The same has happened to me at the Norfolk Airport, but the problem was the USairways counter help who didn't know about the lock. They went back and the TSA said send the bags through.

Norfolk is one of the cities that does 100% inspection since there is no xray equipment. One time after TSA inspected the bags, the combination didn't work and it was impossible to go through 9999 combinations to get it open, so i just broke the lock open.m $10 bucks gone.

Last week my wife had her bags opened with the TSA locks on them and they took her makeup brushes, Now I have to file a claim.

There just is no real solution, but I still recommend the TSA locks in cities that have Xray as it eliminates the possiblilty of baggage handlers stealing from you.