Originally Posted by
cheltzel
When I have lost locks (2 times), they appear to have been torn off because part of the zipper was broken as well. In both cases there was nothing missing in the contents and nothing was disturbed (like someone had looked for something).
I assume the locks were caught on something during handling or on the plane itself.
I started using luggage with integrated TSA locks about a year ago. No problems since then. But I didn't have many problems before either.
I have seen this happen. When the bag is placed on the conveyer belt we are required to place it face down, wheels up, because sometimes the wheels will roll and the bag can/will easily get jammed in the system, and once a pile up starts - usually where no one can easily reach it - it can cause a major problem. If you put the bag wheels down the airline baggage employees usually come up and yell at you (at SAT, anyways).
Where the locks, and often zipper tabs, get ripped off is where different conveyer belts meet. It very rare, and depends on a few things, such as how far down the zipper tabs and lock hang, and where they sit on the bag., and so on.
I've actually been able to save a few bags once they get caught like that - hit the emergency stop on the conveyer belt - but once it happens it usually takes place in just a few seconds.