TSA Security Locks
 

I purchased some TSA approved "Travel Sentry" security locks last year when they first came out (4 digit combo locks that have the special key for the TSA to open them up if they want to inspect the bag).

Sent an email off to the TSA today because they've not been doing a good job at either GEG or LAX with closing the lock correctly at either LAX (terminal 3, Alaska) or GEG. Two of the locks have been lost because they fell off in transit in the open position, and I've had to go back to the airport a couple of times to have them open the lock with the key and reclose it correctly so that I can open it again with the combination.

I just re-ordered some more TSA approved locks, but this time through eBags. I'm hopeful that they'll be a bit more sturdy.

And I'm also hopeful that the TSA will respond with an indication of retraining at both LAX and GEG with respect to closing the locks after they've been opened by them.

I have used the TSA-approved key locks (not the combination ones, anyway) a few times with mixed luck. The screeners at DCA told me I'd have to wait with my bag for them to inspect it "since it was locked," and it took me a few tries to explain to them that it was a TSA lock they could open without needing my help (of course, the guy also kept trying to take my carryon, to which I kept having to say, "No, I'm carrying this one on!" Go figure.)

Aside from the screeners beeing confused about the lock--even though it has the big TSA symbol right on its side and a big "TSA 001" next to the keyhole--I haven't had any problems with them. The times the bag has been opened, the lock was still there and was closed just fine, and there have been times they apparently didn't open it at all. I've been lucky--my fiancee's bag had its zipper nearly ripped off with a TSA-approved lock on it (the lock never showed up, nor the zipper pulls, and one of the plastic TSA bag "locks" was on it when she picked it up at bag claim)

Two words: zip ties.

Do you mean wire ties or the yellow things that often come with baggies?

I've thought of using wire ties, but being unable to carry a pair of scissors with me, how do you get the wire ties off when you get to your destination? One could always use nail clippers, but....

I haven't had any trouble with my bag being unlocked when I retrieved it. But I have run across many TSA agents who apparently aren't familiar with them.

TSA: Is your bag unlocked?
Me: No, it has a TSA lock on it.
TSA: What? It needs to be unlocked.
Me: It has a TSA approved lock. See the TSA symbol? You guys can open it.
TSA: Oh. **whispers to fellow employee** Okay, thank you.

I've had this conversation with at least 10 different TSA employees, as recently as last week at ROC...I thought by now they were a pretty common thing.

LOL. I have to chuckle at these experiences...not at the passengers but at the TSA screeners. All I can do is shrug my shoulders at this one.

TSA locks shouldn't be the problem that they apparently are in these incidents. Could be that in each of these accounts an inexperienced screener was involved. We're in the process of cross-training our checkpoint screeners in baggage, so that's one possibility. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, there are always a certain number of those who are slow on the uptake.

I'm willing to bet that a great majority of travellers have had no problems with the TSA locks.

You mean they're not cross-trained right now anywhere? No wonder some TSAers might feel a sense of the "same old thing" every day.

Many hotels have cross-trained personnel....it saves money an additional staffing and delivers better service.

Actually, we're probably closest to being fully cross-trained at my airport than most. We've had the majority of our screeners cross-trained for over a year, almost two years. However, with transfers from other airports and new hires, we've had to contend with single-trained screeners, mostly checkpoint screeners, and it's all boiled down to money. I don't understand all the ins-and-outs of training, but a lot of it has to do with TSA-recognized instruction as opposed to in-house training. That's been the biggest drawback to getting our screeners cross-trained.

You are absolutely right about that sense of boredom and monotony. I've always been fond of working checkpoint and never thought I'd ever prefer anything else. However, since I've been flipping back and forth between baggage and checkpoint, I look forward to baggage more than I do checkpoint. (This is a pretty significant admission, and the joke around the airport is that I've been seduced by the Dark Side of the Force.) The variety makes the job more enjoyable.

And you're absolutely right about cost-savings and effectiveness. Cross-training cuts down on overtime because all we have to do is cross-load our available workforce. And the variety results in happier screeners...for the most part. There's always that small percentage in any workforce who are never satisfied regardless of effort or who cling to some belief that this is all a conspiracy designed specifically against them personally.

I am surprised that there are still airports that haven't made an effort towards cross-training.

I've been using them for quite some time now in probably about 15 -20 different locations without any trouble.

My airport's entire TSA staff is cross-trained as well as many other airports. I'm sure that most cat III and IV airports have all cross-trained personnel.

TSA Sent Email to CSMs at GEG/LAX Term 3
 

Got a response back from the TSA that they were forwarding my email to the Customer Service Managers at GEG and LAX to alert them to the issue of the locks apparently not being closed correctly by the baggage screeners.

All in all, a satisfactory result.

hmmm
 

Cat X isnt very versed at cross training. DEN doesnt have many at all.

I mean wire ties. I usually leave just enough slack in the loop so that I can fit a key into it and twist it until it breaks.

I've never had an issue with baggage inspection using them. The one time I've had a bag inspected, the zip tie was replaced with a supposedly uniquely-numbered breakaway plastic lock from the TSA.

I need to buy around 10 of these TGA approved locks for friends .
Are there outlets that sell them at lowish prices in the USA or canada?
Ozflier

I fly from EWR to SNA through CVG one week ago and had a locked TSA lock on my suitcase. When I picked up my suitcase at SNA, the lock was completely gone with the card inside saying that my bag had been inspected. What irritates me is that the lock was cut off when it had "TSA" in big yellow letters on the lock. I'm assuming its not worth the time to try to get reimbursed for a cheap lock but has anyone had any experience? I'm also assuming its not worth complaining to the TSA either. Is there something I did wrong or do these screeners need more training?

I got mine at Target. Don't remember exactly how much, but it was less than $10. The combination ones are more expensive than the ones with keys.

I got mine from Brookstone on-line ($19.95 for two combo locks). Brookstone has been good at replacing them from a customer service standpoint when the TSA cuts them. I'm not sure how other vendors are.

I've had mixed results with the locks -- they've been cut more times than I'd like (LAS, LEX, DTW, etc), but at the same time I've had some success with them.

However, more often than not I come across the following scenario:

TSA: Is your bag unlocked?
Me: No, it is locked with a TSA certified locked.
TSA: Sir, you'll need to unlock it
Me: It is a TSA certified lock, you're supposed to have a master key for it.
(repeat above two or three times, sometimes get a TSA supervisor)
TSA: Oh.. ok. :rolleyes:

Usually they figure it out, but other times they don't and it gets cut.

I feel it's more important than ever to lock luggage, especially when traveling overseas to (and through) specific countries. First there is theft to deal with, but of more importance is introduction of items to ones luggage. There have been many documented cases of items (i.e. drugs) being introduced into luggage by baggage handlers as a part of drug smuggling operations.

Currently there is a high profile case of an Australian in Bali, Indonesia. In this case four kilos of marajuana were introduced to her luggage as part of an (alleged) Australian domestic drug tafficking operation - the marajuana was not removed and this lady was caught by Customs upon arrival in Indonesia where the importation of illicit drugs may result in the death penalty.

Having been in the states for the past week, I don't know what the status of this particular case is. As a result of this, vendors at major airports in Australia have introduced shrink wrapping of luggage (even better than locks) for $8 AUD per suitcase. I've seen the shrinkwrapping available in many other airports and I feel it is a great method to protect your suitcase from theft or introduction of items. Short of shrinkwrapping, which I don't believe we'll see available in US airports anytime soon, is locking your luggage.

I travel to and through nations in SE Asia where the death penalty exists for the importation of illegal drugs; as a result, I feel it's extremely important checked luggage is secure.

Best,

SDF_Traveler