I have my name and cell number inscribed directly above the lock. When I check the case and fill out the paperwork (30 seconds, tops) I then hang around for 10-15 minutes before going to security. I have rarely been called back to unlock the bag for a second inspection. Only once was the bag "lost". You should have seen the attention I got from American Airlines when I told them that the bag they lost had a "firearm" in it. It was found pretty quickly.

As for getting the "firearm" back inter-state... Not an issue. My "firearm" is a cheap plastic flare gun. It meets all the Federal requirements for being a firearm (for flying purposes) without the legal hassles. It is fully legal even in NJ and other gun-hating locations. And if the flare gun is truly lost/stolen I don't really care.

The whole point of the exercise is to protect my valuable electronic devices that are in the hard case luggage from the theft by TSA or baggage handlers. I never had a problem with theft from luggage until the TSA took over security, using Federal regulations against them has a certain symmetry, don't you think?