Travel Products - Does anyone use TSA-accepted locks?

Quick question:

I'm new to travel forums and I'm thinking about purchasing a few Safe Skies luggage locks and wanted to get everyone's opinion on them. I like them for a couple of reasons:

1. They say that TSA won't cut them off (I've had that happen to me a few times) and if TSA does cut them, Safe Skies will replace them for free.

2. They have a bunch of fun colors and designs that would make it easier to find my bags at baggage claim.

Thoughts? They also seem to have a bunch of followers on Facebook which makes me think a lot of people like them: https://www.facebook.com/Safe.Skies.TSA.Locks/app_356617574393728

Welcome to FT - since your question is not related to Virgin Atlantic specifically, I'll move this over to the Travel Products forum.

Jenbel
Co-moderator, Virgin Flying Club

I use TSA-compatible locks (not Safe Skies) to have a modicum of additional security (more so that the bags' zippers don't open by themselves - against theft they are of dubious help).

Could use zip ties to the same effect, but I prefer something reusable.

As for making it easier to identify your bags, I think they are of no value here: you need something bigger; their conspicuousness is even lower than the additional security they provide.

Summing up: If you like them, go for them, but don't expect too much :)

The first few years after the TSA approved locks were introduced, my experience was that they just cut them off anyway. Over the last few years, I've been seeing the 'we inspected your bag' piece of paper in the bag with the lock intact, so things have improved. I haven't had a lock removed in a while.

2. They have a bunch of fun colors and designs that would make it easier to find my bags at baggage claim.


I'd go for a coloured baggage strap than a lock - easier to see on the baggage belt and especially after a long flight.

Mind once that didn't stop someone trying to pick my bag up 'but it has the same strap as mine' she wailed until I pointed out my name on the tag!

I've used them on some TATL flights...not on domestic flights. I've lost about half of them...some gone altogether, some unlocked but hanging from the zipper handle (sometimes a note inside, sometimes not) and some locked where I left them. I never plan that I will have the lock at my destination...if I do, I win...it's a crapshoot. I take an extra lock for use when I leave the bag at my hotel's bellman or if I leave something in the suitcase in my room.

I'd go for a coloured baggage strap than a lock - easier to see on the baggage belt and especially after a long flight.

Mind once that didn't stop someone trying to pick my bag up 'but it has the same strap as mine' she wailed until I pointed out my name on the tag!

We always use straps. Add zip ties, if TSA wants to they can cut them.

Rarely check but when I do, I use them or the wire ties that come with trash bags mainly to keep it from accidentally unzipping. For locks I use the combination ones so I don't have to worry about losing anything but my mind. If that goes, I don't think I'll be sweating my luggage.

We always use locks & straps. It's not going to stop a determined thief but the name of the game is making your bag less attractive than the other guy's.

I also find the straps help at claim time--no matter what position the bag is in I can grab the strap to lift it. Sometimes it's not easy to grab the handle as it's going around the belt.

The important thing is to get the TSA locks that have a safety alert. That is a red collar or dot that shows up on the lock when it has been opened with the TSA key. This way you know they have been in there as soon as you pick up the bag.

This alone is an important feature in preventing theft by TSA. Ordinary TSA locks without the safety alert only facilitate theft by TSA. They open your bag with their keys in the name of security, go through them and then take whatever they like. Obviously, they will not place a TSA ticket in your bag when it has been thusly pilfered.

I recommend colorful zip ties. Don't use black. They have black spares with which they will replace your zip ties. Use a gaudy neon color. They will most likely not have the color on hand. The zip tie acts like a seal that must be broken.

You can also put tape around the entire length of the zipper. That makes it too much hassle for quick thieves and is very obvious if it's missing.

Till

I've always wondered about this topic also. I'm going to Cabo (Mexico) soon and was wondering if I should just use the zip ties like you suggested. Just so I understand correctly, 1) if TSA breaks my zip tie they will be doing it for official purposes thus, they'll put whatever new zip tie they have and place a notification inside. but 2) if, however, a thief cuts off my zip tie, there will be no notification inside. And as such, I'd report to the baggage office.

Is that how it works? I'm just a bit nervous about going to Mexico (I have to check b/c I've got big stuff to carry this time) Thank you.

The important thing is to get the TSA locks that have a safety alert. That is a red collar or dot that shows up on the lock when it has been opened with the TSA key. This way you know they have been in there as soon as you pick up the bag.

This alone is an important feature in preventing theft by TSA. Ordinary TSA locks without the safety alert only facilitate theft by TSA. They open your bag with their keys in the name of security, go through them and then take whatever they like. Obviously, they will not place a TSA ticket in your bag when it has been thusly pilfered.

I recommend colorful zip ties. Don't use black. They have black spares with which they will replace your zip ties. Use a gaudy neon color. They will most likely not have the color on hand. The zip tie acts like a seal that must be broken.

You can also put tape around the entire length of the zipper. That makes it too much hassle for quick thieves and is very obvious if it's missing.

Tilltfar ^your comments reflect my so far very limited - but always consistently bad - experience with the TSA. Each time I flew TATL out of the same US airport. I used TSA locks on my bags. Results as follows:-
Trip #1 - Bag #1
TSA lock replaced on the bag in the correct place. But the combination had been changed. I had to cut off the lock to open my bag.
Trip #1 - Bag #2
TSA lock removed from the main compartment and replaced (with wrong combination now) on the side pocket zipper leaving the bag unprotected. This lock had to be cut off too.
Trip #1 - Bag #3
I didn't put any lock on this bag. Bag of a more casual duffle bag type. Contents were not touched and all arrived safely.
Bags #1 and Bag #2 were delayed 24 hours. When they arrived, contents had been mixed between the 2 bags and all the best stuff stolen.

Trip #2 - Bag #1
TSA lock replaced on the same part of the bag. Lock had to be cut off again, as the TSA had changed the combination.
Trip # 2 - Bag # 2
TSA lock completely missing.
Nothing stolen this time. Bags arrived on time.

Trip #3 - Bag #1
TSA lock replaced on same part of the bag, but combination changed to lock had to be cut off again.
Trip #3 - Bag #2
TSA lock replaced on same part of the bag, but combination changed to lock had to be cut off again.
Trip # 3 - Bag #3
No lock placed on this bag which was a casual duffle bag type. Luggage arrived on time and apparently nothing stolen.
So far almost 100% replacement needed of all TSA locks ! And the luggage that had no lock at all (especially not a TSA lock) seemed never to have been disturbed or stolen from in every case.

Conclusion? TSA locks? Don't bother. You are better with no lock at all.

I've always wondered about this topic also. I'm going to Cabo (Mexico) soon and was wondering if I should just use the zip ties like you suggested. Just so I understand correctly, 1) if TSA breaks my zip tie they will be doing it for official purposes thus, they'll put whatever new zip tie they have and place a notification inside. but 2) if, however, a thief cuts off my zip tie, there will be no notification inside. And as such, I'd report to the baggage office.

Is that how it works? I'm just a bit nervous about going to Mexico (I have to check b/c I've got big stuff to carry this time) Thank you.

Every TSA-approved lock I have ever had has been missing when I received my luggage (including once when it was attached to the zipper pull, but I hadn't actually locked the bag). Well over half the time, there was no notification paper inside.

I've only had a zip-tie removed once. I actually had a plastic folder on the top inside the bag with a copy of my flight itinerary plus a note to TSA asking for the zip-tie to be replaced if the bag was opened, along with a spare zip tie. The zip-tie was gone and not replaced. (Of course, a TSA apologist will point out that a baggage handler could have removed the zip-tie, but TSOs have xray 'vision', so they generally have a pretty good idea why they're opening a bag and what they hope to find/steal).

Personally, I think some TSOs do assume that a locked bag means something worth stealing. In my case, it's usually not something that will interest them, but it is something necessary for my travels (goretex shell, bike helmet and shoes, hiking boots, trekking poles, etc.)

Locking your luggage is an incentive for thieves who are looking for people who pack valuables in checked luggage. Just makes it easier for the thieves to target more efficiently.

Does zippo with respect to TSA.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9650; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.719 Mobile Safari/534.8+)

When I need to check, I use another brand, including one that Southwest sent us. I also have a solid carryon with the a combo TSA-friendly lock built into the zipper lock mechanism.

A real thief is getting in or stealing the entire bag, but any deterrent is good by me.

I used to use zip ties, but TSA stopped resealing bags with zip ties and I had a bag open and leaking onto the baggage conveyer. (When I wrote TSA, they told me the 2 cent zip ties were cut as a budget issue; I splurged on locks immediately).

I have had bags inspected and no cut locks, so properly used by TSA.

I also carry a few zip ties in all my bags, just in case I need to reseal or check a carryon I wasn't planning to check.

My advice is buy the locks you like. They'll last years, and if you need to check it is the best option.

We have to make a differentiation between "honest" thieves and dishonest TSA.

An honest thief does not have permission to open your luggage. He does not have X-ray to prescreen luggage for valuables. He does not have a key for your luggage by law.

TSA has all these things.

Unfortunately, as we can read again and again, HR at TSA doesn't screen the employees as well as they screen the luggage for valuables. The procedures in place are also ridiculously low-key. More on that later.

There are two things you want to achieve with theft protection measures: 1. Deter a potential thief because it would be too much hassle to open your bag. 2. Alarm you when the bag has been opened.

Mellonc, that is the important part about the safety alert locks or zip ties. They let you know if someone (ANYONE) opened your bag. Ordinary TSA locks won't do that. You find your lock still in place, you go home, you open the suitcase, stuff is missing. But now any accusations you might have don't carry much weight anymore because you could have taken out these things yourself or just claim they were in there.

Read the sticky on top of this forum. In it there is also a link to theft protection of luggage. Good tips in there.

As far as the TSA note they put in there is concerned, it is an insult in my eyes. By comparison, in Germany they put a two page note in there. It details the laws governing the search of your belongings. It gives you a numer and address for complaints. It gives you the full name and signature (!) of the person who searched your bag and the full name and signature of the supervisor. In addition it tells you what they were looking for, what caught their eye and if they took anything out or how you could get it back.

Now that is a decent standard operating procedure. ^

As opposed to the US American SOP where an SOB might be stealing from you, while such an activity is facilitated by the law and procedures in place, to then figuratively show you the finger by putting a non-descript slip of paper in your bag to tell you that you just got screwed. :mad::td:

Till

I've been using TSA "friendly" locks pretty much since they first came available on 2 to 3 international roundtrips a year. I've never had one cut, never had anything disappear from my bag, and never had indication that my bag had been searched.

I've been using TSA "friendly" locks pretty much since they first came available on 2 to 3 international roundtrips a year. I've never had one cut, never had anything disappear from my bag, and never had indication that my bag had been searched.
I think it's the luck of the draw because I've seen it happen to family members who were somewhat naive about the whole thing..... they flew out of Dulles...

I use TSA locks when I have firearms in my checked luggage (best way IMO to avoid lost bags is to put firearms in them). When I'm not flying with guns I skip the locks and use zip ties. Just about every torn and jammed bag I've seen on the conveyor belt gets caught on the TSA lock.

best way IMO to avoid lost bags is to put firearms in them). .

I don't understand why that's the case. I didn't even know that you can bring guns. Can you explain?

When you put a gun in your bag, there are special tracking and security procedures in place to safeguard it. No one is going to mess with the luggage (of the TSA and handlers) because they know that the bag is under tighter supervision. It is sufficient to bring a starter gun for athletics. It does not need to be a real gun. Do a search for gun and there will be posts that explain the process. Personally, I'd find it too involved. Not worth it.

Till

I've been using TSA "friendly" locks pretty much since they first came available on 2 to 3 international roundtrips a year. I've never had one cut, never had anything disappear from my bag, and never had indication that my bag had been searched.

Two went missing once, no note, the bags do not appear to have been opened. I rather suspect they started to open them and realized how much work it was going to be to undo the strapping and decided not to have a look.

Since then we've had one bag opened, love note, the lock and straps were replaced but the straps were loose. The likely culprit was a couple of frying pans she was taking to a sister.

Two went missing once, no note, the bags do not appear to have been opened. I rather suspect they started to open them and realized how much work it was going to be to undo the strapping and decided not to have a look.

Since then we've had one bag opened, love note, the lock and straps were replaced but the straps were loose. The likely culprit was a couple of frying pans she was taking to a sister.

Yes, frying pans are a surefire opening reason. Have that happen, too.

Till

I think I'm just going to go with colorful zip ties like what tfar suggested..... perhaps something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6233-Cable-Ties-500-Piece/dp/B000NPZ4D0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Yes, frying pans are a surefire opening reason. Have that happen, too.

Till

I've read that piles of books can look suspicious somehow. Last couple times I brought back a stack of books (8-12, I like books), I checked them in a separate small bag with a couple large ziplocks full of dirty clothing. That way if the bag did get opened, there wasn't much to rifle through or steal. Isolating something that might trigger curious xray eyes (if possible) is a good idea - whether it's tent poles, books, blocks of cheese, etc.

It's difficult to do now, but I still have some pieces of luggage with metal zips which are immune to the ballpoint trick. It also helps if you use a ziplock to secure the zipper pulls to something else (gear loop, handle) on the luggage so that if the zip is compromised, it can't be resealed.

you are referring to the "ballpoint trick" as when someone takes a pen and open the zipper midway through the suitcase, correct?

My question is:

Are luggage with zippers (at least the modern ones like Briggs, Tumi, Hartmann, Victorinox) all susceptible to this trick/abuse? If so, is there even any point of locking the zipper pulls?

I've read that piles of books can look suspicious somehow. Last couple times I brought back a stack of books (8-12, I like books), I checked them in a separate small bag with a couple large ziplocks full of dirty clothing. That way if the bag did get opened, there wasn't much to rifle through or steal. Isolating something that might trigger curious xray eyes (if possible) is a good idea - whether it's tent poles, books, blocks of cheese, etc.

It's difficult to do now, but I still have some pieces of luggage with metal zips which are immune to the ballpoint trick. It also helps if you use a ziplock to secure the zipper pulls to something else (gear loop, handle) on the luggage so that if the zip is compromised, it can't be resealed.

Yup--stacks of books can't be cleared by x-ray exam and thus draw eyeballs.

you are referring to the "ballpoint trick" as when someone takes a pen and open the zipper midway through the suitcase, correct?

My question is:

Are luggage with zippers (at least the modern ones like Briggs, Tumi, Hartmann, Victorinox) all susceptible to this trick/abuse? If so, is there even any point of locking the zipper pulls?

Don't know about those particular suitcases, but if the zipper pulls are secured to something (handle, gear loop), then the zipper can't be 're-sealed' after the ballpoint trick. If the zipper pulls are just locked to each other, they can still be slid along the zipper together.

I think I'm just going to go with colorful zip ties like what tfar suggested..... perhaps something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6233-Cable-Ties-500-Piece/dp/B000NPZ4D0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

That's awesome. Good colors. Good length. Good price. Thanks for the tip! @:-)

I got mine a Home Depot. More expensive than that and not as many. But, to save my honor, my colors are even a bit nicer. ;)

Till

Don't know about those particular suitcases, but if the zipper pulls are secured to something (handle, gear loop), then the zipper can't be 're-sealed' after the ballpoint trick. If the zipper pulls are just locked to each other, they can still be slid along the zipper together.

Exactly! That is one part of the equation.

The zippers that can be pried open and closed again with the ball-point trick are the so-called self-healing coil zippers. The price you pay for self-healing.

The zippers that have teeth (attached to a textile base band) made out of either metal or plastic cannot be pried open with that trick and then be resealed.

Look at Redoxx bags and you know what I mean. Those are teeth. Most luggage today uses coil. Some sew in the coils upside down like Tom Bihn does. This makes the contraption a bit more waterresistant and less prone to getting gummed up. It also looks slicker. But it won't prevent the pen trick.

Till

Don't know about those particular suitcases, but if the zipper pulls are secured to something (handle, gear loop), then the zipper can't be 're-sealed' after the ballpoint trick. If the zipper pulls are just locked to each other, they can still be slid along the zipper together.

I'd worry that they just wouldn't bother with resealing. If they're going to steal from me, they're not going to be worried if the rest of my stuff is strewn over the baggage claim conveyer.

I'd worry that they just wouldn't bother with resealing. If they're going to steal from me, they're not going to be worried if the rest of my stuff is strewn over the baggage claim conveyer.

Remember it's not just about the stealing, a lot of the scare-stories are about people planting extra things in your baggage (e.g. drugs) so you are unkowingly responsible for shipping the contraband.

And for that they will want to make sue the tampering is as invisible as possible.

I've just had the old style key locks on an old Samsonite hardshell destroyed by the TSA, most likely at JFK (first time there in 10 years). Since it could no longer be closed, they at least had the decency to wrap it around with TSA duct tape which was in any case hanging by a thread at the arrivals carousel.

Funny thing is that I had left it unlocked - as in many previous times - to prevent this exact scenario. And I had previously been through many airports and found the TSA flyer inside it without any problems.

Now, I'm off to getting something new with a TSA approved lock.

I've just had the old style key locks on an old Samsonite hardshell destroyed by the TSA, most likely at JFK (first time there in 10 years). Since it could no longer be closed, they at least had the decency to wrap it around with TSA duct tape which was in any case hanging by a thread at the arrivals carousel.

Funny thing is that I had left it unlocked - as in many previous times - to prevent this exact scenario. And I had previously been through many airports and found the TSA flyer inside it without any problems.

Now, I'm off to getting something new with a TSA approved lock.

TSA built-into the case: Yes.

TSA mini-locks: No. I have five and never use them.

TSA lock on luggage case strap: Yes. I have some pre-TSA Rimowa alu Topas cases, and that strap works on international flights.

I was expecting to find the strap loose and running around the carousel on 4 different flights, but the inspectors to their credit, did put it back around the case and locked it each time. A note inside was left 3 out of 4 times.

On two previous flights to LA, I just left the checked case unlocked, trans-Atlantic. I locked it after I arrived at my destination. Reading incidents there recently, I don't think I'll do that again.

Personally I use my own locks as well as TSA.

On my Rimowas, I use the case integrated TSA locks. I figure if TSA wanted to open them they would need to use the key, since its not as easy as just snipping locks off.

But on my zippered luggage I use small plastic zip ties, so they can be cut off by TSA if they want. But if they are left on they still keep my zippers secure to prevent the "yard sale" on the carousel.

I never bought TSA locks, only the ones that came with new bags. But since those TSA locks disappeared off my bags pretty quickly, I don't like the idea of $5 a pop disappearing so frequently.

I never bought TSA locks, only the ones that came with new bags. But since those TSA locks disappeared off my bags pretty quickly, I don't like the idea of $5 a pop disappearing so frequently.

This is a real dilemma: Should one be angry that they steal the locks or should one be happy they didn't steal the contents of the suitcase? :D

Till

The cost of a small TSA lock: Minimal.

The cost of your packed contents: Costly and subjectively perhaps, priceless.

The cost of a small TSA lock: Minimal.

The cost of your packed contents: Costly and subjectively perhaps, priceless.

Cost to your luggage because the airport security screener fails to use the master TSA lock: also costly.

Check nothing that you cannot live without. The only way to secure your belongings is to keep them in your possession.

" Check nothing that you cannot live without. The only way to secure your belongings is to keep them in your possession. "

Excellent advise !

It boggles my mind that they steal the padlocks. What for? I bought two SearchAlert hasps when I got my Pelican case and very soon they were gone. They are unusable without the combination! So why steal them? Or they are such .........s to not close them back and it just gets lost?

It boggles my mind that they steal the padlocks. What for? I bought two SearchAlert hasps when I got my Pelican case and very soon they were gone. They are unusable without the combination! So why steal them? Or they are such .........s to not close them back and it just gets lost?No I suspect they just can't be bothered.

It might be that the baggage inspectors have a directive from a superior that if it is taking too long to receive, open, inspect, and re-lock the case, or that re-locking the case to get it back in the system causes an unnecessary delay with other luggage in process, they are then allowed to cut, remove, and discard the locks.

I don't think they steal them: Where's the market for inexpensive TSA locks ? It's just not there.

I can envision and perhaps sympathize with a Mount Everest flow of non-stop luggage, that comes to a halt and begins to pile up due to simple locks that get stuck, or do not close without considerable, physical effort. I would hope that it was not be the case, but such a directive could then be interpreted, and thus abused to the point of arbitrarily discarding locks whenever one felt like it.

That might explain quite a few flight delays that occurred in the early days of the program. Perhaps that became a problem to the point that the airline representatives documented the problem to the inspection agencies, to avoid paying delay fines. Ergo the directive to " Keep things moving. ".

I use the TSA locks when going to the USA - agree with some of the other posters that in the past I had a few cut off, but for the past few years I've had them all arrive intact, with a few TSA screening notices in my bag.

On my main bag, I've wrapped a few turns of red electrical tape around the carry handles. I figure thats what people "aim" for when picking up bags from the carousel, so in theory people should notice it isn't their bag.

The TSA locks are quite pricey over here in SYD, so I pick up a few every time I'm in the USA - makes it much easier to part with the ones that still seem to come back operable but somehow mangled.

It might be that the baggage inspectors have a directive from a superior that if it is taking too long to receive, open, inspect, and re-lock the case.....Ergo the directive to " Keep things moving. ".

No, I suspect they just can't be bothered

Fly with a firearm in your checked bag, you are required under federal law to use your own non-TSA lock that only you know the combination to or have the key.

Firearm also does not need to be a 'regular' gun, can be a flare gun without the flares.

Watch the video on this website(other sites have the same stuff, just like the way this guy puts the talk together):

http://www.itstactical.com/intellicom/physical-security/flying-with-a-firearm-and-airline-travel-tips-by-deviant-ollam/

coming back from Cabo this week, the Mexican security agents were present even before I checked by bag. I had to undo my zip ties on the spot. But the bad things was that they wouldn't let me put the zip ties back on after they inspected my bag saying that I cannot touch the bag after they inspected. People next to me were not allowed to re-lock either. What a great system they have.......:(