chainpadlock or not????

cyberhippie · Jan 29th, 2007, 04:51

To be perfectly honest I think that chaining luggage is more about peace of mind than any great threat of theft on a train!!

Theft does occur undoubtably but it's as yet not a huge problem in Indian trains. Perhaps the very Indian system of instantly meated out justice may have something to do with this???

Reminds me of a mate a traveller for years since the 60s. He splashed out on a fancy digital Short Wave radio. Around $100. He boarded the train for Jaipur and was fussing over his new girlfriend, telling her to lock up her stuff and keep her shit together. He looked round and his bag had been hoisted, short wave and all!!
Keep and eye on your stuff near to departure!!

mangrove · Jan 29th, 2007, 04:52

I'm guessing you are talking about hand sanitizer? Yep, taking some of that too. But now this paper soap has got me thinking... will definitely try the stuff.

By the way - thanks for the advice cyberhippie! Will keep those eyes open.

wonderwomanusa · Jan 29th, 2007, 04:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangrove

Now... I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I was told to buy one from home rather than in India as those sold at the train platforms are not as sturdy? Would you say a combination lock is better than a padlock?

A lot of the locks that I've seen for sale in India are cheap Chinese locks that I could open with a paper clip. The padlocks they sell at home are often good cylinder locks (or combination locks) that are much harder to open.

I've always carried a "Master Padlock" bought at the hardware store near my home; it cost around $3 and is about 30 years old. I just loop it through the long carry strap of my bag (which is like a big athletic bag) and lock it to the bottom of the seat.

Mind you, a determined thief could cut through my nylon bag with a sharp knife or scissors, but such a thing never has happened. There's nothing in the bag that I couldn't replace, by the way.

They sell paper soap here, too ... but I'll bet the packets aren't as interesting as those you see in India!

noflylist · Jan 29th, 2007, 04:55

I will visit Delhi just to get some paper soap inspite of all the tout troubles

mangrove · Jan 29th, 2007, 04:58

Thanks wonderwomanusa!

Will definitely get a padlock from home. Did not think they could be so large that they could fit through the strap.

I agree, I definitely won't be carrying anything valuable. Except for the souvenirs I gather here and there that might be a bit of a loss given the time spent, etc. And my backpack, that would a shame to lose for convenience, etc.

But you are right, would not be the end of the world!

cyberhippie · Jan 29th, 2007, 05:01

Well actually WWUSA the times I have lost my keys I've had cause to put that theory to the test and was found wanting (not to mention sleeping on the terrace) I couldn't open them and it took a few hefty blows with a crowbar to break them!!
Mind you my paperclip WAS locked in the room with the rest of my gear!!
Frightened the life out of the kids the next morning too

noflylist · Jan 29th, 2007, 05:09

I always think I lost keys and break lock and then find keys, so numbered lock for me

Nick-H · Jan 29th, 2007, 10:25

Cheap lock, light chain, fine. I may loose keys, but not as quickly as I loose numbers!

Paper soap? I'll keep an eye open for that.

Blowup pillow? I think taking anything explosive on public transport is frowned on these days.

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Baba · Jan 29th, 2007, 13:34

A small luggage lock (combination for me) with a fine steel cable does it for me. Most theft in India is the grab-and-run type, so this is what you want to prevent.

pantelis · Jan 29th, 2007, 19:02

that chains are just for the peace of mind.I never used one in my previous travels but i always have this fear of robbing before my departure .Well i reached the conclusion not to buy any chains but definitely i`ll lock with small padlocks {bought from home}my small backpack

mangrove · Jan 29th, 2007, 19:10

I will take a combination lock from home for sure, might end up bying a chain from a Delhi railway station. Definitely will buy loads of SOAP PAPER though

noflylist · Jan 30th, 2007, 02:22

mangrove post the picture of papersoap, once U get hold of it, sounds like typical Delhi thing

Zeppy · Jan 30th, 2007, 03:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantelis

indeed-what is this?I never used chain padlocks on my luggage in the past & fortunately i had No bad incidents on this but i always have this fear of robbing .I also carry no valuables but the problem seems to be that my backpack {it`s not possible to chain it } & my second smaller one too.How am i going to tie them up with the chain ?????

Anyway, i hope it is not common phenomenon the robbing

The majority of Indians are decent

You put the long chain, which you buy at the railway station for very little money, through a metal loop under the train seat and also through a loop or loops on your backpack. You lock the ends together with a sturdy padlock you have brought from home. Why do it? To sleep in peace. Many Indians chain and lock their suitcases on night trains. At night, in certain regions, "outsiders" are constantly intruding into your sleeping area--sweepers who are not railway employees zip in and out with brooms, for instance, sweeping the floor, moving your shoes, very close to where your suitcase/backpack is.

monkgonemad · Jan 30th, 2007, 06:37

i made a cable lock (i think i may have posted a photo of it here way long time ago). its just peace of mind. esp if im traveling alone i can rush to the loo and come back before someone can rip it.

but ...if they have a tool or a razor and fast -im screwed.

such is life.

i always use one but also put a sort of faith in the companions around me.

i never go 3rd class. i may be perpetually unemployed, but life is not that dire. i have a fortune in goodies to some poor slob who never got a break.

pantelis · Jan 31st, 2007, 03:28

in full daylight & think i`m not going to use a chain unless i`ll be tempted by the sight of it in the New Delhi Railway Station before leaving , haven`t decided yet.Thanks for your replies

Jan 29th, 2007, 10:25	#23
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	Cheap lock, light chain, fine. I may loose keys, but not as quickly as I loose numbers! Paper soap? I'll keep an eye open for that. Blowup pillow? I think taking anything explosive on public transport is frowned on these days. . . . . __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jan 29th, 2007, 13:34	#24
Baba Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 333	A small luggage lock (combination for me) with a fine steel cable does it for me. Most theft in India is the grab-and-run type, so this is what you want to prevent. __________________ Baba

Jan 29th, 2007, 19:02	#25
pantelis Hello Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greece Posts: 289	i agree with cyberhippie that chains are just for the peace of mind.I never used one in my previous travels but i always have this fear of robbing before my departure .Well i reached the conclusion not to buy any chains but definitely i`ll lock with small padlocks {bought from home}my small backpack __________________

Jan 29th, 2007, 19:10	#26
mangrove Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 292	Peace of mind it is I will take a combination lock from home for sure, might end up bying a chain from a Delhi railway station. Definitely will buy loads of SOAP PAPER though

Jan 31st, 2007, 03:28	#30
pantelis Hello Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greece Posts: 289	i will travel fortunately in full daylight & think i`m not going to use a chain unless i`ll be tempted by the sight of it in the New Delhi Railway Station before leaving , haven`t decided yet.Thanks for your replies

Jan 29th, 2007, 04:51	#16
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	To be perfectly honest I think that chaining luggage is more about peace of mind than any great threat of theft on a train!! Theft does occur undoubtably but it's as yet not a huge problem in Indian trains. Perhaps the very Indian system of instantly meated out justice may have something to do with this??? Reminds me of a mate a traveller for years since the 60s. He splashed out on a fancy digital Short Wave radio. Around $100. He boarded the train for Jaipur and was fussing over his new girlfriend, telling her to lock up her stuff and keep her shit together. He looked round and his bag had been hoisted, short wave and all!! Keep and eye on your stuff near to departure!!

Jan 29th, 2007, 04:52	#17
mangrove Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 292	I'm guessing you are talking about hand sanitizer? Yep, taking some of that too. But now this paper soap has got me thinking... will definitely try the stuff. By the way - thanks for the advice cyberhippie! Will keep those eyes open.

Jan 29th, 2007, 04:55	#19
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	I will visit Delhi just to get some paper soap inspite of all the tout troubles

Jan 29th, 2007, 04:58	#20
mangrove Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 292	Thanks wonderwomanusa! Will definitely get a padlock from home. Did not think they could be so large that they could fit through the strap. I agree, I definitely won't be carrying anything valuable. Except for the souvenirs I gather here and there that might be a bit of a loss given the time spent, etc. And my backpack, that would a shame to lose for convenience, etc. But you are right, would not be the end of the world!

Jan 29th, 2007, 05:01	#21
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Well actually WWUSA the times I have lost my keys I've had cause to put that theory to the test and was found wanting (not to mention sleeping on the terrace) I couldn't open them and it took a few hefty blows with a crowbar to break them!! Mind you my paperclip WAS locked in the room with the rest of my gear!! Frightened the life out of the kids the next morning too

Jan 29th, 2007, 05:09	#22
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	I always think I lost keys and break lock and then find keys, so numbered lock for me

Jan 30th, 2007, 02:22	#27
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	mangrove post the picture of papersoap, once U get hold of it, sounds like typical Delhi thing

Jan 30th, 2007, 06:37	#29
monkgonemad Aimless Drifter, Shiftless Idler, Useless Waster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: SoEastAsia/AsiaSubCont Posts: 417	i made a cable lock (i think i may have posted a photo of it here way long time ago). its just peace of mind. esp if im traveling alone i can rush to the loo and come back before someone can rip it. but ...if they have a tool or a razor and fast -im screwed. such is life. i always use one but also put a sort of faith in the companions around me. i never go 3rd class. i may be perpetually unemployed, but life is not that dire. i have a fortune in goodies to some poor slob who never got a break.

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