Lewis & Clark lock

Thanks to this Lewis and Clark luggage lock, I got to enjoy (?) my own “discovery expedition” through the bowels of Seoul’s Incheon Airport with blood pressure raised.

Long story short. I used this lock to attach two suitcases together for storage while I went on an airport transit tour to Seoul. Rushed and sleep deprived after a 5 hour Asiana flight from Bangkok, I crossed one of the wires. Everything seemed to attach into the proper places and lock okay so I didn’t worry. There was nothing in the instructions that said DON’T cross the wires.

Returning to the airport after a pork lunch (stomach turning) and fabulous shopping on a downtown Seoul street, I was unable to get the wire-twisted combination lock to open. This presented a huge problem inasmuch as I wouldn’t be able to get either bag open. (The wires were threaded through the bags’ lock holes).

See pictures from the transit tour

The transit tour lady, Jane, handed me scissors! Owners of a similar lock can rest assured scissors won’t cut through. Next, she sent me to “go that way and take the elevator to the basement” to try to find customs officers who might have a TSA lock opener.

A half hour expedition and foot blister later, I discovered the customs fellows in their back room office down a long hall. They seemed bored to tears in their office and my predicament amused them. No lock opener but they had a giant hedge clipper-resembling device that cut the wires in an instant. The result is the photo above.

Locks like this are very handy for travellers. But manufacturers need to make them idiot proof.

Jane is on the left. If you need scissors at Incheon Airport, go to the Omi Travel counter.

Great shopping street in Seoul. A bit on the pricey side. I bought earrings and scarves.