"Pacsafe" for traveling with packs

“It's a security mesh that encloses your backpack and can be padlocked to prevent tampering from airline handling or even while traipsing through the city in fear of pickpockets.

I couldn't believe the deal I got on this thing from SierraTradingPost!! 25 friggin bucks, when I've seen the large size elsewhere for up to $100. It's a good deal, if you're in the market-

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.85584/dept_id./est./qx/product.htm”

“I don't believe you can use that on airlines anymore.

_{Hence the discount?}
last edited: 7/13/05 7:50:39 PM”

“are you KIDDING me?!?!!”

“when I checked in my pack they asked me if anythign was locked. I don't think they will let you use anything that locks.

I have my backpack in a military duffle bag...it's hard to get the stuff out... and back in...so they think twice. LOL

and they...it always looks really cool if a girl picks up a heavy dufflebag from the bagage claim.

j/k...but really they did ask me if anythign was locked. i should ask them tommorrow when I fly to Cali...”

“well, I can leave the lock off, if need be for the airline...but I'll definitely need it for my wanderings in Quito. I don't undestand what the issue would be...most people lock their luggage!

Any info appreciated...I leave in a few weeks.”

“those little luggage locks get busted open sometimes now too.

i dont think your sposed to lock anything up any longer.

bummer”

“You can no longer lock luggage. It will be broken into and searched. I use a XXL duffle bag for carrying my pack. Depending on the airline, you may be able to open and show the contents of your pack and then lock it. Some airlines just toss it on the luggage rail and away it goes, to be searched in back by some airline monkey.
Check with your airline, and good luck.

btw...I've had a few things missing from my pack when I picked it up. (Stove/Cookware)Carry a detailed list of your pack contents in order to prove what may be "lost" during its handling.”

““well, I can leave the lock off, if need be for the airline...but I'll definitely need it for my wanderings in Quito. I don't undestand what the issue would be...most people lock their luggage!

Any info appreciated...I leave in a few weeks.”
AmyG
8:07:00 PM
7/13/05


Yup, you can;t lock them anymore, in case they need to get into it. you know, after the 9/11 scare.”

“as for travelling with it, I would put your bag in any place where you have to rely on it. Try to keep it with you if you're in the least bit shady situation. If you're in a local bus try to keep it inside - maybe some story about diabetes medication will work.
I guess if they make you put it on the roof of a bus or something then it might be useful, or for locking it up in a hotel room or sommit.”

“I purchased one of these things prior to my first visit to Europe in 1999. I was there for 1 full month and visited several countries. After a 3 day visit to Amsterdam, I boarded a jet which landed in Detroit where I was greeted by one young customs agent and surely several security cameras. The agent had never seen such a security system and wished to see what I was protecting. I showed him several thousands of bucks worth of cameras before he allowed me to continue my travels.”

“you can lock your baggage locks if they have the TSA symbol on them. Combo's and key locks...they are usually sturdier also...you can find them at all stores. The TSA symbol shows the bag inspector in the back that they don't have to cut it if it comes up as a screen item (my scuba gear bags are checked 100% of the time..Always have a special sticker on the check tag and a lil note inside the bag) The locks with the TSA symbol are coded 001-004 and have universal tools to open and relock”

“Thanks for the info, everyone. Very helpful to know ahead of time. Opie, where do you get a "TSA" lock?”

“I bought my TSA approved locks from Magellan. They are bright yellow and have a combination for me to use and a key slot for TSA to use thier mater keys. These locks are good enough to use on airlines where any dishonest airline employees (the vast majoirity are honest) or bad actors in the baggage claim area see the locks and will move on to something that will not hamper them.

Once I collect my pack from baggage claim, however, I change to a bigger more sturdy lock for anywhere outside the airport.

With a "pack safe" you can even lock your pack to a light pole if you want to go into a store that will not let you bring it in. Just make sure it is a light pole and not just a street sign. Someone tall can lift the pack high enough to get the pack safe over the top of the pole and walk off with it”

“

These guys are always making off with packs hooked to light poles!”

“"Depending on the airline, you may be able to open and show the contents of your pack and then lock it." This is what happened to me in LAX. They asked if my bag was locked. I said yes. They had me go over to a little security area and had me unlock it. Took a couple of minutes.”

“i've seen tsa locks at the samsonite outlet store here, walmart, target, sharper image, office depot, dillards, jcpenneys, sears, everywhere has them in the proper section”

“awesome - great info on the locks and stuff. Thanks guys. It would have sucked to find all of this out the hard way. :)”

“this device worked out great on my trip - equipped with the tsa-approved lock, it enabled me to check my pack without worrying (much). One note for future: the metal wiring on the pacsafe snags a bit at your pack. I ended up with a few pulls in the nylon and one of my straps got a bit chewed. I think for future, I will cover my backpack with some sort of protective cover before putting the lock-netting around it.

The pacsafe was PERFECT for when I stayed in a few different Hostels in the city of Quito (shared rooms). I could lock everything up and secure the whole pack to the bed to prevent any possibility of theft. This way, I could go out and explore the city with just my daypack and leave the weight safely behind for the day.”

“...am I going to wake up in the morning inside of it at the next FYAO?”

“...if you're lucky...”

“LOL!

Gremlin will be sleeping with only one eye closed.”

“hummmm - a vision of AmyG in leather with whips and chains comes to mind - now _that_ would be a TT trip that will live in the history of this crazy group of demented folks”

“hmmm...I hadn't thought of that particular use, although the pacsafe is very versatile.

moooohahahaaaa!”