locking suitcases

[april]

I read somewhere that you should lock your suitcases..Do you lock them before or after they go through the ex ray machine.I'm talking about the suitcses that are not going to be carried on. Thanks for any help.
April

[april]

I read somewhere that you should lock your suitcases..Do you lock them before or after they go through the ex ray machine.I'm talking about the suitcses that are not going to be carried on. Thanks for any help.
April

[MiketheKid]

My only advice is that if you plan to lock your luggage while flying, be sure to use a TSA approved lock. Otherwise they might cut it off.

[Dave]

quote:

Do you lock them before or after they go through the ex ray machine

Your checked luggage is taken from you when you arrive at the pier - well before it goes through screening and subsequent transfer to the ship. In fact, Carnival's Luggage Information states that you must lock your checked baggage.

[Jim C.]

Anyone that handles baggage for a living and is going to go the route of stealing things from suitcases will have a key that will open the TSA locks anyway. I wouldn't waste the time.

You are better off putting any valuables in carry on baggage and keeping it with you.

[Dave]

And what Jim says in the key thing. The reason we lock our baggage is as a backup to the bags accidently opening. We never put anything in the checked luggage other than clothes. It is amazing to read posts from people who had computers, jewels, cameras, etc., in their checked baggage. Doing stupid things often ends with less-than-desired results.

[Jim C.]

Congratulations go to Dave Beers for the worst pun of 2008! You can pick up your prize on the way, thanks for playing.

I was going to mention the locking them up only to help keep them from coming open, but the TSA locks are expensive if that is the only reason. If you want to keep the zippers closed, twist tie the two zippers together. Then if they want to search your bags they can. Or, safety pin them? Something that if they cut off or don't put back on it is no big deal.

[Berick1234]

Don't put anything in your checked luggage that you can't live without...take the Crown Jewels and Cash in your carry on.....and the twist ties are a good idea...it's not a lock, but just a safety measure....the TSA says not to lock your bags....Happy Crusing

[april]

Thanks Dave, I think that was the answer I was looking for..I thought I read that you MUST lock your suitcase. Now I can lock it at home and not have one more thing I have to do when we get to the port.
I would never put valuables in a checked bag. I think thats what carry on is all about.
Thanks again for every ones help.
April

[CruiseDad]

quote:

Originally posted by april:
Thanks Dave, I think that was the answer I was looking for..I thought I read that you MUST lock your suitcase. Now I can lock it at home and not have one more thing I have to do when we get to the port.
I would never put valuables in a checked bag. I think thats what carry on is all about.
Thanks again for every ones help.
April

I'm in favor of locking the bags to keep honest people honest. Air or ship. My wife and I were early to get TSA locks, so early in fact that some TSA official still felt the need to cut it off, damaging my new suit case in the process. However we continue to use the TSA locks and no more problems have come up. They are not that expensive, look at Targets, couple bucks apiece. The upside for me is my bag was nearly always chosen to open and now with the TSA locks except that 1 time it appears untouched. Go figure

Oh yea and another things. When bags are delivered to your state room they are just left in the passageway, might be nice to have a lock to protect from other guests getting nosey.