Do you padlock your suitcase?

Doshwaster

Gillingham wrote: »

I use cable ties and leave a pair of nail clippers in the outside pocket of the case ready to open it at my destination.

Useful information for wannbe baggage thieves - there's often some scissors or nail clippers in an outside pocket

davidlizard

ferf1223 wrote: »

I think I'm missing the point here - if there's nothing of value in the suitcase, what's the point of the locks? Nothing of value would mean unlikely to make a claim if something were to go missing, wouldn't it? And if the whole bag vanishes it's a different story.

I guess unless someone had some designer clothes or shoes in the bag, then maybe I could see the point if locking the case is required for insurance to cover anything that went missing.

AM I just not getting something obvious?

I use cable ties simply as a very basic deterent - if someone wants to get into the bag they will do, either by breaking whatever lock is on it, or ripping open the bag itself.

When I collect the bag at the baggage reclaim, I can quickly check the cable tie and this tells me straight away if someone has been in the bag - and I can then report this there and then to the appropriate airport security which will make getting redress for insurance a lot easier, rather than noticing the bag has been tampered with 6 hours later when I am in my hotel.

There is also a very small chance that someone could have put something in my bag for me to carry through customs after I have checked it in. Again, a cable tie assures me that this is unlikely.

Also a hint with cable ties - you can rip them open very easily using the saw edge of a standard door key. No need to carry knives or scissors.

Infidel

I've never padlocked my suitcase. The few things that I have that are worth stealing I keep in hand luggage.

ferf1223

davidlizard wrote: »

I use cable ties simply as a very basic deterent - if someone wants to get into the bag they will do, either by breaking whatever lock is on it, or ripping open the bag itself.

When I collect the bag at the baggage reclaim, I can quickly check the cable tie and this tells me straight away if someone has been in the bag - and I can then report this there and then to the appropriate airport security which will make getting redress for insurance a lot easier, rather than noticing the bag has been tampered with 6 hours later when I am in my hotel.

There is also a very small chance that someone could have put something in my bag for me to carry through customs after I have checked it in. Again, a cable tie assures me that this is unlikely.

Also a hint with cable ties - you can rip them open very easily using the saw edge of a standard door key. No need to carry knives or scissors.

I completely get this...we used to do the same for the same reasons.

I don't get the idea that you need to lock a bag with an actual as otherwise you can't claim on travel insurance if there is nothing of any value in the bag to lock up in the first place, so (presumably) no travel insurance validity issue to make locking your case an issue in the first place.

elisebutt65

ferf1223 wrote: »

I think I'm missing the point here - if there's nothing of value in the suitcase, what's the point of the locks? Nothing of value would mean unlikely to make a claim if something were to go missing, wouldn't it? And if the whole bag vanishes it's a different story.

I guess unless someone had some designer clothes or shoes in the bag, then maybe I could see the point if locking the case is required for insurance to cover anything that went missing.

AM I just not getting something obvious?

Well, yeah - the fact that you've just lost a whole week/fortnight's worth of clothes - if the whole suitcase goes missing.

My clothes usually cost quite a bit so if they've nicked shoes or what not(I usually pack about 3 pairs at around 50-£80 a pair) that's still worth a claim - My excess is £50 so I can still claim for about £100 or so? And I do have some designer gear packed sometimes.

If it was cheap primark stuff then I wouldn't bother, but that's not usually in my suitcase(not MSE I know but.....:o)

Plus I get most of my cosmetics/skincare from Korea and Japan so they can work out quite pricey and I would hate to replace them all from scratch:(

2sides2everystory

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Cable ties

But surely cable ties are easily surreptitiously undone using a pin? And then they can be refastened - then how do you know tampering has occurred? I agree locks are useless. Apron areas at airports are littered with them. I use the twists you get with cables on new electrical items. At least if you put your seal on the way it is twisted / threaded / knotted you stand half a chance of deciding if it has been tampered with. Knotted string would be the same.

Tojo_Ralph

Ye Olde "To Lock Or Not To Lock, That Is The Question" debate ... We haven't had this one for a while.

So to Tojo's logic.

a) Anything that slows down the process of gaining access to goods with the intention of theft is IMHO a deterrent, be it cable ties, padlocks, etc, and yes I know both are easily removed but they still require time.

b) If a zipped case zip handles are not tied off, most cheap/basic zippered luggage is very easy to get into quickly and easily without leaving any tell tale signs, although good quality luggage is not susceptible.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wCwmYQRTrg

c) IMHO good quality hard bodied cases afford the best "protection" for ones possessions be it protection from theft, water/liquid damage or being strewn everywhere when the luggage bursts. Naturally hard bodied cases are heavier, however we are talking security here not cost savings.

My case of choice has three key lockable clasps and a combination lock clasp and whilst I know it would be no major task to a thief to open, its design and quality mean the clasps cannot accidentally open and the body of the case can take a pounding.

The likes of the below would be a good entry level option.
http://www.carltontravelgoods.com/Product/frmProduct_Detail.aspx?SKU=298&cat=20&styid=828&colid=49#

When travelling to the states I simply leave the three clasps closed and unlocked and write the combination next to the lock in indelible pen.... which is then removed with Terps on my return to the UK.

dickydonkin

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Ye Olde "To Lock Or Not To Lock, That Is The Question" debate ... We haven't had this one for a while.

So to Tojo's logic.

a) Anything that slows down the process of gaining access to goods with the intention of theft is IMHO a deterrent, be it cable ties, padlocks, etc, and yes I know both are easily removed but they still require time.

b) If a zipped case zip handles are not tied off, most cheap/basic zippered luggage is very easy to get into quickly and easily without leaving any tell tale signs, although good quality luggage is not susceptible.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wCwmYQRTrg

c) IMHO good quality hard bodied cases afford the best "protection" for ones possessions be it protection from theft, water/liquid damage or being strewn everywhere when the luggage bursts. Naturally hard bodied cases are heavier, however we are talking security here not cost savings.

My case of choice has three key lockable clasps and a combination lock clasp and whilst I know it would be no major task to a thief to open, its design and quality mean the clasps cannot accidentally open and the body of the case can take a pounding.

The likes of the below would be a good entry level option.
http://www.carltontravelgoods.com/Product/frmProduct_Detail.aspx?SKU=298&cat=20&styid=828&colid=49#

When travelling to the states I simply leave the three clasps closed and unlocked and write the combination next to the lock in indelible pen.... which is then removed with Terps on my return to the UK.

Samsonite Hard shell with combo lock - lockable strap sealed with a cable tie.

OTT? Perhaps - but as T.R. quite correctly alludes to above, defeating all of those measures requires time and effort and hopefully deters any would be thief.

As for the US, the same applies and I just hang around the TSA checkpoint until my case has been screened - if it needs opening then I will be present to do it.

No problems so far - Touch Wood!

photome

2sides2everystory wrote: »

But surely cable ties are easily surreptitiously undone using a pin? And then they can be refastened - then how do you know tampering has occurred? I agree locks are useless. Apron areas at airports are littered with them. I use the twists you get with cables on new electrical items. At least if you put your seal on the way it is twisted / threaded / knotted you stand half a chance of deciding if it has been tampered with. Knotted string would be the same.

Have you ever opened a cable tie with a pin? I have never tried but doubt that it would work

photome

Doshwaster wrote: »

Useful information for wannbe baggage thieves - there's often some scissors or nail clippers in an outside pocket

Wannabe baggage theives will take whatever they want, however the case is locked or not