locking your luggage

[Caitlin2009]

now im gonna be locking my luggage before i go, Denise told me to do that to deter thieves, but i read on the american airlines website that sometimes the locks can break off when going through the machine, so how do you prevent that from happening?

[Moon]

Don't try locking your luggage, unless you are using TSA approved locks, otherwise the TSA will cut them off if your luggage gets picked for a search. https://www.tsa.gov/travelers/custom...agedlocks.shtm

Denise, being in the UK, does not have the TSA to deal with, and may not be able to give you accurate answers you need for US departures. Check around that website, it will tell you everything you need to know.

[London-FortCollins]

Definitly should lock it but as Moon said make sure they are TSA approved.

Most of the shops at the airport will sell them and it will state on the packaging that they are TSA approved.

Basically it means that they have a special "fit all locks" key that opens it without breaking it and can then close it again safely.

My suitcase got TSA checked when I was in the States but I had the right locks (about £5 in the UK - maybe about $7 tops over there?) and I didnt even know until I opened it and theres a little slip in there that states they checked it.

[Silviar]

You're not allowed to lock luggage unless it's with a TSA approved lock.

[London-FortCollins]

Sorry by "they" I meant TSA staff.

The padlocks are normally combination, and then there is a small key lock. The TSA staff have a key that unlocks all TSA approved locks.

I have a feeling I made these posts much more complicated than necessary...

[Zephii]

I never lock my luggage. Really, what's the point? The airline people don't care what you have, the security people might feel like cutting your locks off anyway and you'll be there at the baggage place to collect your stuff at the end of the flight and everyone else is more concerned about getting their stuff rather than yours, and besides that international airports have a wackload of security... Or maybe I'm simply too trusting.

[lucybelle]

You don't need to lock it. Just make sure it won't burst open on its own. I had that happen once, luckily nothing fell out. And really if you're only going to be there for a short while (1-2 weeks) I would suggest you try to fit everything into a carry-on.

[Caitlin2009]

You don't need to lock it. Just make sure it won't burst open on its own. I had that happen once, luckily nothing fell out. And really if you're only going to be there for a short while (1-2 weeks) I would suggest you try to fit everything into a carry-on.

my carry on bag thing is not big enough for that and uh heh....need to bring other things ehem.....*innocent look*

[Stephanieeee]

Ah, dammit. Thanks for the reminder. I leave in 3 days and I completly forgot about locks for my bags. Ill probably just go without one, BUT just incase, does anybody know what locks are 'tsa' approved ones?

[Riyko]

Ah, dammit. Thanks for the reminder. I leave in 3 days and I completly forgot about locks for my bags. Ill probably just go without one, BUT just incase, does anybody know what locks are 'tsa' approved ones?

Any lock that has a red circle around the base of where the lock locks, plus it will also say on it TSA approved. The best ones are samsonite and they look like this (the picture will also show you what I mean by the red circle)

[Caitlin2009]

well if they are at the dollar store i will get them tomarrow if not im going with the lock i have, im not paying $7 for a lock!

[London-FortCollins]

I don't know if that's definitly how much they are. Just a (very!) rough guesstimate.

I suppose it's true you don't really "need" a lock for security necessarily but I always have one just in case - mainly because it does indeed help stop them bursting open.