How Important Is A Lock For Your Luggage (Airplane)

Question

I am curious, since I leave tomorrow. I have no lock, and am worried my things will get stolen. Is it very important to have a lock? I am going to Europe, I live in Canada.

Answer 1

Most of the answers your above answers are good, if you lock your luggage there's a very good chance it will be cut or broken off for inspection after you check it in and before it's loaded onto the plane. The most important thing when traveling these days is NOT to put anything of value in you check-in luggage if you want to see them again. Keep all valuables in your carry-on luggage and don't bother locking your checked baggage, having a lock makes a bag seem even more suspicious.

Answer 2

It is not important at all.  In fact, you do not want a lock.  The reason for this is because the TSA may ask you to make sure your luggage is unlocked in case they need to manually search it.  If your bag is locked, then they will have you unlock it if you are present, or they will simply break the lock off to access your bag.  It is unfortunate because there are some bad seeds working on the ramp at certain airports that will go through bags and steal items.

Answer 3

A lock is good for piece of mind, but they are not essential, just as long as you don't leave your luggage lying around. Anyway, locks don't provide perfect protection. You can open a locked suitcase in 5 seconds, if you have a good, sharp chainsaw ;-)

Answer 4

Its not that important but i would recommend it. If you do get a lock make sure it is a tsa approved you can find that out on their website tsa.gov. Your things probably will not get stolen. The thing that usually happens it the zipper does not stay closed and you stuff flies all over the ramp.  

Answer 5

I always have locks on my luggages whenever I travel. They usually tell me if there's a need for me to unlock it so they could inspect. I just lock it again after the inspection. Some airports have lock specifications so that they can inspect your luggage even when you're not around.

Answer 6

you aren't allowed to have locks on your bags anymore, it's a TSA rule.