RufusTFirefly

Having some sort of tie or lock also reduces the chance of accidental opening if a zipper pull gets hooked by something.

francophile03

Since this stupid policy was enacted, we have used cable ties. They are very inexpensive and effective. I mean they are effective in holding the zippers together from not opening. If you need to have your luggage inspected just have a large nail clipper handy.

suze

bettyk, it's a good idea to carry your prescriptions meds on the plane with you, not in your checked luggage.

Patrick

Suze, I'd go a step further. If any of your prescriptions are necessary, then it would be insanity NOT to have them with you in your carry on.

SAnParis

Carry it on & don't lock it. If they want in, they'll get in.

FainaAgain

For keeping zippers together without locking the suitcase the easiest is to put a key ring on both. No need to worry about nail clippers.

my2cents

I like that idea about using a key ring. It's still awkward enough to remove for the casual person looking for an easy suitcase into which to slip contraband, but you and inspectors are able to open w/o special tools. That and, of course, not putting anything valuable or attractive to thieves in checked luggage.

smueller

If you use the plastic cable ties, don't forget to put some type of cutter in an acessible part of your checked luggage. A small pocket knife is fine, but don't put it in your carry-on luggage or it will likely be confiscated.

Plastic ties are great for keeping you luggage from opening inadvertently. They also reduce the likelihood of opportunistic quick pilfering of your luggage.

In my experience, if a plastic cable tie must be cut to inspect your luggage, the NTSA will usually replace it with another cable tie. I have used color ties and found white ties in their place after picking up my luggage.

bettyk

Suze and Patrick, as I said in my original post, I DID carry all of my meds with me on the flights over. On the return flights, however, I had taken all my morning meds before we boarded our flight in Frankfurt. I then put a couple of pain pills in my purse which I did keep with me on the plane and put all the remaining pills in my checked luggage.

On the outbound flights, I was more concerned with my bags getting lost and not having my pills for 2 wks than I was with theft. Like I said, I guess I don't think like a criminal but I'm not STUPID!

walkinaround

travel by plane 2+ times per week for many years, all over europe, asia, north america, etc. never locked. don't even know what a "TSA lock" is, carry my life giving meds with me as well as my valuables, never had even one thing stolen. ever. most normal luggage (clothes, personal care items, etc) are not coveted by theives. cameras, cash, passports, etc, are usually carried on the person or carry-on luggage.

Liquidsunshine

I agree with Shar - I'm not so much worried about thieves stealing my stuff as I am about unscrupulous people hiding drugs in my bag. For that reason alone, I will always lock. If the criminals are desperate enough, I'm sure they'll find a way into my bag. But my hope is, if my bag is locked, they'll get tired of trying to mess with it, and just leave it alone.

Travelnut

Who's gonna hide drugs in your bag? How will they retrieve the drugs later?

Liquidsunshine

As was mentioned upthread, travelnut, there is a young Australian woman named Schapelle Corby, who was traveling to Indonesia in October 2004. When customs opened her boogie board bag, they found drugs. She insisted it wasn't hers. She was sentenced to 20 years in an Indonesian prison. Prosecutors claim that her word isn't good enough. The judge apparently agreed.

Google that girl's name, and you'll see the story.

GreenDragon

Travelnut -- all they have to do is call ahead to their confederate on the other side, to have them pick up the bag in baggage claim. Nobody checks that the bag is collected by the person that actually HAS the baggage claim ticket. They walk off with the luggage and the drugs.