I use federal law to prevent the smurfs from stealing from my checked luggage. I fly with "firearms" packed in my luggage. This is fully legal in all 50 states and in some cases, overseas.

I have hard sided cases with strong hinges and good (non TSA approved) locks. I put a flare gun in each of my checked bags. At check in, I tell the airline agent that I have unloaded firearms in my bags and need to fill out the declaration forms for FAR 1544.293. Once that is complete, it is a Federal offense for anyone, even the TSA, to open the luggage without me being present.

After one incident of the TSA attempting, but not succeeding, to cut off one of my hardened locks, I etched my name and cell phone number directly above where the locks attach. Since then they have called me several times and had me open the luggage for them to inspect, but that usually happens before I've cleared security.

I got the idea from this site: http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/ and have had very few issues, and NO thefts since I started traveling with "firearms."

I also lock my carry on, and attach my laptop to it with a cable, before putting my stuff on the belt at the scanner.