Lock bike box for flight?

IanTrcp

A quick question if I may.

If you have a lockable box/bag for transporting your bike, do you check it in locked or unlocked?

Locked is tempting as mine will have various vital bits and pieces with it that I wouldn't to "lose".

I know that airlines advise against it, but they would wouldn't they?

I also know that most luggage locks (including probably the ones on my Elite Vaison) are made of cheese and can be opened with any luggage lock key.

But I'm still tempted to lock it if only to discourage casual "inspections".

What do others do? Thoughts / experiences please....

ColinJ

I lock my box to prevent casual theft from it. It also stops the box flying open when the baggage handlers drop it (which they do - my SciCon box had a castor broken off it first time I used it ).

I don't rely on the box locks because they can be opened and closed with a small screwdriver or even with a coin! I drilled some extra holes in the box and use a proper padlock.

The main thing which I'd be worried about with an unlocked box would be some scumbag using my bike box to smuggle their drugs into the country. I wouldn't fancy trying to explain to a customs official how a kilo of smack got in there :shock: !

Rich-Ti

Locked - it's your pride and joy godammit! :twisted:

Monty Dog

These days most baggage is X-rayed so shouldn't warrent a 'manual' inspection but they do have the right to open up your luggage if necessary, which includes cutting/removing locks where necessary. If you feel the need to lock your case / bag, then you're better off using a simple padlock that can be replaced easier than using the internal locks which would need to be prised open and therefore far more difficult to replace/secure once forced. With a bag, I'd only use a cheapy lock - too tricky and they'll just cut your bag open anyway! Locks are only a visual deterrent / anti-tamper device rather than providing a wholesale deterrent.

nickwill

I tend to use zip ties on my bike bag. This makes it just a little trickier to open it, but allows customs the opportunity to open it if they feel they have to.