Items stolen from checked baggage.

[florida4sun]

I never put padlocks on my cases. If you are a thief and have a brief window, you will go for cases that have locks on. Any suitcase lock is very easy to open without the key. Or they simply snip them off.

[caroline]

I never put padlocks on my cases. If you are a thief and have a brief window, you will go for cases that have locks on. Any suitcase lock is very easy to open without the key. Or they simply snip them off.

I agree Martin, for similar reasons I don't buy expensive luggage!

[Gerry Reed]

I do use locks, but hide them under the straps that we put around each case so they are not immediately obvious and there is less chance of them catching in a conveyor belt etc . The brightly coloured straps also act as a secondary closure if the zip bursts and help to identify our cases on the conveyor belt. We have some bought in Disney a few years ago and few people going to Florida already have Disney straps. I fully agree about not using obviously expensive or designer luggage - although no cases are cheap now days ! I also pack a towel last of all, spreading over the entire case and tucking it down the sides so that small items will not fall out if the case is damaged. At the end of the day I try not to put anything valuable in my case - and who would want my second hand clothes ?
Sue

[florida4sun]

Have a good service from Samsonite cases. TSA locks built in (if you want to use them). The cases has travelled all over, being abused and never suffered damage. Also I have never had one tampered with. Zips are easy to open and slip your hand in, even if you have straps around.

[msmiff]

If you need to be convinced how pointless it is to lock your luggage from a theft point of view, just Google "Open A Locked Suitcase With A Pen"

& find the UTube video......
Just tried it & it works [msnsad]
Oh, & it doesn't damage the case or leave any mark !!!!!!

[syrup]

Since the days when you were not allowed to lock your cases when leaving the USA I haven't bothered, both zip type and Samsonite and that's fifteen times. I have had them opened a couple of times but have never had anything missing. I've always carried anything of value (sat nav, camera, ipod e.t.c.) in my hand luggage.

[Lizb]

Like Keith we never lock our suitcases, only ever had one looked into and they left a note saying they had done so.

[Katys Grandad]

Sorry, but I've got to ask this of those who leave cases unlocked!

If it's possible to open them/look inside/put a hand inside how can anybody be sure that their bags haven't been inspected?

[caroline]

You can't be sure! However several times I've had notices inside our cases to say that they have been inspected by US Customs.

[florida4sun]

They are bound to have been inspected. Inspection is not the problem as they are in rooms with CCT. Theft is by opportunist handlers.

Sorry, but I've got to ask this of those who leave cases unlocked!

If it's possible to open them/look inside/put a hand inside how can anybody be sure that their bags haven't been inspected?