We always use coloured cable ties instead of locks. That way you immediately know if it has been tampered with and not as conspicuous as locks. Years ago we had something stolen out of a suitcase which had a lock and you would not even have know it had been tampered with at all.

Never put locks on bags - never had anything stolen from a bag in many hundreds of flghts around the world - nor wrap it (very messy).

Whether that's cause and effect or just luck I have no idea!

Just to be different - I always put locks on my suitcases ! They are combination locks and I work on the theory that if someone is looking to steal from a suitcase then they want a quick 'in and out' and if they have the choice of a suitcase with no locks or mine with a lock, they will hopefully give mine a miss. I too have never had anything stolen in many years of flying. Bearing in mind the previous replies it probably all boils down to the luck of the draw,

with the millions of suitcases 'flying' around the world the odds are well in your favour that yours wont be tampered with.

I do appreciate that rules and regulations are somewhat different in the USA and my combination locks would probably not be permitted.

Definately agree with everyone else on one thing, anything valuable keep in you hand baggage.

I also put locks on my cases, but I doubt it makes any difference. If they want in, they will get in. A couple of years back, we checked in a 33kg suitcase (before the maximum restriction of 30kg per bag came into effect) at Jhb Airport and we never saw it again. So lock or no lock, they can always take the whole case!

Regards

Ags

I always lock, just to put off those opportunist thieves.

But if you prefer something less conspicuous, but irritating for the opportunist, use the "ring" bit from a cheap keyring to fasten two zip ends together. Obviously it's not failsafe, but still fiddly enough to put off anyone who's just looking for a quick rummage.

Totally non-scientific, but I always feel that a fairly old robust case that looks like most other peoples is the best deterrent.

Maybe not shiny new, locked bags and certainly not matching sets with designer names!

Probably my layer of dirty washing on the top would also put off any self-respecting thief!

I actually cannot believe that anyone travels without locking their cases these days!!! You are always dealing with people that have less than you, so why put temptation in their way? Also, I don't wish for people to put anything IN my bag (drugs and the like) so, at the very least, use cable ties - these are great options.

Why wouldn't you lock your case? Yes, they are fairly easy to overcome but any prospective thief wants the easiest and quickest ie. a case without any lock.

It is also very easy for a thief to put a brick through your car window and steal any contents. By the same logic do you not lock your car?

The theory is that the presence of a suitcase lock - which can be removed using a robust tool in less than one second indicates to thieves that there is something in the case worth stealing. If it's unlocked why bother?

There is no scientific data but those of us who don't lock cases believe it and by definition, if we keep doing it we haven't been robbed!