Let me begin by saying that I know not to put anything valuable in my checked bags. My purpose of asking the question, consider those rare times when a bag containing valuables (laptop, iPod, etc.) were out of sight, yet in a somewhat secure area. I'm thinking of if I were to leave my PC bag in the care of a hotel bellman, a store merchant that held bags while you shopped, or in a foyer at the World Club while I grabbed a snack.

Is it safe or logical to hope the small padlocks are a deterrent? I envision a super-secret website where in-the-know baggage handlers can purchase a key that will open the "TSA-approved" combination locks.

If this is the case, I guess I should travel with a non-TSA padlock (i.e. Master brand) that I use in these instances, but didn't know if anyone knew if the TSA style keys were readily available to people that shouldn't have them.

You're better off using zip ties.

It's easy to take zip ties off and replace them without any obvious tampering

Now if you put zip ties on and then sealed them - either using wax or by melting the end it becomes more difficult

They're secure enough that TSA seems to cut them off rather than use their key. I quit using the locks after a couple disappeared.

For zip ties, I always use two ties of different colors.

Usually, I just don't even bother any more.

It's also easy to do the same with luggage locks, even those with Safe Skies and Travel Sentry logos. The point is even the professional luggage ransackers (TSA) don't bother taking the time to do this.

Yes, as has been stated, even using ransacker-approved locks is no guarantee that they won't be cut off.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...ant/locks.shtm

I use brightly colored zip-ties, however most zippers can be sprung with a blunt object and then re-sealed.

The point, like most security, is just to make the thief move on to an easier bag.

Perhaps something like this would suit:

http://www.exomesh.com/

I've been thinking of getting one myself.

Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered zip ties, but the brightly colored one's (I've seen 'em at Home Depot) might add a layer of protection, or at least awareness if someone got in your bag.

I used zip ties for years on a bag that had zippers that might have come undone in the tumble of being handled like a bag. Now I have a different style and neither lock nor zip tie.

Locks and zip ties are both much more durable than the cordura that surrounds them. A dedicated thief can cut that stuff with a box cutter, can snip the paddlelocks with relatively small set of pliers, and can cut a zip tie with nail scissors. They keep honest people honest, will tell you if you have already been stolen from, but provide no real security.

Zip ties are a PIA to remove if they're applied properly. Nail scissors do work but it takes time. I really like the idea of double zip ties.

A thief is looking for quick and easy entry into a bag. It's just like a house. You can't make your house theft-proof but you can provide deterrents.

There's no way to make your checked bag completely safe. However, you can make the thief look for that "unlocked door" instead of your "deadbolted door with a security light."

with zip ties, I took care not to tighten them all the way. By leaving a loop large enough to insert a ball point pen, for example, one can easily twist them off. With a decent small blade, you one can cut them off very easily. Of course we all arrive at our away from home destinations with no blades while thieves en route can have them.

If you are serious about knowinh how secure the TSA paddled locks are, get one, and get some pliers of various sizes. You will likely be surprised at how small an ordinary a tool can be and still effective at removing these locks.

Still, useless locks go well with all the other useless "security" we buy.

I would not worry about keys...........I am 97 pound weakling and when I had one malfuction I broke it off with my bare hands -- some security. It only will let you know if they visited the bag with a key.

Cable or wire cutters work great. Voice of experience here, we used these in the Navy and at the power plant for zip ties, and I use still them for peace-bonding prop weapons when I go to cons (or swapping holsters, that sort of thing, where I have to DE-peacebond the props). Better by far than any scissors or nail clippers ^.

That's about all the TSA lock is good for - I bought one from Target a little while back, and I literally thought the thing was going to come apart in my hand straight out of the package. Doesn't seem like much of a deterrent to me.

Keep a snake in your bag. No, scratch that -- Just put a label on the outside "DANGER. BAG CONTAINS LIVE COBRA."

Probably as effective as a TSA lock when it comes to deterring determined thieves. Probably more effective than a TSA lock when it comes to deterring the TSA.

They're useless when the TSA are the thieves themselves.