I just realized that baggage screening follows one of 2 patterns:

1. Luggage to TSA to airline. ^

Usually the TSA person I hand my bag to asks me if the bag is locked. If I tell them it's not or it has a TSA lock, they tell me I'm all set. However, if I tell them it's locked, they tell me to wait to tell them how to unlock and RElock the bag should a physical search be necessary. If the TSA person just tells me I'm all set and can leave, I tell him/her that my bag is locked, he/she immediately tells me to wait. I've NEVER encountered a TSA person barking to keep my bag unlocked when the screening equipment is right near us.

2. Luggage to airline to TSA to airline

I either get a courteous question from the airline check-in agent "Are your bags unlocked" or a gestapo-like barking command "No locks allowed". It seems like most pax just unlock their bags reluctantly. I simply respond "I have TSA locks". I haven't attempted to check bags with non-TSA locks in airports with this kind of set-up. Now, my question is: has anyone answered "Yes, they're unlocked and are ready to be screened. NOW I'D LIKE THEM RELOCKED AFTER THE TSA SCREENS MY BAG AND HANDS THEM BACK TO YOUR AIRLINE."???

I never had the audacity to ask such a question. However, I think I should and have an argument prepared and be ready to start asking for airline supervisors if necessary. Certainly it'll take much longer for the TSA to get their act together with the behind-the-scenes physical searches without the pax present issue. However, if we could somehow focus our energies in getting our bags RElocked after the TSA bag screening, then if anything is missing, then we know EXACTLY where to place the blame.

Argument concept to give to airline: Your bag is in the TSA's hands for about 20-30 minutes in your origin airport. However, your bag is going to be handled by numerous airline/contract bag handlers in connecting airports and destination airport. Airline custody is going to last from 2 hours to 22 hours. Just because of those 20-30 minutes means that I can't have my bags locked afterwards?

Yes, I know that you could easily buy TSA locks and softshell baggage to handle this issue; however, I'm going on principle here. [Personally, when I'm flying out to foreign airports, I like to use hardshell luggage that has built-in key and combo locks. I haven't flown abroad after TSA bag screening was in place.] Keep in mind that many first-time, infrequent, or foreign travelers are unaware of baggage handling these days.

While this idea is a half-solution, I think putting pressure on the airline would be much easier. What do people think?

- Pat