If your lock is NOT a TSA lock they do have the authority to break it. If it is a TSA lock, all TSA reps have a key. That is the whole purpose of using them..a lock that can be unlocked by those in authority to do so.

Hi Toedtoes..it could be, lol! I wouldn't be surprised and would be pleasantly pleased.

I also have small luggage locks w/keys along to use on the suitcase in the hotel room or on trains (just not when checked thru on the airlines). It makes a little mini-safe in your room.

Like suze, we use padlocks on our luggage while it is in the hotel room. My husband leaves the padlock on his suitcase when he checks it in. Even though the case itself isn't locked (because the padlock is only on one of the two zipper ends, not holding them together), he says that the bag will *looked* lock if someone just quickly glances at it.

His bag has never been broken into. But mine hasn't either, so my using no lock at all gave the same results. I have had a checked bag completely lost by the airline once, so a lock wouldn't have mattered.

robjame, you made me laugh, you made me cry, you made me run out for bolt cutters ...

As I said thirty pages ago, I've ALWAYS locked my larger, hardside, must-check bags because if they are NOT locked the latches can spring when the bag is dropped or thrown - a far more likely scenario than a baggage handler rifling through looking for my good neckties. Ever looked out the window of the plane to see an open bag on the runway next to the baggage truck, the contents blowing in the wind? Or an open bag on the carousel, with underwear or evening gown spilling out?

As for locked bags being a prime target, thieves, pro or otherwise, like the path of least resistance.

As far as theft, what you can hope for a lock to do is deter someone who doesn't want to be caught breaking it! That's when all plausible deniability is gone. If it's unlocked, someone can always say, "I thought it was mine" or "I was just zipping it shut" or "I was looking for ID"

To each his own!!! (And no one else's)

<<Ever looked out the window of the plane to see an open bag on the runway next to the baggage truck, the contents blowing in the wind? Or an open bag on the carousel, with underwear or evening gown spilling out?>>

YES to both. I saw a suitcase fall off the top of a stack of luggage on a cart in Charlotte and white shirts and other items fall onto the tarmac.

I also saw a trail of underwear on the carousel in Paris. The poor woman who owned the suitcase stayed until almost everyone had left before gathering it up and stuffing it back into her suitcase.

I've been using the sturdy combination style TSA approved locks since they came on the market and have never had a problem -- nothing stolen and no broken locks. I have found notes inside that my luggage has been inspected. I use the same locks to lock my luggage in hotel rooms. Before TSA-approved locks, I used strong combination style and they were never broken. However, I had a flimsy lock that came with the luggage disappear one time but I think it probably got caught on something. Nothing missing or mussed in the suitcase.

I'm with the guys who believe theft is a crime of opportunity and thieves will go for the easiest targets -- so the more people who don't lock their luggage, the safer mine is.

Clarin, A TSA agent told me to use the approved when leaving the country but not when returning from a foreign country.

I suggest to lock all compartments because it would serve as a deterrant to baggage handlers. It's true that they can break locks if they want but why not go for that unlocked suitcase? I say it's like putting the Club on your car.

Some countries REQUIRE locks on ALL zippered compartments (I believe it's to prevent people from planting drugs or other illicit items in your luggage then collecting it later?) and if you don't have it on at security, then you have to buy them.

Always go the combo lock way in case you lose your key!

Cable ties is a good additin too....

Between Heathrow and CDG my luggage which was unlocked but had a lock closed on the zipper handle (one of those supposedly approved by TSA) had the zipper torn right off the rest of the suitcase. Nothing was missing, but apparently they didn't even check to see that it was unlocked...just tore it apart and made it unrepairable, and then slapped a "fragile" label on it.

So to lock or not to lock - does it matter?

Also can someone please explain what this cable that they put around the suitcase is? is it like the bicycle cable used to secure your bike to a post or something??

I went to Munich from Washington, DC just this past February and used a TSA approved lock (purchased from Rick Steves website) and NO problems. It has a flag that tells you if an inspector had to get in. Now I did have a bit of trepidation as I had purchased a bottle of perfume and I was told by some Americans there in Munich that their friends said that perfrume "never made it back" that the inspectors stoll it out of the luggage!The luggage was most probabley not locked--I got nervous with that bit of information even though I had a lock.

Well, I did NOT open the perfume box, left it sealed and wrapped it securely in an extra jacket for extra padding in my checked bag and when I got home it was still there--in fact my bag had not been entered and the TSA lock was still intact. So...lock your luggage by all means-unlocked luggage is just an invitation for trouble. I would never go to Cairo, Egypt with unlocked luggage and have been there 15 times--again no problem. Just used a TSA approved lock!

I went to Bangkok last year and used a TSA approved lock on my checked bag. When I arrived in Bangkok my TSA lock was still locked. Somehow, somewhere, someone placed another small lock on the same zipper that my TSA lock was on. Of course, I had no key to open the lock so I had to have the hotel break the lock so I could get into my luggage. Go figure...

I never lock my case, I always think that if anyone wants to break in to my case they will, even if it is locked, they could just break the lock off it. I had my luggage lost at heathrow once, as we were delayed arriving at heathrow and we had to run to make our next connection, so we made the plane but our luggage didnt. as this was on our journey home, the airport said that my luggage would be on the next flight, and that they would deliver it to my home. Yes it was delivered, it was never locked, and my case had been cut all up one side and a pack of cigarettes had been taken. they really didnt have to ruin my case as well, so I think it really does not matter what you do.

Ok, do you prefer combo locks or the ones with keys?

I've always traveled with a TSA approved combinaton lock, execpt this past October to Frankfurt. Upon arrival, I noticed that a small travel alarm clock waS missing. It still frustrates me that someone had the audacity to do that. It only cost about $6 but even so ...

I use cable ties with a nail clipper in an outside pocket to cut them. That way I know immediately when I pick up my bag if some one has gone through it. TSA locks are useless outside of the USA.

Tennis Woman stated:
<<Some countries REQUIRE locks on ALL zippered compartments (I believe it's to prevent people from planting drugs or other illicit items in your luggage then collecting it later?) and if you don't have it on at security, then you have to buy them.>>

Does anyone know what countries require locks? I've travelled extensively and have never encountered any such rule.

<<I would never go to Cairo, Egypt with unlocked luggage and have been there 15 times--again no problem. Just used a TSA approved lock!>>

Eurojen,

Do you use the TSA-approved lock when you fly from Cairo to the US? Cairo wouldn't have the keys so wouldn't you risk having the lock cut off if they want to check your luggage?

Ever since the no lock rule became effective we've used cable ties. It works well for us.

Had had my TSA lock removed twice now, between Reno and LAX. The lock wasn`t put anywhere, like inside the suitcase. No note either. I had to buy a regular non TSA lock in China, to bring my purchases back to the US. When I got to LAX, I removed the lock, and just hoped for the best from LAX to Reno. Nothing got stolen. I am now switching to cable ties, as those TSA locks get expensive when you have to keep buying them.

Precisely Pat. TSA locks may be an answer for US domestic flights but not for international flights.

I have been using the TSA locks since the beginning and all International flights. When I check in here in Asheville, I have a supervisor do the checking of my luggage. They put a sticker on it and tell me that it will not be looked at again.

What happens on my return, I really don't know..it is not as important to me, either. I have never had a lock broken or missing. It doesn't mean that it will not happen on my next trip!

I always lock my luggage. If a thief wants to get into my bags, then he's going to have to work for what he's trying to steal. Hopefully he'll give up and go to the unlocked bag. It's expensive to relace anything these days. Happy Travels!