When do you need to use TSA locks?
Jul 28, 2011, 3:14 pm
#16
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Were you planning on throwing away your TSA-approved lock on arrival in the US? If you want to put a lock on your luggage, get a TSA lock, and use it everywhere.
Jul 28, 2011, 3:28 pm
#17
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Got perfectly good locks as it is but they're not TSA ones.
Jul 28, 2011, 3:39 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Cham CH
Posts: 1,645
If you want to gamble, you could use the regular lock on the journey to USA. Then again on the internal domestic (assuming there is one)...and if the lock does not get AK47'd, it'll be available for the home-bound.
However you run the risk that they not only massacre the lock but the suitcase too.
<hmmm, wonder if I should go into TSA...I quite fancy beating up suitcases to take out stress
>
Jul 28, 2011, 3:50 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2009
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After having repeated occurrences of having had my locks cut off mainly on US domestic legs after TATL, and finding the "we were here" TSA calling card slip inside, I stopped locking the bags. Can't remember finding a slip inside a normal suitcase since. Exception being golf bags, which they always seem to open.
Jul 28, 2011, 3:53 pm
#20
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After having repeated occurrences of having had my locks cut off mainly on US domestic legs after TATL, and finding the "we were here" TSA calling card slip inside, I stopped locking the bags. Can't remember finding a slip inside a normal suitcase since. Exception being golf bags, which they always seem to open.
Jul 28, 2011, 3:56 pm
#21
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Jul 28, 2011, 5:21 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2009
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It's Survived 2 trips to the US and several domestic legs intact.
Jul 28, 2011, 9:53 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Missouri
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So, yes, you must use TSA locks going or coming or in the good old USA.
However, the TSA employees, who have the keys to the locks, are as guilty as baggage handlers of stealing stuff. Recently, a TSA agent in Florida stole over $50,000 worth of electronics from checked baggage in a 6 month period. He would stuff iPads, GPS receivers, you name it, down his pants. He would sell the stolen items online. Just go to news.google.com and search "tsa thefts". Plenty of articles to read.
However, the TSA employees, who have the keys to the locks, are as guilty as baggage handlers of stealing stuff. Recently, a TSA agent in Florida stole over $50,000 worth of electronics from checked baggage in a 6 month period. He would stuff iPads, GPS receivers, you name it, down his pants. He would sell the stolen items online. Just go to news.google.com and search "tsa thefts". Plenty of articles to read.
Jul 28, 2011, 10:48 pm
#25
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It's worked for me so far!
Jul 29, 2011, 12:29 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, Wash. USA
Posts: 1,531
So, yes, you must use TSA locks going or coming or in the good old USA.
However, the TSA employees, who have the keys to the locks, are as guilty as baggage handlers of stealing stuff. Recently, a TSA agent in Florida stole over $50,000 worth of electronics from checked baggage in a 6 month period. He would stuff iPads, GPS receivers, you name it, down his pants. He would sell the stolen items online. Just go to news.google.com and search "tsa thefts". Plenty of articles to read.
However, the TSA employees, who have the keys to the locks, are as guilty as baggage handlers of stealing stuff. Recently, a TSA agent in Florida stole over $50,000 worth of electronics from checked baggage in a 6 month period. He would stuff iPads, GPS receivers, you name it, down his pants. He would sell the stolen items online. Just go to news.google.com and search "tsa thefts". Plenty of articles to read.
Jul 29, 2011, 1:02 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: BRS
Posts: 336
A built-in combination lock? (ha, thank goodness there are some things my brain can remember then!)...if opened by TSA, you'll be buying a new suitcase for the next trip 
However some suitcases with built in combination locks are TSA-openable-without-violence. Look on the suitcase lock for a squadged hexagon in red/white and a keyhole.
However some suitcases with built in combination locks are TSA-openable-without-violence. Look on the suitcase lock for a squadged hexagon in red/white and a keyhole.
Jul 29, 2011, 2:35 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Slightly OT, but what do people use to remove their cable ties at the other end? I've always been worried that anything capable of cutting a cable tie runs the risk of being over-zealously confiscated from hand luggage. Nail clippers, maybe?
Jul 29, 2011, 2:42 am
#29
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Having learned my lesson, I now leave a miniature swiss knife in an outer (unlocked) pocket of the case and use that to open my case. My stock of cable ties is also in there.
Jul 29, 2011, 2:55 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,063
I am only using TSA locks on when I (seldomly) need something to check in on a flight to/from or within the US. I don't trust the TSA guy and I don't trust the baggage handlers at ORD, LAX, MIA, JFK ...... . My experience is that the TSA rambos use tools and destroy your property with and without TSA locks. I have one "US" suitcase.
For the rest of the world I NEVER use the luggage with TSA locks, as all airport and hotel thieves have a copy and can easily get into your suitcases undetected. I am not afraid in Asia and South America of things disappearing out of my suitcase but of things appearing in my bags. I have replaced on my trusted Rimova's all TSA locks with NON TSA locks.
For the rest of the world I NEVER use the luggage with TSA locks, as all airport and hotel thieves have a copy and can easily get into your suitcases undetected. I am not afraid in Asia and South America of things disappearing out of my suitcase but of things appearing in my bags. I have replaced on my trusted Rimova's all TSA locks with NON TSA locks.