TSA Locks

Ive used them recently on my RS bag since it was full of choclates to take home from Switzerland - no problem. I thought I read somewhere they were ok for Europe - but even at home, if the curious checker didnt have a key - they'd cut it if they wanted to. Also works well on the road for when you leave bags in the hotel during the day. Rick mentions he has never locked his bags - but im nto sure how many times he actually checked the bags for his flights.

I use them whenever I travel, either domestically or internationally. I've been on five international trips since 2001, and I have never had them cut off or been asked to remove or unlock them for inspection.

I used them last year in my trip to Europe and they didn't get cut off.
I also use them on my day pack for piece of mind when I have it on my back.
However my luggage was searched , somewhere between cleveland and Toronto, but the lock was uncut.
I heard stories about being cut off if the TSA guy doesn't have the key, but I would file a complaint if they would do that.

Well Mark, while my wife and I took only carry-on for the flight to Paris last year, she checked her bag for the flight home from Rome. She had a TSA lock on her luggage when she checked it in, but the lock had been cut and her luggage had obviously been searched when she retreived it upon landing in US.

We were told to lock our luggage at all times on flights within China, so I used the TSA locks. They have a green "dot" when they've not been tampered with that changes to red if they've been opened. In two weeks mine was apparently opened once, but I was able to reset the lock and continue to use it.

Where do you buy a TSA approved lock? We probably won't be checking any luggage, but I'm curious.

Any luggage store should have them. Just ask for a TSA lock and they'll give you one. I forget what they cost but they are widely available.

You can also order them from catalogs or online from places like Magellan's. I've paid $10 for two from places like that or gotten a set of 2 for $4.95 at TJ Maxx or Tuesday Morning.

Thanks for the information! Sounds like it shouldn't be too hard to find these items in San Francisco.

TSA locks are sold all over. Target sells several different styles of them -- keyed, combination, resetable, etc.

Well....

IMHO locks do one thing. Tell the thief you might have something he/she wants. If the "TSA" can open it so can EVERY baggage handler in the world etc. I have never locked and never had an issue.

As for "complaining" if it's cut off... if you read the TSA webpage they can pretty much do what they want to your luggage so I wouldn't waste my time there. (I complain about them a lot so I reference that page often LOL!)

I find it easier to lock, since my bags have zippers. I just prefer to have the zippers secured so they don't come open during handling (particularly when they are stuffed full).

I don't use TSA locks, after having mine cut off. I now use plastic cable ties. You can get them at any harware/Walmart store. They are cheap,discourage the casual thief, and do not shout "I have valuables". Either way, happy travels.

The idea of using cable ties does work. You can even get them in black rather than just the white. The only problem I've found with them is that you have to have something sharp to cut them off. And cutting them off or rather finding something to cut them off with can be a minor hassel if you want into the bag in a hurry.

Doesn't work for me since I like to lock my carry-on and must get into it several times during a flight.

Cutting off the ties is not a problem. All of our bags have a small zipper pocket on the outside the bags. I don't secure that pocket because there is nothing in it except a large toe nail clipper and extra ties. Worked well for many years. Even a small nail clipper would work and is legal to carry.

I've made three trips to Paris, one to Ireland and one to Austria with my TSA locks and have never had a problem with them, nor have they been cut. I know that my bags were repeatedly searched after Austria Airlines lost my bag on a transfer to Paris and the bag was searched when it finally got to Paris and again when it hit Dallas trailing me home.

I used a TSA approved lock for a domestic flight a few days ago. They cut the lock and part of the zipper on my suitcase. It was only the second time I had used the suitcase.

I just returned from a series of four domestic flights. My bag was searched by TSA on the first return leg, but the lock was securely relocked in the exact configuration I had had it (three zippers locked together).

I don't "get" the TSA locks. They all use the same key, so all a thief has to do is get a key and he/she can open any bag they want.

I've never quite understood it either. Unless one is carrying a metal suitcase a simple razor blade will bypass any lock placed on a bag. I never place anything of value in any of my checked luggage, so I've never felt locks were needed.

I generally use a twist tie (like those that come with garbage bags) to secure my zipper pulls. As others have said, no lock is going to be thief proof - I'm more interested in my bags not accidently opening. I stuff a few extra ties in my suitcase since they invariably become lost or stripped during the trip. Much easier to open than cable ties. :-)

Carol, TSA locks do not all use the same key. We have several sets of locks and they are all keyed differently. I'm not even sure that all TSA locks have the same master key, since two of our sets have different code numbers on the bottom.

Did not use it going to Italy last month, but used it going home. My rainjacket was stolen going over. I had bought a lock and decided to use it going home. No one openned it as far as i could tell.

just for the record, we used TSA locks in the US, and the TSA cut them off anyway. from that experience, i wonder whether they really stop to check, or just cut it and not care.

i have traveled in europe (and elsewhere) without locks on my bags and had no problems. but i also carry anything expensive and everything i would be truly sad to lose in my carry-on.