So i got my bags but my tsa approved locks were missing. Anything I can do? I'm thinking about filing a amex baggage claim for stolen items

Filing claims with your airline and the TSA is probably the best you can do.

TSA-approved locks are notorious for not arriving at their destinations. Sometimes, they become jammed in the airline's automated baggage handling equipment and break off. Sometimes, TSOs who remove them in order to conduct inspections neglect to re-attach the lock. And, regrettably, sometimes unscrupulous folks (either at the airlines or TSA) obtain master keys for locks (or remove them by other means) in order to steal. Whether your problem was accidental or intentional is probably impossible to determine.

Did you file a police report at the airport? They probably have a box of them and could have given you a handful. smiley face here.

Going forward don't bother with them, half the time they never arrived with my luggage, once I even got a different lock back.

Or, in my case, you'll arrive at your destination to find your lock has been cut off, taped to a TSA inspection card and stuck inside the bag.

Consider using zip ties in the future. Lots of threads on this subject. They allow you to keep track of when your bag has been opened, and they are a lot cheaper than a lock if (when) broken. A lock isn't going to keep a determined thief out of your bag anyway.

Yeah, might have to switch over to the zip ties

My trips through the US this year (10 TSA encounters) was the first time in 6 years where I <i>didn't</i> lose a lock. (then it gets lost while repacking my bag in Rome. >_<)

For most types of luggage, zip ties will not help you keep track of when you bag was opened. In my opinion, hard sided luggage with no zippers are the most secure type of luggage. But nothing is perfect. A strap that locks wrapped around the body of your bag can really help, too.

Unless the OP states that other items were missing, its reasonable to assume the lock was ripped off the bag by the automated baggage handling system (I have seen this happen a few times - its pretty quick, just takes a second or two), or was left off during inspection.

If items are missing, its safe to assume the lock was removed for reason of theft, obviously.

nothing else was missing from what I saw.

TSA cuts them off all the time because it is easier than looking for the key.

The lock is much harder than the soft aluminum lock bracket on my luggage, which was undamaged, and TSA tried to argue the automated equipment must have ripped the lock off. I pointed out my neatly folded clothes were now a mess.

They said I could sue them for the cost of the lock when I filed a formal claim. I was so irked I almost did (and should have).

When Brookstone started offering TSA-friendly locks, they came with a guarantee that if a lock was cut off all you had to do was send it back to Brookstone with the TSA card and they'd replace the lock.

I don't know when they stopped offering that guarantee, but I don't see it listed now...make of that what you will.

Yep... and add a secure, hardened TSA proof lock to prevent theft. Completely legal and secure for flying in the US... if you have a "firearm" in the luggage and fill out the proper paperwork.

I use the methods described here when I travel and have to check valuable equipment. http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/

And if TSA decides they want to open your bag after check-in and can't, your bag will very likely be left behind.

You don't want to know the headaches involved with getting a firearm back inter-state.

I have my name and cell number inscribed directly above the lock. When I check the case and fill out the paperwork (30 seconds, tops) I then hang around for 10-15 minutes before going to security. I have rarely been called back to unlock the bag for a second inspection. Only once was the bag "lost". You should have seen the attention I got from American Airlines when I told them that the bag they lost had a "firearm" in it. It was found pretty quickly.

As for getting the "firearm" back inter-state... Not an issue. My "firearm" is a cheap plastic flare gun. It meets all the Federal requirements for being a firearm (for flying purposes) without the legal hassles. It is fully legal even in NJ and other gun-hating locations. And if the flare gun is truly lost/stolen I don't really care.

The whole point of the exercise is to protect my valuable electronic devices that are in the hard case luggage from the theft by TSA or baggage handlers. I never had a problem with theft from luggage until the TSA took over security, using Federal regulations against them has a certain symmetry, don't you think?