A question for all you world travelers

[rolanni]

It has come to my attention that I will be traveling this summer (via train, all the way to the City in the Clouds and back). This means that I will have to find locks, at least two, for my beloved purple backpack (which, by the way, clashes or works against every article of clothing I own. And that is why I Love It. Here's a picture). I thought, of course, that this would be an Easy Project, but locks have gotten complicated since the last time I felt the need to lock something up. (Come to think of it, the dufflebag that goes into through transit prolly ought to get locked, too. My previous philosophy regarding these things was that, if somebody wanted a ratty pair of jeans so bad that they were willing to risk their hand in my luggage, their need was greater than mine.)

Do I really want a TSA-compatible lock? I mean, the reason I'm locking things is to keep people out of my stuff, not to make it easier on them. Which is better, a key-lock or a tumbler-lock? Should I, really, even bother?

Comments

[lagilman]

Honestly, I don't even bother. Of course, I also carry anything actually valuable [electronics, jewlery] in my carry-bag.

(if you do feel the need to lock your luggage, buy a TSA lock. Otherwise, if they're feeling pissy, they'll just cut it off anyway).

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

I usually just use a baggie tie, and I no longer carry jewelry or anything of value.

But then, I've promised myself I won't fly again except out of Toronto or Mexico City.

:)

[patknuth.livejournal.com]

I like combination locks, since I can set them all to the same combination and am more likely to remember it that way, rather than scrambling to find the keys that go with the locks at the last minute. Re the TSA approved lock, I've been assuming that only TSA folks have the keys to open them, since I think they're all combination locks. (I'm probably being horribly naive about that, but I feel better if I can lock the bag)

Post 9/11, pre-TSA locks, I used to use lightweight colored cable ties to seal the bags. But it does require carrying a small pair of scissors (stored outside the locked area) to cut the cable ties once I get to the hotel room. They don't stop anyone who wants in but the bag is obviously not sealed afterwards. One time I didn't bother, and the zipper was working itself open by the time I pulled it off the carousel.

I also like the option to lock my bag while it's in the hotel room. Again, it won't keep out someone determined to get in, but housekeeping doesn't get to rummage through my stuff without me noticing

[wjb3-reads.livejournal.com]

Re the TSA approved lock, I've been assuming that only TSA folks have the keys to open them, since I think they're all combination locks.

No, some are keyed padlocks.

Strictly as an exercise, I hunted TSA locks at a shopping mall. Each lock has a number next to the TSA keyhole so the TSA knows which key to use. If you buy only keyed TSA locks, and keep a list of the TSA keyhole number, it is easy to find most of the keys at a good sized shopping mall.
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[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

I use locks primarily to keep my suit-cases from coming open on their own (it's not like they're ever been very secure). I use cheap, TSA, key locks. (You can also buy expensive ones that have some mechanism to show if they've been opened.)

[papersky.livejournal.com]

If you're going on a train, why do you need locks? I mean you'll be there, it'll be there, other people will be there, thieves won't have anywhere to go, classic locked room system... I've never locked anything on a train, or lost anything either, not even in the US.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

If you're going on a train, why do you need locks?

My very first train trip (which was horrible in many ways, chiefest among them the Sudden Realization that the "room" we were going to be sleeping in was the size of a closet. I was much more fragile in those days, and still having flashbacks to having been locked in a closet as punishment, which for some reason is far more awful than it seems it ought to be, but that's an aside) -- My very first train trip, I had several things stolen out of my bag. This may have been indicative of my state of mind, or the state of my karma, because I haven't ever had anything stolen on a train again.

But.

I was considering locks on the backpack with train stations more than the actual train in mind. I'm not used to having a bag on my back, and will be carrying those things that I don't care to entrust to through-luggage.

[saruby.livejournal.com]

Unless you are flying (which I understand is unlikely), don't worry about a TSA compatible lock. (I had them cut one off of my bag once, anyway!). Now, I just carry valuables in my carryon along with my books and meds (because I have also had the TSA open up my pill case and dump them out, taking a few in the process - I don't get that one, I don't take narcotics). But, it's really a matter of your comfort level. To the best of my knowledge, the TSA doesn't care about rail travel.

[sethb.livejournal.com]

Don't use a TSA lock. All the crooks have keys by now. (Besides, you're not flying, and non-TSA luggage locks have been remaindered and can be purchased very cheaply.)

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Don't use a TSA lock. All the crooks have keys by now.

That was of course my concern.

Besides, you're not flying[...]

Yeah, but Amtrak has recently announced that it will be conducting airport style luggage searches "at need."

[sethb.livejournal.com]

If they want to search your luggage when you check it, open it for them. They don't (as far as I know) claim to be opening luggage arbitrarily while in transit, unlike the thieves of the TSA.

Keyed Alike, TSA and Shipping

[wjb3-reads.livejournal.com]

For Non-TSA locks:
Most locksmiths and some stores have "keyed alike" padlocks. The same key opens all "keyed alike" locks. The key has a number stamped on it. If you want to buy more of the same "keyed alike" locks, you just tell the company the number on your key. I have twelve small Master Lock padlocks that are keyed alike. This gives me 24 keys (for lost keys) and 12 locks (for cut away locks). I can carry two keys, my spouse one, and we can unlock all our luggage.

TSA Locks:
Do not bother with the combination locks, they have a numbered key at the bottom, just stick with the keyed lock. In addition to the lock, use a cable tie. This way you will know if someone opened your luggage.


The idea with luggage locks is not to stop criminals but A) deter them. You want them going after someone else's luggage. B) alert you to the theft. Every person I know who recovered items, or easily stopped credit card theft, discovered the crime early. This cuts down on the suspects, and false credit card charges. If you discover the theft two days and 10 states later, it is almost impossible to recover the item.

Avoiding the issue:
Fedex/ UPS/ USPS insure a package and ship it to your destination. If the hotel will not accept packages, the local USPS office will. Good also for items the TSA does not like. We also mail back our dirty laundry. Then we fill our luggage with souvenirs.
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locks

[(Anonymous)]

locks only keep the honest out