Why you should never lock your suitcase before flying

Off on an adventure, heading for the airport, wheeled suitcase in hand? Be careful, if you're convinced that a padlock guarantees security, the ultimate barrier against loss or theft, it might be quite the opposite...

That's what an American internet user, a security agent at an airport, explains on the platform Reddit.

While the discussion was focused on secrets never disclosed to passengers by airport employees, the security agent stepped in, revealing this open secret: padlocks are far from being a good deterrent.

The pen technique

On the contrary, the presence of a padlock is a sign that a valuable object might be hidden in the suitcase. To support his point, the internet user, an airport employee, shared a video on TikTok showing an employee piercing the zip of a suitcase with a pen.

"The pen technique for zippers has been around for tons of years, so I wanted to show you so you know to be wary of it."

If you really wish to deter thieves, the security agent advises investing in a suitcase cover. The zip is then covered with an "extra layer of security".

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: Demotivateur - Illustration: ©Unsplash)