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Old 01-30-2006, 04:30 PM   #1
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Hi all,

Well I am FINALLY heading off in just a couple of weeks now for my first serious travelling adventure

My question is - in hostels where you can't fit your pack into a locker, or they don't have lockers, what do you do with your pack? Is it 'safe' to leave it next to you during the night?
I don't want to get a pacsafe as I know I'll be too lazy to use it, and never use it again after the trip. But I was thinking of some kind of small cable lock to attach my bag to the furniture in the room! Obviously I won't leave valuables unattended in the bag, but stories of people losing their whole pack freak me out!!

Any advice from the more seasoned TP's??

Chels
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Old 01-30-2006, 04:32 PM   #2
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most peple just use the bike chains lock things and just lock it to the bed or somthin else
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Old 01-30-2006, 04:32 PM   #3
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not exactly seasoned, but all i hear about is people talking combo locks or, like you said, a bike cable lock thing (dont know what its called exactly...)
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Old 01-30-2006, 05:04 PM   #4
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Most of the places i went to either had a small locker where you put your lock on and a room where you could keep your big bag. I kept a small lock on my big bag just to keep people from rifling through it but i really was not afraid of it completly disapearing. I kept everything important with me and I never left my daybag anywhere. as for chaining it to the furniture, I cant remember anything that was strong enough to chain it to!
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Old 01-30-2006, 05:29 PM   #5
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How stupid do I feel now - - a bike lock - of course! And I already have a cable-type one of those = perfect. So much for thinking outside the square...

Cheers guys
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Old 01-30-2006, 07:19 PM   #6
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when you guys say a bike lock, do you mean the usually black "U-Lock" metal type with a key? or those plastic tubes with the chain inside, and the combination lock? cause i can pick one of those combination locks in under a minute (youth spent poorly ). i'd say any lock that has a key is a good idea (and maybe take a spare).

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Old 01-30-2006, 08:29 PM   #7
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i was talkin bout the wirey chain ones... i know the plastic tube ones with the chain inside ya talkin about.... i also perfected the art of picking them and stealing my mates bike and hiding it (youth spent well)
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Old 01-30-2006, 08:30 PM   #8
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oh and you can get better qualtiy chain bike lock things just depends how much you want to spend on one dont get the crappy chain in plastic tube ones
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Old 01-30-2006, 09:38 PM   #9
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Cable lock it and then lock the zippers.
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Old 02-01-2006, 06:15 PM   #10
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Unless your pack is extremely nice, or your smelly clothes look temping, I wouldn't worry about it. Without a locker, its nearly impossible to deter a determined thief. Even a pair of sissors will bypass the best lock on your pack.

Hostels usually keep your passport for you- if you don't, always carry it around. Otherwise, just be discreet about where your valuables are.

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Old 02-02-2006, 05:48 AM   #11
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I say just keep all your valuables on you and have a combo lock on the zippers (at least deters the casual thief). Although people stealing your whole pack can happen the probability is rather low.

ev
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Old 02-02-2006, 07:15 AM   #12
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The main pack with clothes and stuff in it should be fine, the best thing is to get to know everyone in your dorm. Act a bit mad you know crazy, so their a scared of you then they won't dare touch your things.

Maybe I should stop answering questions when I'm bored at work, I give really bad advice. I was just pure lucky my stuff didn't get nicked. I left my day pack in the bar so many times it's a wonder.

You could stuff a wild ferret in the pack to surprise anyone who opened it..??
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Old 02-03-2006, 12:06 AM   #13
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Note to self: Before next Joker Misadventure ™, find a wild ferret to stuff into pack. Fuck locking it!


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Old 02-03-2006, 12:19 AM   #14
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...wild ferret...
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Old 02-06-2006, 09:12 AM   #15
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Alot of times you can get a feel for how cautious you need to be. Be discrete and don't flash anything around you don't want people to notice. I never had a problem with my pack in the hostels and was never once tempted to go through someone else's dirty clothes.

I felt bad for the dude at the airport who searched my bag (German customs) 'cause I had a gross wet towel right at the top of it. Bleh. lol. Happens when you need to shower and catch your plane like 30 min later. hee hee.

Jenn
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