You're missing my point. I'm not arguing in any way, shape, or form that the TSA steals things. They do, and it's blindingly obvious.

I'm asking what the point of a lock for a laptop is in the face of that threat. What are you locking it *to*? Kensington lock ports only help you fasten the laptop to an immovable object, which is in dreadfully short supply on a conveyor belt through an x-ray machine. They don't impede boot, and can be removed given time without damaging the laptop in any way.

My question is less "who would steal your laptop" and more "how is this not like locking a convertible with the top down?"