Murray On Travel

So do we really need a WordLock luggage lock?  Our lives and minds are full of user ID's, passwords, and pins.  You need them to get cash at an ATM or connect with friends on Facebook.  Committing another four digit number to memory for a luggage lock just might make my head explode.  So how about a WordLock padlock for my luggage.  I’ve seen them everywhere so I figured I would give it a try.  WordLock locks are designed to use a resettable word, four letter, combination to open them. (view instructions) Each of the four selectors has 10 letters.  These are not random letters, they have been selected so that you have thousands of possible four letter words to choose from.    

Setting up your own combination is pretty easy, detailed instructions are included with the lock.  On the bottom of the lock you will see a slot for a key, this is what makes the lock TSA approved, AKA: “Travel Sentry Approved”.   All approved locks are also identified by a red diamond shaped symbol.  This means TSA agents will have a key to open your lock if they need to inspect it. 

In this WordLock review I’m not trying to convince you that you luggage is “safe” once it leaves your hands….  But with a lock on your suitcase you have added a bit of security to your possessions.    The WordLock brand luggage lock is metal and feels solid compared to many of the cheap plastic locks I’ve seen.   But with the proper tool any lock could be cut off in seconds.  But a metal lock like this one would take much more muscle than a plastic lock.

 
I especially like having locks on my luggage to keep the casual thief out of my bags.  The bellman at the hotel, or the dock worker moving my suitcase onto a cruise ship.  I especially like having a lock on my stuff when I’m forced to place it outside my cruise cabin door the night before I leave the ship.  At midnight the bags start disappearing, to be stored in some, and I hope secure, storage area.  But I have seen bags stacked in the crew area of a cruise ship waiting to be offloaded.  They were lined up on both sides of what is sometimes called “Main Street” on a cruise ship, the large central hallway of the main crew only deck.

I also want to recommend a TSA Approved lock because without it your luggage could be slowed down as it moves through the inspection process.   If you have locked your luggage with twisty ties, zip ties, or an old fashioned non-approved lock your luggage will require special handling at the TSA security check point.  This may slow down your belongings as they are headed to your flight.

My WordLock has been on several trips and held up perfectly.  It has been opened several times by TSA.   I do wish it had an “opened” indicator.  Some other locks will show you if your luggage has been opened by TSA during its journey.   I have never thought twice about forgetting my four letter combination.   I have yet to lose a SUIT out of my SUITcase, or forget my four letter WordLock combination, and that SUITs me fine.