Get a handle on luggage security

You’ve done your pre-trip research, you’ve made your travel arrangements and now you’re ready to think about packing. You have your checklist, but security procedures and theft are constant concerns. Find out how what you put your belongings in can be just as important as what you take with you.

Security and inspection
There’s no doubt terrorist threats have made both airport personnel and travellers increasingly more vigilant in recent years. If you’ve read your governmental advice, you already know to always pack your luggage yourself and never leave your luggage unattended in airports or public places.

Screening protocol for airports is widely publicized, but it’s not just airports where luggage security is an issue. For example, VIA Rail notifies its travellers that rail employees reserve the right to inspect luggage. Each transportation carrier has its own rules and regulations governing prohibited items. You should also beware of restrictions on the size and weight of your luggage, as well as the number of pieces you can check in or carry on board.

To lock or not to lock…<r> Today’s travellers are often unclear as to whether they should lock their luggage, and advice from airlines is often conflicting. For example, WestJet recommends that passengers lock all of their bags. On the other hand, Air Canada’s Security Requirements & Dangerous Goods notes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s policy of cutting off locks if necessary to inspect luggage. Air Canada states that passengers who choose to lock their luggage may face baggage delays and have their locks damaged or destroyed.

Conflicting advice and doubts about the value of locks in deterring thieves often confuse travellers, according to Andrea Fitzgerald, former manager of a store specializing in luggage and travel accessories.

“The biggest misconception people have is that locks are worthless because someone could just break the zipper or cut the case,” Fitzgerald explains. “It’s true; but thieves are more interested in bags they can easily get into without detection. An unlocked bag doesn’t put up a fight, and you can’t immediately tell it’s been tampered with.”

Locks prevent easy access to your luggage, and can be a significant deterrent to another crime that is often overlooked. “People tend to focus on what could get stolen from their luggage, but in some areas of the world people need to be aware of what someone might try to slip into their luggage,” Fitzgerald adds. “Smuggling is a real threat, and the consequences can be pretty severe.”

Furthermore, locks aren’t just for airline travel. They can keep your luggage secure when traveling by train or bus, especially on long journeys in foreign countries. Governmental travel advice, such as the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice for Mexico, warns that long-distance travellers have had their bags rifled while they slept. Locks may not be able to prevent all criminal acts but they can help avert them, and a broken or missing lock is an immediate sign that something is wrong. If you plan to sleep on a bus or train journey, look into pouches than can be worn under your clothing for money and valuables.

TSA-approved locks
While the TSA itself does warn about locks being cut off, their advice recommends an alternative: TSA-approved locks. These locks can be opened with a master key or access device held by airport security, thereby providing access without destroying your lock. Screeners can open, inspect and re-lock your luggage. Some products can even alert you if your lock has been opened. The locks are widely available through retail stores and online services.

A word of caution: not all airports worldwide have the master keys. You should still keep valuables with you in carry-on luggage.

What about luggage seals and shrink-wrap?
Luggage seals (tags that you thread through the zippers on your luggage) and shrink wrapping services are also available as an alternative to locks. The advantage is that a broken seal or cut plastic makes luggage tampering more obvious – therefore the bags are a less desirable target for theft. The disadvantages? Most companies recommend you affix these devices after your luggage goes through airport security. Seals and wrap are broken the first time you open your luggage so they are not ideal for journeys involving multiple destinations.

Think before you buy
If you’re in the market for new luggage – whether it’s adding to your current pieces or investing in a new set – here are some questions you should ask before you buy:

– What size and quality of luggage is best suited for the type and frequency of my travel?
– What locks and security devices are best for my type of travel?
– What ergonomic features does this luggage have? Can I lift and transport it without injury?
– What does the warranty cover, and who is responsible for repairs?
– What are the size and weight restrictions for the airlines or railways with whom I’ll be traveling? Will my carry-on luggage fit in an overhead compartment?

In short, knowledgeable salespeople should be able to match their products with your travel concerns and budget. If they can’t answer your questions, talk to a manager or leave. Is the deal too good to pass up? Ask the clerk to hold the items for you and do some research online before you buy.

One final word of advice from our luggage expert: Don’t overlook today’s hard-sided cases. Recent re-designs now include many of the same handy features as soft-sided luggage, including extendable handles and wheels. The polycarbonate material is lighter in weight than older polypropylene models and offers more protection than soft-sides cases. Soft-side cases often have additional pockets or compartments that require security devices and are subject to tearing or damage.

Travelling smart with your luggage can not only prevent theft, smuggling and lengthy delays, but it also provides you with piece of mind. A little research before you buy can save you a lot of hassle down the road.