Travel Luggage Anti-Theft Countermeasures

[Fordan]

I don't know about the US, but in Britain I approached both my home insurer and several of the specialist travel insurers, and they all said that the only way they will cover against theft from a bag is if it is securely locked. Given that that is impossible for any flights on American airlines or routing via America, that means their insurance would not be valid. They were quite definite about it. They'll still gratefully accept the premiums of course, but they won't actually pay out.

You can lock checked bags in the US. You just have to use special locks that the TSA has master keys to. They're fairly common to buy within the US, although I'd assume a bit more challenging to find outside the US.

The place where you can run into trouble with locks is at Customs, and that isn't just a US thing. If a bag is delayed, it still needs to clear Customs, generally without you there. I've had an issue two times so far: coming into the US Customs just snipped the lock (they aren't the TSA with master keys), ziptied it after inspection, and sent it on, and Great Exuma in the Bahamas they sent a companion's bag to the hotel when it arrived on the last flight of the night, but I had to take a taxi back to the airport the next morning to claim mine and unlock the bag.

 

[thevalkyry]

I got a set of black luggage as a gift - and dont have any other reason not to use it except that it blends in with everyone else's black bag. I am a knitter in addtion to a diver so I have festooned mine with bits of kelly green yarnage...

Also, to make a redundant plug from elsewhere in the forum: check out YourBagTag.com for awesome, brilliantly coloured, and personalized luggage tags. I got mine on carribeaners for added durability. Note: they also make tank, mask, and BC tags embroidered with your name as well.

 

[Cacia]

They'll still gratefully accept the premiums of course, but they won't actually pay out.

Isn't it really clever the way that works? ...for all insurance, really. I think some of them hope you'll fib or fudge a bit. LOOPHOLE!

 

[tomboyy]

I use bright green zip ties on all my luggage. I tie the zippers together and if TSA needs in they just need to clip it DOHHHH:doh2:
Now everyone knows my color.. gonna have to pick a new one

 

[mike_s]

I use bright green zip ties on all my luggage. I tie the zippers together and if TSA needs in they just need to clip it DOHHHH:doh2:
Now everyone knows my color.. gonna have to pick a new one

how do you cut the zip ties at your destination (or not flying home) ?

I mean I don't think you can take wire cutters in your carry one to cut the zip ties....

(or maybe they relaxed the rule on fingernail cutters).

 

[tomboyy]

how do you cut the zip ties at your destination (or not flying home) ?

I mean I don't think you can take wire cutters in your carry one to cut the zip ties....

(or maybe they relaxed the rule on fingernail cutters).

they have

But this works well when your not flying and your luggage may be out of your control for a bit. Think throwing your bags off to a porter when your going on a cruise

 

[Damselfish]

I think they allow nail clippers now, but I usually keep a pair of nail clippers in an outside pocket of a checked bag. In a ziploc with some extra zip ties.

Of course, even though nail clippers were always fine to check, some idiot broke the handle off of my checked nail clippers. It was a pair without a file, which they used to break off. I guess since there was no file to break off they felt compelled to break something off and is was sort of file shaped. Sigh...

 

[Teamcasa]

I use bright green zip ties on all my luggage. I tie the zippers together and if TSA needs in they just need to clip it DOHHHH:doh2:
Now everyone knows my color.. gonna have to pick a new one

Me too. Only I use Orange or Yellow ones.
I keep a nail cutter in one of the pockets that is not zipped tied.

 

[thevalkyry]

how do you cut the zip ties at your destination (or not flying home) ?

I mean I don't think you can take wire cutters in your carry one to cut the zip ties....

(or maybe they relaxed the rule on fingernail cutters).

I carry one of those honkin' toe nail clippers in the bag with my zip ties inside my travel purse and have never had a problem....except for counting when you pull the zip ties so tight you cant get around them to cut... (word to the wise

 

[Sinbad the Diver]

I always have stickers (address computer label) with the address of where we are staying, as well as our home address and our cell numbers with the country codes, etc) That way, if they need to bring your bag to you, it is easier. I slap them on all bags at the sky cap.

Something to consider.....

Putting your home address on the outside is telling people that you are not home. I always put my work address and cell phone on my luggage.