Why luggage locks are completely useless - Ballpoint Pen: 2, Security: 0

First we saw how a simple ballpoint pen could unlock those expensive Kryptonite bike locks, now pens are wrecking havoc on your locked luggage.  This quick video shows how easy it is to break into a locked suitcase by simply poking a ballpoint pen through the zipper.  The worst part is that you won’t know anything has happened when you pick up your luggage at the baggage claim.

I bet having some kind of lock on your luggage still reduces the likelihood that it gets pilfered as it makes the rounds through airport security, but I wouldn’t want to take any chances.  As for the days of checking a locked suitcase at a hostel or bus terminal for a few hours, those are long gone.

Of course you can debate how useful those locks were to begin with.  Do they deter would-be thieves?  Attract more attention?  After new TSA regulations I actually switched to using twisty-ties, figuring they serve the same deterrence function in the airport and probably make it look like I’m a cheapskate with nothing to steal.

Nevertheless, this video will probably serve as a good wake-up call and get more people to take their valuables with them on the plane.

[Via Elliot Blog]