Ahead of our trip, we want to buy suitcases. A lot seem to have side zips as well as zipping around the main case.

I'm concerned it could be easy for someone, somewhere along the chain, to put something in a zip bag... from what I've seen, even if it's padlocked.

I've heard you can have a case plastic wrapped but that doesn't seem practical if having a stopover on the journey.

How do other BE's secure their cases when travelling?

Never had a problem- I just padlock the zipped pockets -there are usually two zippers so it is easy to slip a small combi lock through both.

Same here.


As long as you aren't going to bali, you'll be fine.

Attaching things to cases does increase the likelihood that the case will get caught up on the conveyor systems - the number of locks found at LHR still attached to the zip (or not) is amazing (used to pass quiet times unlocking combination locks found under conveyors LOL). Don't put a strap around a case either - when the conveyor stops, the case continues inside the strap and can get jammed. Always avoid cases where the wheels extend outside the case area - they don't stop on conveyors either. Can't vouch for any airport other than LHR, but baggage handling / routing is all automated except at the point where they are loaded which is heavily monitored on cameras (as are all areas although there are blind spots). If someone really wants to get in your case they will regardless of if you add padlocks, but most damage is caused accidentally.

For anyone travelling, always worth adding a slip inside the case detailing travel details incase the airline label is lost - helps re-unite you with your case. If the bag tag is lost, then your case will be opened to identify traveller.

Even if you do have padlocks your suitcases can still be opened

Shocking video shows how easy it is to break into a suitcase | Mail Online

Just make sure you get insurance and keep your valuables on you.

Put duct tape over locks/fastenings, initial it, then you can see if it's been disturbed. Take extra tape with you

I travel internationally every month (currently on Singapore, China, Germany lap) and domestically in between. I never bother locking my bags, waste of time..only shows people that you have something valuable in there.

I have a hard shell case. No pesky padlocks outside as the latches have locks on them.

The only time I've had anything stolen from my suitcase was by American TSA agents in Honolulu. I know it was them because the item was in my case when I checked in but missing when I picked it up in Auckland. They even left a nice note saying they had searched the bag.

This is weird.The thread shows you as the Op but the answers are in the wrong order.(I definitely haven't been drinking)

Ignore me.It is now the correct order.

Carry your valuables the way that Papillon did ! (In a "charger" inserted in his rectum !)

just go and buy hard cases, yes they are more expensive, but for peace of mind, it's worth it.

Wow did you work with my son at LHR?
Worked for a well known UK airline, baggage department. Not saying this because he was dishonest, he wasn't, but had on numerous occasions to gain entry to lost not claimed bags. There isn't a suitcase he couldn't get into in one a few minutes.
2nd above tip about putting name and adress inside case.
Also do not put a red ribbon on a black case, his reply to such a case was which of the several possibly hundred do you think might be yours!!!
You won't believe some of the things he found when trying to trace the owners.
250.000 UK pds once!!!
It's the luck of the draw, have travelled more flights than I care to remember as ex airline, then married to a pilot since the 1960's with all types of suitcase, and only once had a problem, but could happen on your first flight ever.

Agree with this. If someone is going to nick something out of your bags, puny locks are not going to stop them

And people putting stuff into your bags is a bit of an urban myth IMO. Not saying that it has never happened but would be so rare as to be a non-issue. Corby tried that defence and the court showed her what they though of it

There's a glitch in the system and it's making this happen every now and then. People who shall remain nameless have being taking the piss out of me when I've mentioned it so it's very reassuring when others notice it.