I use 'twistees', just to keep the zipper clips together, as they are reusable.

Suze...Everything in one's bags is of "monetary" value. If it's stolen, then it's going to have to be replaced and nothing is cheap.

I always lock my luggage. If thieves want something bad enough, I'm aware that they'll find a way to get it, but as far as I'm concerned, they're going to have to work for it. It would be like leaving your front door unlocked or wide open vs. locking it. Happy Travels!

Plastic cable ties on the main compartments & put the nail clipper in the smallest zipped but not cable-tied pocket of your checked suitcase.

I do normally use either kitchen twist ties or plastic cable ties, just not padlock style locks, TSA or otherwise.

I do understand that everything has value in your suitcase... otherwise you wouldn't be hauling it around the world with you (lol).

But theives are looking for high value items. It's about money not potential personal use of an item.

What goes missing most often are laptops, video cameras, expensive watch or jewelry, not someones t-shirts and PJ's!

guenmai - <I'm concerned, they're going to have to work for it.>

I use twistees because one time they 'worked for it' by breaking off my zipper tabs and making the suitcase useless.

I use cable ties.

If they want to get in, they can easily cut the lock or cut the zipper. The latter cost me a new bag, ouch.

Since any determined person can open the bag, the least I can do is to save the zipper mechanism.

I use a TSA lock for a U.S. only trip.

Nail clippers have been allowed back on for quite some time now - at least a coupe of years. What often is not allowed in carry on are the pointed nail file attachments found on some clippers. So regular nail clippers are no problem. Last time I flew through LHR - the lady in front of me had clippers w/ a file and the security screener gave her the option of confiscating the clippers or letting him snap off the file bit and letting her keep the clippers.

So she got on the plane carrying her "defiled" nail clippers

Let's tale a realistic view of locks on luggage. Just whom will a TSA lock keep out? If a thief wants in, he gets in. No lock, twist tie or cable is going to keep him or her out if the objective is something of real value. One swipe with a knife of scapel like sharpness and a suitcase flies open. If the suitcase is metal, any cable can be easily cut off and then a good blow with a hammer will break open the hinges.

Let me suggest you watch a real pro in action. I once watched a locksmith open the "approved" safe in my office in less than 30 seconds. The lock had failed and could not be opened by conventional methods even though I had the correct combination. The solution: A 3-foot long high-grade steel lever popped it open the lock almost instantly. Pieces of the latch-lock mechanism went flying.

I often wondered why management said we had to lock our safes. Six feet of duct tape would have secured the drawers better.

I think the course of action then should be tie-wraps. The question then would be how to get them on after the screeners are done with the bag? At most US airports I've flown out of you don't touch your bag after the X-Ray machine. Back in pre-9/11 days LHR had you carry yo0ur own bag after the X-Ray machine. I haven't flown in there since.

you may be mixing up things - I assumed you were asking about locking a <u>checked</u> bag - right?

If so, you will not see the bag or have contact w/ it after leaving it at the check in counter. The screening is normally done after that. If you are locking/securing a checked bag - do it before you turn the bag over at check in.

Now you seem to be talking about hand luggage - where you carry it after screening.

If you are carrying your bag on the plane you don't need a lock on it.

For checked luggage you don't take it thru screening yourself, you just hand it to the clerk (locked).

I just got back from a trip and flew from Austin to JFK, from JFK to Paris, from Paris to Budapest and on the return from Prague to JFK, from JFK to Austin. Neither of my TSA locks was broken (I had 2 checked bags). I have used TSA locks on many occasions, both inside and out of the U.S. I have never had a lock broken, but returning from my last trip to Germany, one of the locks was missing.

I am sure that they can be easily broken, but they are inexpensive, and I enjoy knowing they are there.