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.