Travel Tips..Do you use luggage straps?

[decocritter]

I really don't want to check my bag, but if I do I hate that security wrecks it.

Do you use non-locking luggage straps?

What are you favorite travel tips?

[SDGuy]

[quote decocritter]I really don't want to check my bag, but if I do I hate that security wrecks it.
Do you use non-locking luggage straps?
What are you favorite travel tips?
I use a TSA approved luggage strap, although really more for easy ID at the luggage carousel (it's bright fluorescent green). For additional security, it's a joke - anyone with a knife could get right through it, or just loosen it by hand so that it's no longer snug.

My favorite tips:
ALWAYS bring a carry-on with one day's worth of clothing and anything else you can't live without. Pack it with the mindset that your checked luggage will be missing for at least a day or two.

DON'T put anything valuable in your checked baggage. I have had multiple friends lose things that way.

Bring an iPod along, with either noise-cancellation or isolating earbuds.

If you haven't flown in awhile, go here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/a...index.shtm to know how to be prepared and what to do at security screening

Even though you'll likely encounter a brain-dead TSA employee at some point - just be polite to them and follow their instructions. Mouthing off will NOT help you get through security faster.

[M>B>]

There are TSA approved luggage locks out there, such as...

http://www.masterlocktsa.com/apps/tsa/wh...-locks.jsp

[dk62]

I travel at least once a month domestically and at least 5 times a year internationally. Never used luggage straps, but I use quality luggage and am aware I have to replace it every few years. Having minimal change of clothing in carry-on is good advice, but if your luggage does get lost, you could be without clothing for the full duration of the trip. I can tell you that being in Spain is no fun if you are 6' 3" and have no luggage. Fortunately, losing (actually, delaying for 2 weeks) luggage happenned to me only once in the past 6 years of intensive travel.

[Chupa Chupa]

I've never really understood why people bother with luggage straps... or locks for that matter. I know my luggage like a kid knows his parent's voice. My sentiments echo what dk62 said. If you are going on a short trip then def. try and carry your bag on. You'll save a half hour not waiting for your bag to come up.

[Dick Moore]

I use a bright yellow 2" nylon strap primarily to make it easy to grab and also to ID my bag. Bags really do look alike, especially if you're tired or in a hurry. My wife used one like mine, but several weeks ago on a flight to NYC from Seattle, her bag arrived at JFK but the strap didn't. I assume some TSA person didn't want to waste time looking for the huge plastic clasp that easily unsnaps and just cut the strap off. The bag had obviously been rifled thru by security. 'Course, maybe the strap, with a couple of tons of breaking strength, just broke or something.....

[tuqqer]

90% of the time, I only use carry on. I'll actually mail stuff to the location hotel if I have bulky gear that I need to bring, just to avoid dealing with checked in bags. I've also learned to travel very lightly. I'm going to Durban, South Africa next month, and I'll only be bringing a midsize floppy carry on.