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!) gt;

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 gt;

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.