Actually, I'd much rather they screen bags before you enter the secure area. Right now, from my understanding, you cannot lock your checked luggage in the US because they may open your bag up WITHOUT you present if they find something suspicious... At least, if they screen the bag in front of you, you get to put your lock on the bag... I don't like having my checked luggage unlocked, especially if I'm crossing international borders. You never know if someone slipped something into your suitcase... Like that Montreal incident. Try explaning that to a customs agent!