Originally Posted by
mrscherry2000
Was planning on securing my check in luggage with a colored plastic zipper tie instead of the TSA lock during my trip to Tanzania in August. If they needed to open it, they'd cut it off and replace it with one of their generic black zipper ties. Just occurred to me, I don't know how I'd get it cut off once I'm at my location since I can't carry scissors or a knife on me? Any ideas?
Put a pair of cheap scissors or wire cutters in an outside pocket of the checked luggage, one that you can access independent of the main cavity that is sealed with the plastic ties. Even a nail clipper should work. And, actually, you could carry a nail clipper in your carry-on luggage.
By the way, you cannot assume that TSA will replace your plastic ties if the screeners need to do a physical search.
One suggestion: pack extra zip ties in the same exterior pocket of the luggage, so if the screeners cut off the ties, they will have replacements immediately available and are more likely to put them on.