Rick's TSA approved combo locks

They unlock them, just like they do in the US, with a master key. I had my bag inspected after checking it when I was returning from Spain in May. I don't know if it was done before the Spain-London leg or London-Chicago. The case was inspected, a note was left saying that they had done so, and the case was relocked. I might add that in Chicago, the TSA inspection takes place right in front of you, if you want to watch them, in the international terminal.

Use the lock. I did not use it goint to Rome and my bag was openned and my raincoat stolen from it. I made sure I put it on flying home from Venice. Better safe then sorry. I plan to use it from now on when I travel.

If its a tsa approved lock they have a master key that opens all of the locks. Mine wasn't opened when I went to Europe but if it was on the metal hook part there is a piece that pops up that indicates its been opened. And I also believe they are required to leave a note as well. I believe there is a master combo code that they use instead of breaking the locks. You can go to www.tsa.gov to check out what they say.

Based on my recent experience, I'm not sure the TSA Locks are any benefit?

On a recent flight from Bristol to Dublin via RyanAir, my TSA Lock was removed by bolt cutters! Whoever inspected the Pack didn't bother leaving a note, nor did they re-secure it with a luggage tag or whatever. The Pack was open and anything could have been stolen (or contraband placed inside).

If the inspection procedures are harmonized between the U.S. and the U.K., I certainly didn't find that to be the case on this occasion! On my next trip I might just use Rick's numbered luggage tags, as they'll be a lot cheaper to replace than buying a new TSA Lock each trip.

The TSA mandated inspections are only for flights into the US. Any other flight from the UK will see the TSA locks snipped open, just like any other lock.

It seems pretty haphazard. We used TSA locks in October from SFO-LHR-ROM, and Venice-LHR, with no problem. The locks were not cut off, and I don't believe our bags were opened.

I am a strong believer in locking my luggage when checking anywhere I fly. I use TSA approved locks, not the plastic twist off ones.

We travel lots of times with a bike, and I make sure that case is always locked for security.

Anything of value is in my carry on. That includes my camera, ipod, etc.

Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade, but a good knife or screwdriver in thru the zipper...and your locks are rendered useless :(

Or how about a razor blade through the fabric of your bag. Not once have I ever used a lock on my checked baggage. The only thing of value in in my bag would be a $50 eclectic razor. If some thief wants to steal that or a $10 t-shirt, I won't loose any sleep over it.

I find that cable ties work better -and are really cheap!
If I see my luggage on a carousel minus ANY cable tie (sometimes a case could have 4 of them!)-- I approach somebody in authority and say that I cannot be responsible for my case because it does not have ALL the cable ties that I had on it when I last saw it.
This has worked for me for the last TEN years -- before and after 9/11.

I have had TSA approved locks disappear from luggage (luckily I had cable ties as backup)and after telling those in authority as above had found that NO notice re opening luggage applied !

SO --- be vigiliant and DON'T rely on TSA "approved" locks anywhere

Ron...most thefts from baggage occur when they're out of your sight, not when you're right next to them in a train, train station, bus station, bus stop, taxi stand, hotel lobby, etc. And you don't need a large knife, bolt cutters, or lock-picking tools to push through the zipper or slice open the fabric. The fact remains that TSA-approved locks can't be opened at most of the world's airports. If you fly, say, from Madrid to Rome aboard a European airline and they want to examine your luggage after you've checked it, they'll snip the locks if necessary.

I am wondering what people put in there luggage that anyone would want.Anything of value I take in my carry on and if sosmeone steals my clothing I wouldnt like it but it wouldnt be a great loss.

I lock mine partly just to secure the zippers from coming open during handling.

Just gave my g/f my two TSA locks for her and her familys' trip to Germany. Not only were both locks missing but so was the zipper pulls on both suitcases that had my TSA locks! I was expecting the possibility of having the locks removed on the return trip to the US but this was from Newark, NJ to Frankfurt, DE.

OMG, David! No need to drag up every thread (some years old) that concerns locks in order to tell your cut-off lock story over and over! Once would have been plenty.

By the way "How do they open them" Try YouTube. Entire videos on how to get these open. It's not very hard. So they provide NO protection :)

Hey, not bad - two from 2007!!! Who says the search doesn't work??? I originally thought it was a valid complaint but now I wonder if its just attention seeking.

I have flown from Italy to the US two years ago and last week domestically within Turkey, both times with TSA approved locks attached when I departed. Both times the locks were missing when we picked up the bags. Each time nothing was missing from inside the suitcases. The locks were not placed into the bags. No notes indicating purpose/results of the search were present. I don't check bags in when traveling within the US, and thought that the experience from my flight from Italy was just an aberration. But based on my corroborating experience last week, it seems that when traveling internationally the TSA locks don't serve much purpose.