Should I lock my suitcase before I fly? And is plastic wrap any good?

Travelers often lock checked suitcases with a padlock to deter theft or stop zippers opening, but airport screening can still require access for safety checks and inspection. At major airports, staff may open bags for security reasons; at smaller ones, passengers might be asked to assist. A key warning involves power banks: rechargeable batteries must not be packed in checked luggage, since they need to be removed during screening. If a lock is used, TSA locks—marked by a red diamond—can typically be opened by airport staff with a universal key. Gatwick says passengers can usually lock checked bags placed in the hold. The article also cautions that plastic wrap can interfere with baggage handling and turn suitcases into unstable, heavy “balls.”