So, whats your favorite

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by mrm777

Ziptie luggage before checking......helps discourage rifling through your stuff.

Not really. Have a look at Getting into luggage without unlocking it.

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by Okc_diver

I saw a video on youtube about those TSA locks. It showed one being picked. The guy had several types and I believe 2 were TSA locks 1 was a master lock I don't remember what the other types were.

Had two bottles of booze stolen from my luggage last year. I had TSA locks on the luggage. Whoever broken into the luggage removed the locks and put them back (they put the locks on through the pull tabs instead of the lock holes).

Googled picking TSA locks and found dozens of videos on You Tube. Gave it a try with the nail file that comes on nail clippers. First attempt took me 7 seconds. After the 10th attempt I could open the lock in under 2 seconds.

TSA locks are a JOKE. I now understand why I see people at the airport with their luggage totally wrapped in plastic cling wrap. Stops people from picking the TSA lock and doing the zipper trick (see previous posting with a You Tube video link).

Unless something really suspicious shows up on x-ray, I would guess most TSA agents will not bother getting open a bag wrapped in plastic cling wrap.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Travelnsj

Make sure I pack Deet when I go to the Papua area of Indonesia....and not forget my C card!

Hmm. Do I need bug spray for Bali?

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Hmm. Do I need bug spray for Bali?

I do not think I have ever had a bug bite that I can remember....and I forget to put on the Deet....but you are going a different time of the year...get a can...although there is no Malaria there...you have the chance for Dengue fever.....no reason to take a chance....met a few people who have gotten that over the last few years....nasty fever to get.

[georoc01]

I've been packing Bullfrog Mosquito Coast for my last couple of trips and it seems to work well as both a bug spray and 30SPF sunscreen.

[cruzan]

1.Split clothing and other essentials between bags of you and your travel partner. Better still carry on essentials.
2. Most importantly don't plan every minute.

[konadiver]

Make two copies of all your important documents like passport, C-card, etc and leave a copy at home or with someone you trust and the other in your wallet (or if you feel safe about it, email it to yourself through gmail or other accessible mailbox, coded or locked if you are worried about hackers). If they get lost and you're in a foreign country, it sure helps to have copies at hand, no matter where you are.

Also, if you are an instructor, bring and show only your "advanced open water" card and you'll feel more like you're on vacation. Don't let too many people know you're an instructor, unless you feel like working through your vacation.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by scubadiver888

Not really. Have a look at Getting into luggage without unlocking it.

That's some scary stuff, btw. Certainly a good argument for hard-sided luggage.

I always put a big obnoxious neon luggage band around my checked luggage (2" wide nylon webbing with a TSA lock). It wouldn't prevent someone from using this "zipper bypass" method to slide their hand in, but they won't be laying the bag wide open without cutting the strap off first.

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

That's some scary stuff, btw. Certainly a good argument for hard-sided luggage.

I always put a big obnoxious neon luggage band around my checked luggage (2" wide nylon webbing with a TSA lock). It wouldn't prevent someone from using this "zipper bypass" method to slide their hand in, but they won't be laying the bag wide open without cutting the strap off first.

I would imagine some luggage is harder to do the zipper bypass on then other luggage. A tight strap is probably going to slow them down. I found out about all this after I was robbed on the way home. My luggage was in the hands of the airline at all times (or should have been). They tried to blame customs agent for taking my stuff. After a lot of research I found that, due to TSA, you cannot stop someone from robbing you. Best hope is make your luggage less inviting than the other luggage going by.

[Smoochy]

There is nothing that is going to stop someone from cutting a zip tie either. But I still zip tie all checked bags, and am purchasing a TSA lock from ST because they are even cheaper right now... better to have backup than nothing

One thing that I just learned on my last trip (which wasn't even a diving trip) was that when they do check your bag, they don't give a flying f%*@ what they do to your stuff. I had just gone to a wedding and got the favor which happened to be a glass engraved candle... well I decided to just wrap it in my clothes. The stupid TSA people unwrapped it and just threw it back into my bag right on top without protecting it at all except for their stupid TSA pamphlet they must put in your stuff to let you know they rummaged through your belongings.

So do not count on them being careful with anything!!