal one: they grab one handle, but the back loop on that bag is attached to another, and ...

About 20 years ago I was hearing occasional stories of people on overnights having their compartments robbed - the "gassing" story. Sounds like an urban myth, but a couple I know had it happen. Woke up with headaches and all their portable belongings gone from the locked compartment. Haven't heard anything about this for many many years, though.

I use the laptop type when I do research at the library (the lock end actually fits into the computer, not appropriate for the scenario we;re speaking of. ) And I run the cable through my (locked) briefcase handle, so I can leave everything in place if using the restroom or going to the call desk or taking a break. Would also consider it if using a laptop in a hotel room.

I've used the thin cable and lock. I am easily distracted, often fall asleep on trains, and frequently have accidents and mishaps. I am also sometimes sorry, and much prefer being safe. Thus, I take the cable.

I feel like I am always beating off pickpockets; on a train in Italy, I've had someone put their hand in my blouse pocket, over my heart; amazing and appalling.

Another good use for it is to run it through your luggage and available openings in the car trunk.

I think we bought ours at an outfitters store in a mall, but I've seen them other places. Check online.

I don't at all see why you shouldn't do this if you would like to. It makes me feel more secure and relaxed.

We did lock our luggage the last time we were on a train in France and will do so again on our 7 hr. trip from Dijon to Agen in September. That way, we can snooze without worry. I have a Zelco Lumilock Cable XL which is very easy to use and weighs only a few ounces. Can't begin to imagine forgetting the combination!

If you don't lock your luggage, what do you do if you want to go to the dining car? Drag it along with you or leave it unattended and unlocked?

BTW, combinations aren't forgotten if you select something logical like your birthday or first few numbers of your home phone, address, etc.

Retractable cable locks are sold every -- at least in our area -- bike and ski shops, from Target to REI. Maybe you don't know what to look for. About the size of a deck of cards, with four wheels on top with numbers and holds a three to four foot cable that pulls out like a tape measure and goes back the same way. I really don't care what the local do. They know the territory, I don't.

We will even lock the day bag to the back of the chair when we sit in a restaurant. That way if we are distracted the bag stays put. A simple precaution that has served us well.

Thank you, everyone, for this lively discussion. I guess we all have to do what keeps each of us comfortable. I plan on finding a couple of those cables and using them, just so I can relax on the longer train rides, perhaps go to the dining car, or snooze without having to be concerned.

You are correct, fmpden, I did not know what it looked like at all! Thank you for the description. I have learned so much from this forum--you are all TERRIFIC! (not yelling, just an energetic thank you!) :>

And you, lovesroses, are appreciative and thoughtful: typical Nebraska girl that you are ... ;)

Awwwww shucks, you make me blush, tomassocroccante! I am just full of gratitude :>

Hi Everyone,
"Mission Accomplished"! I have ordered online the retractable cable locks for our trip. For anyone wishing to bypass the "google" step, here are some websites to consider doing so online:

www.corporatetravelsafety.com to see the "Pacsafe Retractable 200" 35" long/3oz

www.lockitt.com to see the
"Masterlock Luggage Lock 4605" 24" long

or

www.soderbloom.com to see item
T33RC Retractable cable lock 36" long

Lastly, thank you all so much for your help!

SeaUrchin, I lock my luggage on planes, in hotel rooms in the US and anywhere else I travel. It simply makes good sense to do so, at least for me.

As for always having my valuables on me when travelling, well, of course! Where else would one keep them? I have been pickpocketed in Paris and ripped off in Milan and I had them with them then as well. If a thief is a pro, then the chances are you will be a victim.

Otherwise, I believe in precautions here and abroad, but not to an extreme.

lovesroses, we also bought similar cable and lock systems before our last trip. Didn't really use them on the trains but used them while our luggage was being held by concierges prior to our rooms being ready.

Also, they came in very handy in Orvieto. There is no longer baggage storage at the train station there. We paid the hotel across the street to allow us to leave our bags there for the day. We used the locks to strap our luggage to a fixed item in the room and then lock the zippers closed.

Maybe extreme but it made me feel better and I was able to relax and enjoy our beautiful day in Orvieto!

motorcitygirl just reminded me that our family did basically the same thing: We had to check out of the hotel in Sorrento, but wanted to leave our suitcases there while we went into town for lunch.

The only space available for 10 suitcases plus shoulder travel bags was a conference room. We were able to run the cable through all the suitcases and leave the hotel for a couple of hours without any worry.

I guess for the amount of space and weight those thin, strong cables take up while traveling, you just don't know when you might need one.

I've already commented that we use them on trains - so they work for us.

kfusto, I misunderstood what you wrote. It is good to be careful sometimes, I agree.