Originally Posted by GB
I never lock my luggage. I don't understand why anyone would put anything of great value in their luggage, lock or no lock. Carry on the valuables and leave the checked luggage unlocked. Never had anything stolen either.
I agree with you with one exception - international flights, especially to countries like Singapore. You don't want someone putting drugs or other contraband into your luggage at your origin (they know where you're going) and have their "mate" steal your luggage on the other end after you've left the airport, or at the airport itself. You become an unwitting courier for them and on the off chance the customs folks at SIN or HKG or PVG or BKK search your luggage and find the drugs they'll just take you out back and shoot you, that's all.
At least if you lock your luggage and you find it to be broken at your destination without a TSA sticker or card on the inside you have the chance to do something before you walk through customs and out of the airport.
About a year ago I took CX ex-JFK and after the luggage was screened by TSA I was given the opportunity, at the CX agent's strong recommendation, to put a lock on the luggage with CX agent looking over my shoulder. Seems they might know something.