"Travel Sentry" luggage locks - essential for USA?

torbrex

I have travelled to USA 8 times in the last 7 years and have never locked my case although I do have a locked padlock on one of the zip pulls in case something happens, I will have it to show the insurance.
I have not had anything go missing and one time my case was damaged there was a voucher inside to use a shop on the concourse which I thought was terrific.

Bob63

markymoo wrote: »

it's just nice to see everyone going really paranoid right about now... with lines like

"criminal baggage handlers"

is nice and reassuring that people don't judge...

My statement wasn't judgemental and didn't state or imply that all baggage handlers are criminals, but there is evidence that some are and therefore it is reasonable to take precautions to deter theft by them.

Just search for "baggage handler theft" on BBC News or Google and you will see that it does happen. e.g. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7092946.stm

urbancookie1

Ive always used TSA approved lock's when traveling to the US but do agree that the cable ties are just as good and more MSE as their much cheeper.
Dont really think that any locks keep out some one who's dishonest but it may make them move onto another bag that does'nt have any lock's on it.

Infact im sure ive seen a clip on here somewhere of some one breaking into a locked suitcase with just a lead pencil and then doing it up again.

angel

I fly quite often and never lock my suitcases and never had a problem. It's only clothes after all, anything of value I carry and I would have thought most travellers do too.

alanrowell

angel wrote: »

I fly quite often and never lock my suitcases and never had a problem. It's only clothes after all, anything of value I carry and I would have thought most travellers do too.

The main reason for using some form of lock - even if it's just cable ties - is that it reduces the chances of the case opening and flinging all your clothes & things all over the place.

If your suitcase doesn't lock then putting a strap around it is a good idea

tom81_2

OK thank for the advice - so don't bother locking at all, I suspected as much.

I like to still have a lock though - when leaving luggage in the hotel room, hotel storage etc

dylel

Do these locks work with european customs???
I do want deterrent and to keep case shut and don't expect it to be foolproof.
If they do I might buy, but I do think the cable ties are a good idea

bafty_crastard

We're just back from the USA and used cable ties. We had spare cable ties and scissors in the front pocket of one case so we could get in to the cases!!
One of our cases was opened by US customs on the trip home - they left a card to tell us. Don't think they removed anything though. We had 3 cases of dirty washing and 1 with shoes and clean clothes and that's the one they opened. Don't know how they knew which one was safe to open
We carry valuables in hand luggage and our cases only have clothes, shoes, books and toiletries in them.
I don't understand people who put valuables in their cases - apart from the chance of theft what would happen if the case went missing? I don't think holiday insurance would cover valuables in suitcases.

Networkguy

dylel wrote: »

Do these locks work with european customs???
I do want deterrent and to keep case shut and don't expect it to be foolproof.
If they do I might buy, but I do think the cable ties are a good idea

I do know that UK customs do have keys for these types of locks but it's only in the US where the rules say do not lock your case or we will cut the lock off. The TSA approved locks were brought in as a result of this so that people could continue to secure their cases.

But the others are right. If somebody wants to get in, with any lock, they will TSA or otherwise.

My own view is that it offers "some" protection and that is better than no protection.

An I do know that the TSA locks work as I have been through the states before and found a note in my case telling me it was searched yet it was all locked up when I took it off the luggage belt.

dylel

ty networkguy

Do they also work in France? Got locks broken there last year!