Originally Posted by
jasonvr
I'm going to be transiting thru JNB a few times in about 2 months and have read about the fairly rampant pilfering from luggage there. One suggestion has been to use zipper straps to prevent thieves from being able to heal the zipper after they split the zipper. One example I have found is:
http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...rap-p-201.html
I just tested the ballpoint method on all my main luggage (B&R, Eagle Creek, and High Sierra) and all were easily split and healed.
Has anyone used a device like this? Any comments on it? It seems like it it might still have a flaw in that the zipper can still move a bit so the would be thief could still split the sipper a bit, reach in, dig around, and then heal the small split.
I would really rather not have to go and get hardside luggage just for this trip (I like our rolling duffels for the capacity the offer), but that seems to be the only suggestion to truly prevent this problem.
I have the Lewis N Clark Triple Lockdown Lock and I like it. I chose this one over the one you listed because it is more versatile. Not only dose it lock your luggage and make it more difficult for a thief to cover their tracks you can also use it to secure your luggage to each other at a hotel or train or to a fixed object like a table leg or chair when eating.
While this or any other lock for that matter will not deter someone that is determined to break into your luggage it will slow them down. I still lock my house and car even knowing someone can in seconds enter either. Time is the worst enemy of a thief and in my opinion any thing I can do to even it is micro seconds to delay a thief is worth it.
There is also reasons to lock you bag other than theft. There has been case where smugglers use unsuspecting luggage as mules to transport illegal contraband.
http://gothamist.com/2011/11/21/bag_...gled_drugs.php
For this reason I may also add Tell-Tag to my luggage.
http://gothamist.com/2011/11/21/bag_...gled_drugs.php
I have yet to read in all my research that any professional in law enforcement recommend not locking your luggage.
Shak