Finally, we had to break the lock to access my clothes and medication. I have had my luggage opened and searched in American airports, and international airports. Other countries' inspectors might be even less polite. . But my locks have never presented a problem, nor been cut off. I wouldnt want built on locks. I agree with others, built-in locks are just a step away from a malfunction. One could choose to not use a separate lock if they wanted, but if it's built in and required to close a suitcase it might then be an issue. In over 25 years, I've never had one cut off by an airport official or customs . My regular luggage has a built in TSA approved/Travel Sentry lock. That's not for the user. Gate-lock carabiners on my carry-on bag to hold the zipper pulls together, which will only deter a determined thief for a few moments, of course, but makes me feel like I'm doing something. Yes. They left me the lock remains and s note inside the bag. Over the years I have had the bag opened a couple of times with no problems. I will just mention that I do padlock my carry on luggage only because I travel solo and often on overnight flights. So my question is does anyone here have luggage with built in locks? I can't imagine a TSA inspector halting the baggage loading process to come up from the bowels of the airport to look for you to politely ask you to unlock your bag. Years ago a friend told me to use cable ties/ zap-straps. It definitely would be an issue if it got jammed and had to be broken to get into the bag. I thought all the built-in locks had to be TSA-compliant for several years as well. It doesn't work like that with checked baggage. I've had notes left in my (unlocked) bag several times stating that it had been opened and inspected. 2022 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. (The lock will have sort of a red diamond symbol.). Pack for a week, wash, dry, repeat. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. security person to inspect thoroughly. Ive got Eagle Creek padlocks from more than 20 years ago (before 9/11), and they dont have the TSA approved symbol. Nope. Is what's in my little bag worth the effort? Maybe airline security has opened my locks/bags without damage, maybe Ive never had a bag worth opening, or was just lucky. A little lock probably wouldnt deter a really determined thief, but having a small, lightweight, simple lock, or lockable zippers, has kept honest people honest, and I know my bags secure - as long as I remember to secure the lock! I also use the purse at my lower back while in the seat with the strap over my body, so it's easy to pull up and over my shoulder to head down the aisle. With international travel, especially, the Travel Sentry locks (which is the standard the TSA uses) is hardly universal. I have been using Travel Sentry certified TSA approved locks for over 10 years and never had them cut offbecause. Our luggage 'set' came with a couple of carryon bags small enough to fit under the seat. I use zip ties or carabiners to keep my bags from opening, but don't have anything of value in checked bags anyway. Now I just use carabiners as mentioned upthread even though I now check my suitcase. Do not expect a 'page' from security to come unlock your checked bag. Its handy, and theres no separate lock to keep track of, and I can set the combination. I travel carry-on only, no matter the length of the trip. I will if it's stored out of sight in the luggage racks of a train or left at the bell desk of a hotel, but will rarely bother when flying. We do check a soft-sided Travelpro bag apiece (not huge but a bit larger than carryon size) when we travel for 2-3 week trips. if it's built in and required to close a suitcase it might then be I'm contemplating getting myself a new set of luggage (I've been contemplating this for awhile but, as you might imagine, have hardly been in a rush what with no real travel in the near future). Have they caused you any issues? They havent been clipped off, and I use them on a day pack on the plane (nice to know that if Im in the restroom, the bags secure), as well as on my suitcase in the hotel room, plus onboard a bus or train. ( When a fireman needs to open a window in a hurry, he uses his ax. I've not personally seen a bag with a lock cut-off, but have seen bags come down the chute with that protective plastic wrap cut away. We finally got a nice person at a store to use scissors and mangle thru the dang thing. This style--Travel Sentry--is becoming a standard around the world. SIL tried to undo hers in the airport on the way over to get something out and the lock jammed. Giant luggage makes no sense unless you are moving to Europe, then I would use a box so wouldnt have to store it. We had luggage "missing" for 1 week in Scilly, a definite inconvenience but found everything we needed. It's just the common name given to these type of locks. A new lock is cheaper and less inconvenient than a new suitcase. Few in South America, but I know that they didn't cut my lock in Ecuador (which is not on their map). Lots of other security options have been offered. I'd worry that the built in locks would fail and you'd be stuck having to pry the whole suitcase open. My current bag, purchased in the UK, and not sold in the U.S., has a Travel Sentry built in lock. haha. Since then, I've not used the built-in lock, but added an external TSA lock when checking. And if so, where? A real their wouldn't hesitate from cutting open a soft shell bag with a box cutter. And don't let the TSA thing get to you. That's for the authorities who need to get into your bag. I would expect security to be like minded in their approach to a bag). an issue. Container Store kindly exchanged the bag with the broken lock for a new one. I have a couple of bags with the built-in comb lock. The last time I had luggage with built in locks it looked like this, https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RETRO-SAMSONITE-SILHOUETTE-HARD-SIDED-LUGGAGE-CASE-20-Y7-1912/114010789737?hash=item1a8b929769:g:vksAAOSwBq9d8Tru. As long as it is "TSA approved" there will be a place for a key. All over the world, they have keys. I left it set at the factory setting of 000. Is your traveling partner going to use the big bag? I've never been very concerned about my underseat bag when going to the toilet on the plane. That's not to say some cheap luggage may not have a TSA approved lock. I got mine off with no problems and threw it away immediately! What happens if they are broke or become impossible to use anymore? We checked the online manual for the bag and YouTube videos on ways to bypass the lock - none of which worked. Will it take time and effort, probably involving a little cussing? But I have had a TSA approved lock cut off during domestic travel. Its great to be able to set the wheels to my own combination. Never even considered using them, and I don't use locks either. My "locking" system revolves around split key rings of different sizes. In the past 4 years, I wonder if anyone here has had their lock cut off? Honestly, we've never locked a bag; never felt the need to. My worry is, with some aftermarket little travel padlock, some security person could just snip it off if they really wanted to inspect your luggage and didn't have a key. We'd all gotten the aftermarket double loop cable locks. I almost never lock up my luggage as is. We got to the hotel in Ireland and my brother's jammed so he had to borrow pliers from hotel maintenance. The same goes for non-built in locks. Why are you buying a set of luggage? The map is actually interesting. FWIW, Travel Sentry states there are 44 countries, 650 airports and 2 billion passengers annually using their system. I have the same question as Nigel. That said whenever you need to open them, immediately open them and offer a While I love the bag because it is a perfect carry-on and very lightweight, I would not purchase another bag with a built-in lock. Sure, someone can steal the entire backpack but more likely they just reach in grab something and hope you don't notice until you are off the plane. The last time I locked my bag I was traveling with my brother and SIL. Maybe you just need to be aware of what countries do use it? Can someone remove them? A number of sets I'm looking at have built-in locks (either combination clasps, or combination locks in to which you secure the zipper pulls). I never check my bag. Any smart thief would just take the whole thing. If you notice, there is a place for a key. I also use nylon zips on any bag that would need to be checked. I purchased a Samsonite carry-one suitcase with a built-in lock. You can snug them right down, and you can always find someone a hotel desk with scissors or a pocket knife to cut them off when you get where you're going. When I lock bag I lock it at 010 and have a piece of tape on the bag that says -- Unlock 000. Should a scan of the bag turn up something that arouses enough suspicion to open and inspect it, they will break it open if it's locked and an approved, universal key doesn't work. If the authorities feel the need to open and inspect them, that occurs AFTER the bag has been checked and not in your presence. But with built-in locks, I suppose we'd hope they'd contact the passenger to open it rather than take a power drill to it? Then you will be in trouble. My newest spinner suitcase comes with a built-in lock compartment, into which tabs on the 2 zippers snap. On the first trip with it to Ireland on day 4, the lock would not open. Yes. I usually have the truly important stuff on me in a money belt and I usually take my small purse with me. I always use TSA approved locks. We do the same thing with carry-ons (back packs). Maria, And a few times they were either cut or broken off.. oliverjane305 post reported to webmaster for review. Nor would I count on security taking the time to figure out how to unfasten/open a latching mechanism that looks locked. Many of the forum travelers do as RS advises and only carry one bag, preferably a carry on size. We don't put locks on checked luggage, we just don't put anything in there that can't be replaced easily. Even going to the toilet can entail wait times in a queue, so if I am asleep or away from my seat and not able to watch my stuff, I feel better with it locked. I guess as long as luggage can be used without the built-in locks, then it's okay, but I wouldn't buy them if there is a risk of having it damaged beyond use. Both have a piece which slips over the handles of the larger bag for easy transport on foot. And no, the TSA won't contact you to open it for them if their universal key won't work.

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