Why are you buying a set of luggage? So my question is does anyone here have luggage with built in locks? I got mine off with no problems and threw it away immediately! And no, the TSA won't contact you to open it for them if their universal key won't work. The last time I locked my bag I was traveling with my brother and SIL. 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. I wouldnt want built on locks. When I lock bag I lock it at 010 and have a piece of tape on the bag that says -- Unlock 000. 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! 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. Never even considered using them, and I don't use locks either. In the past 4 years, I wonder if anyone here has had their lock cut off? My "locking" system revolves around split key rings of different sizes. I have had my luggage opened and searched in American airports, and international airports. 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. My current bag, purchased in the UK, and not sold in the U.S., has a Travel Sentry built in lock. I would expect security to be like minded in their approach to a bag). ( When a fireman needs to open a window in a hurry, he uses his ax. All over the world, they have keys. 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. 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 don't put locks on checked luggage, we just don't put anything in there that can't be replaced easily. Its handy, and theres no separate lock to keep track of, and I can set the combination. If you notice, there is a place for a key. FWIW, Travel Sentry states there are 44 countries, 650 airports and 2 billion passengers annually using their system. The same goes for non-built in locks. I always use TSA approved locks. Is your traveling partner going to use the big bag? Many of the forum travelers do as RS advises and only carry one bag, preferably a carry on size. Can someone remove them? Nor would I count on security taking the time to figure out how to unfasten/open a latching mechanism that looks locked. That's for the authorities who need to get into your bag. Have they caused you any issues? The map is actually interesting. We do the same thing with carry-ons (back packs). It doesn't work like that with checked baggage. I've never been very concerned about my underseat bag when going to the toilet on the plane. oliverjane305 post reported to webmaster for review. Container Store kindly exchanged the bag with the broken lock for a new one. We had luggage "missing" for 1 week in Scilly, a definite inconvenience but found everything we needed. I thought all the built-in locks had to be TSA-compliant for several years as well. Pack for a week, wash, dry, repeat. That's not to say some cheap luggage may not have a TSA approved lock. I agree with others, built-in locks are just a step away from a malfunction. Few in South America, but I know that they didn't cut my lock in Ecuador (which is not on their map). 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). And a few times they were either cut or broken off.. But I have had a TSA approved lock cut off during domestic travel. Nope. 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. We got to the hotel in Ireland and my brother's jammed so he had to borrow pliers from hotel maintenance. I purchased a Samsonite carry-one suitcase with a built-in lock. My regular luggage has a built in TSA approved/Travel Sentry lock. I also use nylon zips on any bag that would need to be checked. Since then, I've not used the built-in lock, but added an external TSA lock when checking. I travel carry-on only, no matter the length of the trip. haha. We'd all gotten the aftermarket double loop cable locks. 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. if it's built in and required to close a suitcase it might then be I have a couple of bags with the built-in comb lock. I have been using Travel Sentry certified TSA approved locks for over 10 years and never had them cut offbecause. Any smart thief would just take the whole thing. I usually have the truly important stuff on me in a money belt and I usually take my small purse with me. I have the same question as Nigel. And if so, where? 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. I almost never lock up my luggage as is. That's not for the user. 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). A new lock is cheaper and less inconvenient than a new suitcase. I never check my bag. Giant luggage makes no sense unless you are moving to Europe, then I would use a box so wouldnt have to store it. 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. 2022 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. If the authorities feel the need to open and inspect them, that occurs AFTER the bag has been checked and not in your presence. 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. It's just the common name given to these type of locks. I left it set at the factory setting of 000. Then you will be in trouble. 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. Yes. an issue. With international travel, especially, the Travel Sentry locks (which is the standard the TSA uses) is hardly universal. I've had notes left in my (unlocked) bag several times stating that it had been opened and inspected. What happens if they are broke or become impossible to use anymore? My newest spinner suitcase comes with a built-in lock compartment, into which tabs on the 2 zippers snap. Is what's in my little bag worth the effort? Maria, Lots of other security options have been offered. Now I just use carabiners as mentioned upthread even though I now check my suitcase. In over 25 years, I've never had one cut off by an airport official or customs . Both have a piece which slips over the handles of the larger bag for easy transport on foot. 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? I use zip ties or carabiners to keep my bags from opening, but don't have anything of value in checked bags anyway. Yes. SIL tried to undo hers in the airport on the way over to get something out and the lock jammed. . Will it take time and effort, probably involving a little cussing? This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. Maybe airline security has opened my locks/bags without damage, maybe Ive never had a bag worth opening, or was just lucky. Its great to be able to set the wheels to my own combination. I'd worry that the built in locks would fail and you'd be stuck having to pry the whole suitcase open. 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. Ive got Eagle Creek padlocks from more than 20 years ago (before 9/11), and they dont have the TSA approved symbol. We finally got a nice person at a store to use scissors and mangle thru the dang thing. On the first trip with it to Ireland on day 4, the lock would not open. And don't let the TSA thing get to you. security person to inspect thoroughly. (The lock will have sort of a red diamond symbol.). This style--Travel Sentry--is becoming a standard around the world. 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. As long as it is "TSA approved" there will be a place for a key. Maybe you just need to be aware of what countries do use it? Finally, we had to break the lock to access my clothes and medication. Do not expect a 'page' from security to come unlock your checked bag. It definitely would be an issue if it got jammed and had to be broken to get into the bag. A real their wouldn't hesitate from cutting open a soft shell bag with a box cutter. 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. Years ago a friend told me to use cable ties/ zap-straps. 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. 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. Honestly, we've never locked a bag; never felt the need to. We checked the online manual for the bag and YouTube videos on ways to bypass the lock - none of which worked. Our luggage 'set' came with a couple of carryon bags small enough to fit under the seat. They left me the lock remains and s note inside the bag. Other countries' inspectors might be even less polite. But my locks have never presented a problem, nor been cut off. 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. That said whenever you need to open them, immediately open them and offer a