To lock or not?

TSA is a US agency. Doesn't exist in Europe as they have their own security agencies. So I guess they will not have the keys to a TSA lock. We just use heavy plastic wire ties. At a couple pennies each an inexpensive way to go. If they want in, they will cut them off. In the US the wire ties have been removed and generally replaced with another wire tie but of a different color. Never have had a bag inspected in Europe but assume it would be the same. We always use the ties just keep the zippers closed.

I had assumed the bag was inspected upon arriving in the US (Detroit), but perhaps I was wrong. Thanks for the suggestion of plastic ties.

Why would it be inspected in the US after the trip? It was inspected prior to the first leg of your return home.

DeDe, I always lock my checked luggage with a small TSA Padlock, more to make sure the zippers don't open inadvertently than for any other reason. I've only had the lock cut on one occasion, on a flight from Bristol to Dublin (it was NOT replaced with another lock). If the Lock is removed, I always pack along a few Cable Ties or one-use plastic Flight Locks (available in the Travel Store on this website). I suspect that luggage is ed for inspection at random, so most likely your Lock won't be removed. Having a Lock provides at least a bit of protection from "opportunistic theft". Happy travels!

These responses have been very helpful. I do want to point out that bags are often inspected when arriving at Customs in the US - not for reasons of terrorism but for illegal products such as food, plants, etc. The difference is that we've always been with our luggage in the past when it happened, and could open the locks ourselves and put them back on. From now on we'll just use the cable ties as suggested. Thanks so much again!

We went through several journeys using nothing on our convertible carry-ons. Then we tried locks and found they were a nuisance. On the last two trips we have used the little carabiners that are made for key rings. There are two kinds, the spring loaded gate and a threaded nut that screws up and down to close the carabiner. We have the latter. With cable ties you need a tool to open them, cut them, etc. Not so with the little carabiners.

I don't bother locking my bags any more........not only are the locks bound to get cut off if they're ed (sometimes at random) for inspection, but also I really don't want to draw attention of potential thieves to my bag. I'd far rather my bag say "nothing to see here" and blend into the background.

I have locked my checked luggage since having some suitcase contents stolen in Africa several years ago. I travel mainly in the emirates, south asia, UK and continental europe and have never had the locks removed. I am aware that I can be asked to open the case and always know where the keys are, but have never been asked to do so. I think your suitcase was probably opened by an unscrupulous luggage handler, looking for valuables, rather than a member of the customs staff.

I try not to check bags but when I do, I never bother locking my bag. The only things I put in my suitcase are clothes and shoes and if thieves / security people really want to go through my bag, they are welcome to it. All that stuff is replaceable, and I don't bring clothes or shoes that I really care about. I feel much more strongly about checking bags in the first place, ever since US Airways lost my bag for my whole trip one time. If you don't put anything of value in your checked bag, you shouldn't worry about locking it.

As someone who flies often, I sometimes check a bag and if I do I always put a TSA lock on it. I have never lost a lock flying between US and Europe and return nor anywhere in the US. I have only had the lock opened once and found the "letter" inside. I figure if mine is locked and the next one is not, the bad folks will open the non-locked one due to their interest in saving time. Maybe I am just lucky. Whenever I check a bag, I put nothing of value inside but the most times I only check a bag if I am traveling with something that is prohibited inside the cabin like liquids or such.

Well, I was riding in the Hertz bus in Cincinnati today and a guy said that the TSA lock that his wife insisted he get had vanished between there and NY. I used to lock, but I don't any more.

I don't lock,, for same reasons as Sarah,, anything of value is with me in my purse or carry on,, no one is going to take my clothes ,, they just are not that valuable. What do people put in checked luggage that they think may be stolen?

I don't lock my bags BUT- I always secure them with the plastic ties.
The reason is- I don't want someone to be able to slip something IN my luggage once it's out of my possession.

Another traveler who uses the plastic ties with a nail clipper in an outside pocket.

I was traveling in the states and had my TSA approved lock cut off my golf travel bag. Since then I use cable ties and leave a note asking the inspectors to please use the additional cable ties to re-secure my bag. Sometimes they do sometimes they don't, I figure if any thing is missing I file a claim.

Maggie - just curious - what would someone slip into your luggage?

Someone could slip something into a bad as a way of smuggling.......so their bag checks out fine, then they find a way to vandalize or steal yours later to retrieve their item(s.). But I don't know why a plastic tie would keep them from doing that if they wanted to.