Questions about padlocks:

I've never put anything more valuable than clothes and cheap toiletries in my checked bag (even before 9/11), but I'd rather not get home to find a love letter and feel like I have to burn and bury everything I packed.

That having been said, if I put a TSA padlock on my checked bag, does that reduce the chance of a inspection, whether random or triggered by a TS"O" seeing something explosive or worth stealing on the X-ray? I'd think it might, as the TS"O" would have to go to a few seconds of extra effort, while more vulnerable suitcases are sitting around nearby. Kind of analogous to parking next to an unlocked car.

Also, regarding non-TSA combination padlocks on backpacks through the X-ray: does this reduce the chance of the TS"O"s "randomly" stalling you for a grope so they can liberate the valuables out of your backpack? I realize that I could cut into my backpack with a Leatherman, but a padlock would obviously stop surreptitious slipping and, once again, move them to an easier target.

Thanks!