I have had a pilot's bag with number code and they didn't break it but ask me to open it instead, but this was in Finland. I could assume they are not as humane in bigger places.
Charles de Gaulle is a black hole what comes to luggage. :I If you gotta change, don't do it in Paris but try to use Amsterdam instead. Atan's advice about having extra brush & towel is handy, but usually you can buy them with money. Your best friend when travelling is your plastic money.
