Re: TSA padlock
Can only laugh at this thread TBH.
Yes, TSA locks are horribly unsafe because any old villain will have the key that simply unlocks the padlock and which overrides the combination.
Having a TSA lock is essentially the same as having no lock at all, just utterly pointless. The ONLY reason you would ever get a suitcase with one is because you are traveling to the USA (or other country that mandates them).
However, my opening statement was made not because of the TSA locks but because of the fundamental foolishness in having any suitcase with a zip.
It matters not one jot what your lock is if you have a zip because if there is a zip then anyone, even a child, can poke a knife blade or stiff pin anywhere into the zip and force it open with consummate ease. As we all have witnessed in the past zips just zip open once they are breached. How many times have you had a jacket unzip at the wrong end?
So understand that if you use zipped cases your are just putting your luggage at risk and ensuring that thieves will favour your case.
The better option is to go for a hard shell "Clam" style case.
These have no zips whatsoever. They shut hard and are secured by latches and locks in multiple places.
In addition you should always strap your cases once packed with strong "seatbelt" style straps, mostly to protect in case of a fall to stop the case splitting open and spilling the contents everywhere.
A strapped hard shell clam case would be ignored by a thief if there are more easy zipped cases with silly locks imo.
Don't scrimp when it comes to buying luggage cases. Expect to pay many £100s for a good set. Don't get tempted by brands like Antler at retail outlets. Order online from very respected brands like Samsonite and Delsey and so on.
Take a look at American Tourister cases (a sub brand of Samsonite) if you are travelling to the USA.