Question About Locking Luggage

[KatWI]

Hi!

 

We haven't flown for years and have some questions.

 

Although we aren't taking Cruise Air I thought this might be the best place to ask questions about flying.

 

Do people generally lock their luggage? I thought that now "checked in" luggage had to be accessible to the airlines. Are there special locks that need to be purchased and are they expensive?

 

Does the luggage have to be accessible to the cruise lines too?

 

THANKS!

[JJPNYC]

Hi!

 

We haven't flown for years and have some questions.

 

Although we aren't taking Cruise Air I thought this might be the best place to ask questions about flying.

 

Do people generally lock their luggage? I thought that now "checked in" luggage had to be accessible to the airlines. Are there special locks that need to be purchased and are they expensive?

 

Does the luggage have to be accessible to the cruise lines too?

 

THANKS!

 

I ALWAYS lock my luggage, there's still too many prying hands and lack of responsibility between when I drop off my luggage and pick it up on the luggage carousel to leave it unlocked.

 

But what I do is that I use plastic cable ties to lock it. With that, if TSA needs to inspect my luggage they can easily cut the ties but are enough of a deterrant for someone with sticky hands. Plus these are very cheap so I'm not upset if they get cut. The only thing is that you'll need something to cut them (small scissors, nail clippers) packed in the outside pocket of your suit case when you arrive in order to open your suitcase.

 

As for cruise lines, they do not inspect luggage at all.

[cruisin*tigger]

But what I do is that I use plastic cable ties to lock it. With that, if TSA needs to inspect my luggage they can easily cut the ties but are enough of a deterrant for someone with sticky hands. Plus these are very cheap so I'm not upset if they get cut. The only thing is that you'll need something to cut them (small scissors, nail clippers) packed in the outside pocket of your suit case when you arrive in order to open your suitcase.

 

ditto!:)

[bouhunter]

We use the plastic ties too. And throw in some extras for the flight home.

 

If you want to use a real lock, it must be one that TSA can open. Find them in any store where they sell luggage. If you use a plain old padlock and TSA picks your bag to search, they'll cut it off. With the new ones they will supposedly open them and re-lock them.

[wrp96]

Target and Walmart sell TSA approved locks which can be opened by the TSA with a special key if they need to get into your luggage. These are what I use.

[MIcruiser99]

I got the TSA-approved lock with an indicator that shows if it has been opened.

 

Probably have to pay extra but I am always curious about what is going on with the luggage.

[madhouseinc]

I ALWAYS lock my luggage, there's still too many prying hands and lack of responsibility between when I drop off my luggage and pick it up on the luggage carousel to leave it unlocked.

 

But what I do is that I use plastic cable ties to lock it. With that, if TSA needs to inspect my luggage they can easily cut the ties but are enough of a deterrant for someone with sticky hands. Plus these are very cheap so I'm not upset if they get cut. The only thing is that you'll need something to cut them (small scissors, nail clippers) packed in the outside pocket of your suit case when you arrive in order to open your suitcase.

 

As for cruise lines, they do not inspect luggage at all.

 

If you use the colored cables it really is good - use a color that matches that colored duct tape you perhaps should consider striping luggage with - too many black bags out there!

 

jeri

[nancy anne]

Where do you buy the plastic ties?-------Thanks

[cherylandtk]

walmart or any hardware store, many big box stores, too.

[Keith1010]

I have never used locks but am planning to do so for an upcoming cruise as our luggage will be out of our hands quite a bit excluding the time it is out of our hands at the airport/on the airplane. I also am concerned with them sitting on the dock.

 

If you go with locks go with TSA approved locks. They are sold in a number of places from Walmart, to Target to Home Depot to the Department Stores, to luggage stores, to various places on the Web.

 

Like anything else they are not fool proof. If someone wants to get into them they will but I figure it might deter some to try. Again, not fool proof.

 

Like I said we have never used them before and knock on wood we have not had a problem. But, this time around given that they will be out of our sight quite a bit we decided to go with them.

 

Keith

[KatWI]

I appreciate all your advice! I'm going to check out those approved locks but if they're too much we'll probably use plastic ties. We don't travel very much...although if we have fun on our first cruise maybe that will change! :)