When I recently traveled to Rome, I had been careful to purchase and set code on one of those new lockes that can be opened but not destroyed by inspectors. Too bad. When I picked up my bags in Rome, it was easy to see that the lock was totally gone--obviously broken and destroyed, not entered by use of a "special key" as promised for these types of locks.

What is a person to do??

P.S. All valuable were with me in my carryon; nothing was missing from checked-in luggage. But I still felt invaded and betrayed in some way. Oh well!

For those of you who mention using "cable ties" instead of locks, could you please explain to me excatly what these are and where can I get them. That sounds like a good compromise between locking and not locking luggage. Thanks.

My TSA locks were missing off of my two suitcases on my L.A.-Tokyo-Singapore-Bangkok route last summer. This was the first time locks have ever been missing off of my luggage in over 30 years of international travel. I vacation overseas 1-3 times a year. I filed a claim with TSA and was refunded the total cost of the missing locks. TSA locks are sold in Bangkok however cost exactly double of what they cost here in the states. I bought only one lock there so that I could lock my suitcase on my way home. TSA would not refund me the cost of having to buy a lock there though. The suitcase arrived back to L.A. locked. Happy Travels!

Cable ties are available in hardware stores-or at a higher cost in a luggage or travel store.

I use the TSA locks but did see packages of cable ties recently in one of those Dollar stores. It was a good size package so they'd last a long time.

I'm reposting this old thread -- NOT to start the lock-vs-no-lock debate -- but just to clarify that my existing locks (which happen to be TSA locks) are allowed on (a) a roundtrip flight from the US to CDG, and (b) a roundtrip flight from CDG to FCO.

Am I correct in assuming that? I'm having a hard time finding a clear answer to that.

Thanks!

TSA locks are allowed on your routes. There is no problem with locking luggage on non-US flights, but on US bound flights if your luggage is locked it must be with TSA locks or they will (and do ) break into your cases if they are locked.
I lock my cases (TSA locks) purely to help keep them closed during the rough and tumble of the baggage carousels. That and a band around them which also helps identify them.

I also have TSA locks on my camera bag which goes on board normally but who knows? One day I might get stuck in a no handbaggage situation, such as we had a couple of years ago. The photo gear is insured, even when checked so I would be fairly happy to check it, especially knowing it has TSA locks on it.

Thanks for clearing that up. I guess I am good with the locks that I already have.

I appreciate the help!

I have had those TSA locks cut a couple of times on trips from the US to Europe. Each time I returned the locks to the retailer (Brookstone) and was given a new lock. You have to fill out a form detailing the circumstances and return the broken lock if you have still have it.


If I was nervous about theft I would shrink-wrap my bag using the airport machines to do this.

I just returned from South America. Flew into Santiago, Chile and from Buenos Aires, Argentina. We had two internal flights and I used my TSA approved locks on All flights and had not problems anywhere. The locks were intact and luggage locked when I got if from the carousel.