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Old 12-14-2005, 05:32 PM   #1
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Hi all,

Was just browsing some posts and noticed talk related to locking your bags... Is it true that you should NOT lock your suitcase/pack when getting on a plane? And do the airport staff really just cut off your locks if you do?!?

This is a completely new concept for me - I was fully intending to lock up my bag with a padlock or two and also use some of those tamper-evident plastic tag things... I am a little concerned at the thought of my bag going onto a plane completely unlocked - esp given the Corby incident!!

I am flying from Aus to London and then a few flights within Europe...

Can any TPs advise on what is best?

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Old 12-14-2005, 06:53 PM   #2
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I always seem to get the 'random check' whenever I don't carry-on my bags. I've never locked them but when I flew back to the US from Paris I was missing a pair of pants (I bought in Seville Spain) and about 10 euros I kept for my dad (he owns a coin store). Still pisses me off.

I saw the little plastic thingys are a good idea because if they do cut them off its like 10 cents lost, if that.
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:10 PM   #3
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Yeah the plastic things I got were AUS$12 for 20 - they are all indiviually numbered so that no-one could break one off and replace it with another one.

So I guess maybe I will use those on the plane and once I am out of the airport, revert to a lock.
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:28 PM   #4
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I got the TSA aproved travel locks, the TSA supposedly has a standard key that opens them and makes it turn red when opened. i never had my bags checked so i can't say if they would just cut them off. i like to keep at least my bag locked, it keeps the casual browser from going through it.
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:29 PM   #5
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I've honestly never had a problem with things being stolen from my bags and I've never ever locked them.. I swear I have the best Karma when it comes to some things I probably will use zip tags next time I go anywhere though... just from hearing some other peoples stories.
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:38 PM   #6
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anyone know where you can buy those things online? also, will they cut the TSA locks off or no?
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:45 PM   #7
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i cant lock my bag so i just do a knot thing on the tightning string thing ...does the job
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Old 12-14-2005, 07:57 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally posted by nemesis331@Dec 14 2005, 10:38 PM
anyone know where you can buy those things online?* also, will they cut the TSA locks off or no?
[snapback]92997[/snapback]
The link i put above is ebags, exactly the ones i bought from there. i've heard they may cut them depending on how lazy they are but at least i try.
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Old 12-16-2005, 08:55 AM   #9
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I locked my bags and had no problem. flew with air canada...might be different with other airlines...
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Old 12-16-2005, 09:25 AM   #10
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First time flying back from Europe (pre 9/11) my family and I had a few things missing from our bags. Nothing of extreme value, but stuff that we KNEW we'd packed and somehow magically disappeared.
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Old 12-16-2005, 10:09 AM   #11
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TSA locks are a waste of money. most security people don't bother to use the tool and cut your lock off anyway. First time I used one, it was cut-off. A few weeks ago I overheard a counter attendant telling a passenger the same thing - don't lock your bag, even with the TSA lock - it will get off.
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Old 12-18-2005, 05:31 PM   #12
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Is the whole not-locking thing more relevant to travel in/out of the US?
Example I flew from Aus to Singapore/Thailand and locked my bags and didn't have any problems.
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Old 12-19-2005, 12:53 AM   #13
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Yeah, it's generally in the US where you risk a chance of having your lock cut off. Although I'm sure there are other brutal regimes out there that do the same
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Old 12-19-2005, 01:11 AM   #14
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you can buy these cheap plastic locks that they can rip off. It is easier for everyone involved. That way you KNOW if they were in your bag and you don't run the gambit of getting your zipper things cut... which happened to me twice... bastards...
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