Lady M: "Cro, can you give me a hand setting the combination lock on my new flight case?"
Cro: "OK, but you know what I'm like with hi-tech wizardry".
Lady M: "In which case you'd better look at the instructions".
Cro: "Looks easy enough".
At this point Cro sets required secret number, fiddles with small plastic bits, turns keys, and sits back, satisfied with a job well done.
Then, of course, the bloody thing won't re-open. We try everything, but it's locked solid, and the new combination numbers refuse to accept that they have any relationship to the wretched suitcase whatsoever. It's a bloody disaster. We stare at it in disbelief.
Cro: "I think I've got the answer. The Irish screwdriver".
Lady M: "If you must!".
A hefty blow to the lock with a heavy bolster, and it flies open. We both cheer. I saw off the locking device, paint any scuffed bits with black paint, and return it to Lady M who is perfectly satisfied that it now locks simply with a key; and no stupid combination number to worry about.
It's what any experienced airport baggage handler would have done whilst no-one was looking!
This made me laugh. Just the type of thing Paul would do.
ReplyDeleteNever buy a suitcase with a combination lock; they are designed to frustrate.
DeleteWell done, that man.
ReplyDeleteResourceful, but heavy handed.
DeleteIs she packing for Oz already?
DeleteNo; for London. Oz is for Christmas.
DeleteBeware of hotel safes! The combination can be bypassed with a key. There's usually a plastic bit that looks like metal which snaps off to reveal a lock. I discovered this because the safe's accu had packed up and it wouldn't open any other way.
ReplyDeleteThis lock had a tiny piece of interior red plastic that needed to be removed in order to set the combination; apparently it also needed to be replaced (Doh!).
DeleteLuckily Lady M prefers it without the 'security system'.
The last hotel safe I used had a huge hole in the bottom through which you could put your hand in to steal whatever you wanted. I didn't bother to use it.
DeleteAfter my father died, I was obliged to visit a particular solicitor who had a blown-apart safe in his office; it didn't gender much confidence.
DeleteMore numbers that you are supposed to remember. The dog's birthday is now the number of choice. That Irish Screwdriver looks as if it has seen some service.
ReplyDeleteI can't be bothered with them. I have difficulty enough remembering my bank card pin number!
DeleteI never lock anything except the house and I sometimes forget to do that and leave the key hanging there. As for hotel security safes, wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.
ReplyDeleteNever locked anything here; the keys are permanently in the car too.
DeleteWhen in doubt, give it a clout!
ReplyDeleteIt always works.
DeleteLove the Irish screwdriver ..... just the job ( and did the job perfectly ! ) XXXX
ReplyDeleteIt certainly did in this case.
DeleteMy brain goes into melt down at this kind of problem - always has done, not just since getting old. Pin numbers are about my limit.
ReplyDeleteFar better to do away with them, and use a simple lock and key; not that that had been our intention.
DeleteOh My Goodness, glad you fixed the lock before the trip.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
'Fixed' is the right word; it no longer exists (other than in it's outward appearance).
DeleteAh, the percussive persuasive device. Our suit case combination locks work ok. But each holiday we have to remember the combination. I better start thinking about the number before we start packing in October.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this one would have worked OK too, if I'd done everything correctly. Still, she seems happier without it, and it still looks the same.
Delete