Do you lock luggage before a flight

[fatgirlswims]

I do this and I thought everyone did

My colleague said they didn't and then we asked another and they said they didn't really know.

I fly quite often and wouldn't check in an unlocked bag.

I know they can opened and search but it still dint want many my pants escaping.

(And yes I use packing g cubes too)

I always lock mine, more for the fact I don't want them zips making there way apart and it opening even though I do put a strap there too

No never have.

I've never locked my luggage (backpack or suitcase).

I think I read on here once to use a cable tie? It can be opened by customs but will also deter a casual thief.

No, I always thought airport staff needed access. I only ever have clothes and wash stuff in there anyway, valuables would be on me.

I lock because I don't want anyone adding anything illegal. The last thing I want is to be arrested on arrival at my destination.

Who's going to be smuggling something into your case airside?

so drug dealers are going to put something in your case … how are they going to retrieve those expensive and valuable drugs afterwards? I have enough trouble identifying my case when it comes round on the carousel. They’ve already managed to smuggle these drugs airside apparently, there must be better ways of getting them to their destination than trying to park them in a random stranger’s suitcase.

Dont put anything valuable in checked on luggage, yes I lock my suitcase and identifying straps/tape. Less chance of it busting open, zips are no guarantee. Padlock was cut off once nothing to see there though

We never travel with checked luggage but if I did I wouldn’t bother to lock it. If anyone wants to get in to it then they’ll do what is necessary.

No, I don’t have anything valuable when I travel. However I do sometimes put the tie for the address label through the zips to stop them accidentally opening on route.

I’m pretty sure anyone looking to smuggle drugs in your bag would easily be able to open a locked suitcase…the codes can be cracked in seconds, and the key ones opened with little more than a paper clip. Then, when the drugs are in and it’s re-locked it looks like you’ve concealed them anyway 😂

Exactly @tryingtokeepgoing which is why (as I said) I'm glad so many people DON'T lock their bags as they'll be much more easily utilised. No code cracking or paperclips required. 😁

@springbabydays but you haven't answered who would be smuggling something into your case when it is airside?

Well, I don't know all the luggage handlers in the world, but I don't necessarily trust them all....

My point was it’s so easy to open a ‘locked’ case it’ll make no difference 😂 Though, as posted above, no one’s going to put anything in airside…there’s no point. So it (vanishingly small chance) will only be done before you get there. Which means hotel or taxi while the case is out of sight. And choosing a ‘locked’ one for contraband is probably the best bet at that point as it’s owner will be more complacent 🤣

OK! 🤣🤣🤣

How would they recover contraband at the other end, if that’s what they were doing…?

Well, I don't know all the luggage handlers in the world, but I don't necessarily trust them all....

They are security cleared. Also don't think you've considered how they would themselves smuggle drugs onto airside before getting to your suitcase. If you don't trust them I think drug smuggling is the least of your concerns. But considering they are out of sight I very doubt a flimsy suitcase lock is going to stop someone from using your suitcase, drug smugglers would target a person, not an easy target looking suitcase, because they need to consider how it will be retrieved the other end.

I use them but as others have said, more to keep the zips closed and as a way to help recognise my case (I have coloured locks). I just came back from holiday and there was an identical suitcase to mine on the carousel (common brand). They’d tied a scarf round the handle so I could see it wasn’t mine. But the lock meant I recognised mine when it did come.

I wouldn’t care too much about clothes but I’d been somewhere where I’d bought some cool stuff which I would be a bit gutted to lose. (Too much to put in carry on). It’s wasn’t stuff I think anyone would want to steal but I wouldn’t have wanted it falling out.

I don’t lock it, I don’t have any valuables in there. Locking it doesn’t keep the case any more shut than zipping it usually so I don’t bother.

All our bags were checked in, unlocked, on a recent holiday to the US. My mum had imitation gold jewellery in there and it was all gone when we got our bags back! Clearly the staff thought it was real 😅

Hey have u seen the price of Markies knickers recently, girl u rich if u wearing those.

I’m another one who only locks it to hold the zips together. I was once waiting at a baggage claim and there was just piles of clothes and pants and toiletries making their way round all over the other suitcases. Eventually a suitcase appeared with the zips open and nothing left inside. Now obviously I’m aware a zip can break regardless. But since that day watching dirty pants travel round the conveyor belt I’ve always just used a lock and a belt thing to at least try and hold the case together.

Electrics and valuables with me, clothes and toiletries in the suitcase. No need.