Do I "Need" a luggage lock in the US?

8/19/2014 10:20:23 PM

The primary purpose of most luggage locks is not to guard against a bag being opened by unauthorized persons, but rather to ensure that the bags don’t get opened by things they brush against. They may also provide some protection against the possibility of a bag being opened by the owner of a similar-looking bag who mistook it for his own (unless that other person by some coincidence happened to choose an identical-looking lock for his own bag, the sight of the unfamiliar lock on his bag should prompt him to examine the rest of the bag more closely). Even before 9/11, small luggage locks were usually manufactured with interchangeable keys, and were not expected to provide security. I think the “TSA slots” were primarily intended to save work for TSA personnel, rather than allow them to do anything they couldn’t do otherwise.

As to whether you “need” a luggage lock, I would suggest that would depend largely upon the types of closures used on your baggage, and the likelihood that items could get lost if the bags open partially or fully while they are in transit.

8/19/2014 2:55:15 PM

Baggage theft in the USA is no worse than in Europe, as long as you have no valuables in your luggage you have no worries.

And for the opportunistic thief, a lock is a flag that says there maybe something worth stealing in the bag.

I never lock my bags, and with more than a million miles flying have only lost one maglight flashlight out of my bags in all those flights.

8/19/2014 2:02:32 PM

TSA approved travel locks are a joke.

  1. TSA (and anyone who cares) has a master key which will open it.
  2. The locks are very light weight, and easy to break.

So, in my opinion, a TSA-approved lock is good for exactly one thing: Slowing someone down who might try to get into your bag in your presence. That is to say, on a bus, or train, or in the airport.

Once your bag is out of your possession, such a lock won’t protect you from anyone except a theoretical honest thief who is willing to steal your items, but unwilling to break your lock.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

Search Posts

Latest posts

Popular posts