On Saturday 10th September we travel to San Francisco from the UK via Chicago.

Last year we used cable ties to secure our bags, this year I have bought some TSA approved locks.

Has anyone had any previous experience of these locks and, do you think it is overkill to use both the locks and cable ties, (my girlfriend's very expensive wedding dress will be in the luggage).

If someone really wants to break into your suitcase they will do it no matter how many locks you have on it. Is it possible for you to carry the wedding dress on the plane in a garment bag? That would be my choice.

Unless it was a non-stop flight I would NEVER check a wedding dress. And even on a non-stop I'd have second thoughts. I'd go the garment bag route if at all possible. Not that your bag would be ransacked or anything - but bags do get damaged and lost.

Highly unlikely to happen to you -- but on a recent episode of Airline (the US version about Southwest similar to the one about Easyjet in the UK) a woman's wedding gown was ruined on the tarmac. Now she was an idiot - checked it through in a plastic bag, not in a suitcase. But just the same "stuff happens"

BTW I don't think more than cable ties is necessary - a thief can get inside ANY bag if they want to bad enough.

Our last trip my TSA approved lock was broken off and zipper broken in the course of it. My husband's was unlocked and not re-locked. In neither instance did TSA insert their normal inspection notices in the luggage, so we have no idea who did it. They've also been unlocked and not relocked in at least one previous trip. I'd go with the cable tie instead. At least if someone decides they want to break in, they won't damage your luggage in the process!

I would use simple cable ties on the suitcases and carry the dress on the plane with you.

A theif handling baggage may get what he wants but a few cable ties and a lock will might make him go to the next bag with no restraints on it.

Did anyone see the episode of Airline where the women went to Lost Baggage and was given her wedding dress with black tire tracks on it?

I agree with the recommendations NOT to check the wedding dress, and to defintiely carry it with you on the plane. Even though it is technically too big, the flight attendants will help you find room for it and will take good care of it. The change of the bag containing the dress getting lost/damaged is just too risky, IMHO.

As for the TSA locks, I have used them numerous times. The suitcase-sized ones work well, and I have never had a problem. The bigger ones are OK, but I have had them broken off and lost twice now. When I have to use these, I always bring an extra in case one of them is lost on the outbound flight.

I have used cable ties and TSA locks, the ones that turn red when opened with the TSA key. I ALWAYS tell the person who takes my luggage that it is a TSA lock, but still some idiot broke the zipper handle first and THEN used the key, so I think I'll go back to cable ties. Except now I need a new zipper....

The most important rule, though, is NEVER check anything important. If the wedding dress is too big for carryon, try shipping it ahead with UPS or DHS.

Thanks to all who replied, after work yesterday I bought a garment bag and some cable ties.

Also, the wedding isnt traditional therefore the dress, whilst very expensive isnt that sizeable.

Thanks again.

Why not send the dress ahead of time via FedEx or other service? Then you can track the box to the destination.