TSA Locks

[Codeman]

While I was researching Pelican cases, i came across their TSA lock (http://www.pelican-case.com/1506tsa.html), which lead me to find TamperSeal's 4 Dial SearchAlert TSA Lock (http://www.tamperseal.com/product_info.php?products_id=136&product=SearchAlert_4_Dial_TSA_Luggage_Lock&osCsid=7291ab44d0e3d8bf38c94ef403b5c1b0). I like the idea of the SearchAlert.

I used to do a lot of travel for my previous job, but haven't done much in the last 10 years or so. Still, I think it would be a good idea to invest in a few of these locks.

Does anyone have any experience with these or similar such locks? Any specific recommendations?

[luigi]

I have the idea that If I was a thief I would go for the lugagge with locks.
So If I don't use a lock It would just be a random missfortune to have something stolen.
Besides this since airlines lose bags from time to time all my valuable items go with me in the carry-on bag.
Maybe my logic is foolish :-)

[Lunal_Tic]

I use a number of the "TSA" locks. They are all flimsy but they do keep casual intrusion away. Thieves look for easy first.

They may indicate to you that TSA or someone has been in them but there is little or no recourse if something is missing. They mainly provide a little peace of mind and the TSA guys can't complain . . .much.

-LT

[VWTim]

I have the idea that If I was a thief I would go for the lugagge with locks.
So If I don't use a lock It would just be a random missfortune to have something stolen.
Besides this since airlines lose bags from time to time all my valuable items go with me in the carry-on bag.
Maybe my logic is foolish :-)




The problem with carrying valubles as carry on is I routinely travel with a firearm, that has to be in my luggage. But as others mentioned it's one more level of protection. Theifs are theifs because they're lazy...a lock might be just enough for them to move onto another bag.

[WillCAD]

TSA locks in general don't always work; it depends on how stupid the TSA agents are who want to search your luggage.

I've used TSA locks on 3 round-trips (6 flights). On one of those 6 flights, my TSA lock was cut off the bag for a search; and to make matters worse, the TSA agent who cut it off and rifled through my bag didn't bother putting the legally required notice inside that said my bag had been searched, so there was no way I could have complained about the loss of a $6 lock that the TSA is not SUPPOSED to cut off.

Because of the ease with which anyone can get into a suitcase, regardless of locks, I never put my valuables or electronics into checked bags, except those items which I cannot carry on with me like knives and multi-tools. But to prevent losing my more expensive and belived knife and multitool, I have been packing a cheap no-name multi-tool instead. It's not as good as the Bucktool I normally carry, but at least it's a set of basic tools that I can use if I need them, without much worry about losing the good stuff should my luggage go missing, or should a TSA agent decide that he is entitled to help himself.

[bigfoot]

I don't bother with any locks. Mainly because I don't bother putting anything valuable in checked luggage. If someone at the airport decides they really, really need my clean underwear, socks, or deodorant, they can have it. And I won't want them back!

:laugh:

[Dynacolt]

I've always used small cable ties. They hold the bags and cases safely closed, and don't draw attention like a dangling lock would. I've never had any removed, or been asked to open them for a search. I guess I've been lucky so far.

Dave.

[rik]

I was at the lock picking seminar at Defcon two years ago. The speaker was handed a TSA approved lock. His response: "You're kidding, right? This is a TSA approved lock?". He handed it back, opened, three seconds later.

At this stage, I believe that all they do is prevent your luggage from opening accidentally.

[Stutoffee]

By the sounds of it, I think giving these "numpties" who search your bags & occasionally help themselves to stuff the title of "AGENT" is an honour that they really dont deserve.

[Nephiel]

By the sounds of it, I think giving these "numpties" who search your bags & occasionally help themselves to stuff the title of "AGENT" is an honour that they really dont deserve.

I live in Europe, and the first time I heard about TSA was when I saw TSA locks for sale at one of those duty-free stores in an airport. At first I was puzzled (come on, why should I buy a lock that allows strangers to open it? What's the point?), then I learnt about TSA people being authorized to open and search luggage in the US. I was outraged. Why should people allow strangers to rummage through their belongings?

Thankfully we don't have TSA here (yet). Just the ocassional piece getting lost or broken by careless luggage handlers...


I was once waiting for a flight, sitting in the waiting room, next to a "customer service" counter, when a guy came to the counter. He was dragging a big suitcase (of the kind that have a metal frame covered with nylon) that was literally torn to shreds. The frame tubes were bent and broken, and the nylon was ripped in strips along the length of the suitcase. Someone had wrapped this mess with a few turns of brown packing tape to keep it together... The guy addressed the girl on the counter and I heard the conversation. He had just arrived, and when he went to pick up his suitcase from the baggage belts, he found it like that. He wanted to take photos of it, but only had a USB pendrive (he had a camera in the suitcase but it wasn't there), so another passenger lent him a camera, and I copied the photos to his USB drive with my laptop (I saved a copy of the photos on the laptop, but I reformatted it when I left my job).
Funny thing is, he didn't care about the contents of the suitcase; he just wanted to know "how did THEY do THAT?"
I don't think I could have disfigured that suitcase like that even if I tried hard with an axe and a hammer.

How I'd love to get a suitcase that could bite bad guys (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Luggage).

[Stutoffee]

It does seem appalling that this sort of thing can happen tp peoples personal possessions in the name of security. I fly in & out of Palma de Mallorca on a fairly regular basis (4-5 times a year) & Im told by friends who work in the holiday industry (and my girlfriend, who's a Holiday Rep) that Palma is one of the most secure airports in the world. I put a combination lock & numbered security seal on the zip closure of my suitcase & it's NEVER, EVER been tampered with.
I understand that their X-Ray machines are state-of-the-art & practically every item is scrutinized, &, Im sure IF a case/bag was suspect that there are "clandestine" methods of opening it without ripping the case to pieces & destroying the frame.
Sounds like some of these occurences are a terrible abuse of power.
The other worrying thing for me would be walking back through HM Customs in the UK when "someone" & I dont care if they are a TSA "Agent" couldve tampered with my bags & even put something INTO my luggage.