I have had the same thoughts. When I travel with my ski bag, which is one of the hard plastic ones, about 25% of the time TSA will forget to reattach the metal clip which holds the two ends of the case together (the ends slide in together and are held in place by a clip). Meaning that the ends of the case could come apart at any time. I thought about putting a conspicuous note on the next to the clip holes but decided against it because I am worried someone will get offended. So I don't do it, and instead carry an extra clip for the case.