Wrap, lock or leave bag when flying

D

D3x!

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Hi All,

So what are your thoughts on the following when flying overseas and having to check a bag in:

1.) wrapping?
2.) Locking?
3.) just leaving it as is

Thx,
D3x!
 
Always lock!

Once the lock got broken and the zip was opened and I found everything messed up in the bag.

On my previous two trips leaving SA to overseas had my bag cut each time with a pen knife.

It depends on what type of bag you have. Can it easily be cut open e.g. thin Material?
The backpack type bags are very susceptible to this as they have small compartments.
 
skimread said:
Always lock!

Once the lock got broken and the zip was opened and I found everything messed up in the bag.

On my previous two trips leaving SA to overseas had my bag cut each time with a pen knife.

It depends on what type of bag you have. Can it easily be cut open e.g. thin Material?
The backpack type bags are very susceptible to this as they have small compartments.
Click to expand...

a rectangular wheel type luggage bag.

my thoughts are though do the guys think you have valuable stuff if you lock it and thus better just to leave it. i wont actually have valuable stuff in besides clothes etc just not lekker to lose stuff or have it looked through.
 
Wrapping looks fugly.
Experience has taught me not to lock it - if customs wants to open it, they'll open it. If they can't open the lock, they cut the zipper-thingy.
 
Nothing of value, and locks + cable ties.

Wrapping draws attention.

Not locking will invite a rummage.

Statistically you have a 1% chance of pilferage.
 
froot said:
Wrapping looks fugly.
Experience has taught me not to lock it - if customs wants to open it, they'll open it. If they can't open the lock, they cut the zipper-thingy.
Click to expand...

have you seen the video where they dont need to break anything ...they use a pen at the start of the zip and start ripping ...and then move the zipper back to start and zip closed

best thing is to wrap ...bag stays closed and if you dont have anything to disclose then theres no need to open the bag

IIRC its like r50 a bag ...

dont put any valuables in luggage ...keep laptops, mp3 players , ipads cameras all in hand luggage
 
samr1wp said:
have you seen the video where they dont need to break anything ...they use a pen at the start of the zip and start ripping ...and then move the zipper back to start and zip closed

best thing is to wrap ...bag stays closed and if you dont have anything to disclose then theres no need to open the bag

IIRC its like r50 a bag ...

dont put any valuables in luggage ...keep laptops, mp3 players , ipads cameras all in hand luggage
Click to expand...

The last few times I have flown to the UK with VA .... They wrap the bag when you join the book-in queque
 
Security can Xray. . When you arrive at your destination they check your luggage once you picked it up so then you can unlock it for them.

Any valuable stuff in your hand luggage. I only put clothes in my big luggage.
If you have a new pair of shoes that you think might get stolen then fit in your hand luggage. You can always put your smaller hand luggage bag in your bigger bag once you reach your destination if you don't want to carry many bags around.

a rectangular wheel type luggage bag.
Click to expand...
OK those bags you don't really have to worry about that muchas they don't have little side pockets and the skin is difficult to cut open with a pen knife.With that type bag I haven't had problems before apart from the lock being broken. Get the biggest type of lock that fits and can't be forced broken. You also get those straps/rope to wrap around the bag that will be a further deterrent.
So not really necessary to plastic it.
 
samr1wp said:
thats nice cause i paid like around 10 euros i think to wrap it in germany ....
Click to expand...

I have never paid to have the bag wrapped.

& as far as locking the bag is concerned...

I normally visit family = there's mall pliers I can open the bag with after I had locked the bag with 2 cable ties.
 
ChilliGirl said:
I have never paid to have the bag wrapped.
Click to expand...
Must be the airline you traveled with. I only had mine wrapped 2 out of 10 free by the airport and the reason the wrapped is and that was to an African country.

For multi stop overs/transfers I always wrap. Pay myself.
The norm I found with airlines is they don't wrap and wrapping is charged for by 3rd party companies at the airports
 
ChilliGirl said:
I have never paid to have the bag wrapped.

& as far as locking the bag is concerned...

I normally visit family = there's mall pliers I can open the bag with after I had locked the bag with 2 cable ties.
Click to expand...

the thing is i dont have youtube access ....theres a video where they show how easy it is to open a locked or cable tied bag with a pen ...thats why i rather wrap
 
At OR tambo I was told that wrapping is free for night flights as there is a greater risk of pilferage at night. I guess with more time between departing planes.

About valuables, the travel insurance never covers any electronic items in your check in luggage so it should always be in your cabin baggage. I don't bother locking because every time I locked its been tampered with. If it is tampered and you have lost stuff they pay for emergency things like clothes and shoes. I think 2 or 3 pairs of designer jeans should cover the loss of a lot of items! Speaking from experience!
 
Well my gf had different locks on her bag when she picked them up off the conveyor. They took her ones off, and put others on (and they looked completely different - blue instead of brass). Also... those little locks you buy all open with the same key, it's retarded.

The number of times i've heard my friends have their bags opened... even with locks, is scary.

That being said, I still just lock mine for domestic flights... but when I go international again, I will be wrapping them.
 
The baggage handling area has wrapping facility as well so don't think that wrapping it is that safe. It might just discourage them if they are very busy. I have found that a hard shell case has less chance of being opened as it doesn't have any zips.

Best bet is to keep the expensive stuff on you like electronics. With the new security requirements around liquids, especially Europe and the US, you have to leave your aftershave and those type of things in your bag. Those things are even more expensive that shoes these days and easier to conceal when stolen.
 
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