[Someone1234]

I've done it on tens of flights, nothing bad happened yet. I've had my bag searched twice in all that time, and one of those two times I knew exactly WHY (there was a piece of camera equipment that may have looked odd under x ray, a "Giottos Rocket Blaster," they did unzip the inner-camera case, and leave a leaflet in the bag).

I do recommend if people zip tie they cut off the excess/tail so it cannot get caught in any machinery.

I've seen a lot of international frequent fliers who zip tie when they have to check bags.