TSA Locks

[MIKEHONCHO]

Are TSA locks worth spending the extra money or does customs just cut them off any way.
thanks

[joe7f]

Never had them cut off, if the TSA does that, I think you may have the ability to seek damages (btw, I one time saw the color turn to red on mine while it was left in my room with a family and once more at a hostel...not sure if they are flaky or if I was staying around people that had that key...)

--Joey

[BelfastFlyer]

TSA locks dont get cut off, US customs have a key for them. The only thing that gets me is the cost, I have a few combination locks but they would be far too expensive to replace with TSA locks...

[Joker]

Originally Posted by BelfastFlyer

TSA locks dont get cut off, US customs have a key for them. The only thing that gets me is the cost, I have a few combination locks but they would be far too expensive to replace with TSA locks...

Although they are more expensive, you're talking about 30% more. Standard 3-dial combination locks are $12-15 on ebags.com for 2 TSA locks.

Given that they aren't cutting your lock off and you're stuck buying a new one once you've hit your destination, its a good investment.

[TheJake]

let me just say this as a baggage handler.... normally it isn't TSA or customs that rip your locks off...it's the equipment.

With that in mind I would suggest not locking your shit up until you arrive at your destination. The less things to get caught in the belts or on the sharp protruding objects around the inside of the plane, the better.

Of course I don't know much about airline baggage! :P

[LiveFreeorDie]

I am going to disagree with the above people because I have had my TSA approved locks cut off (and have previously posted about it) - the very first time I used them. Not only that, but several different times subsequent to that I have heard airline check-in agents advise other passengers NOT to lock their bags, even with TSA locks, because half the time the TSA agents can't find their special tool and so cut the locks off anyway. I am also fairly confident it was not the equipment because I always attach a lock to a single zipper so I can use it at my destination. This doesn't lock the bag of course but I have never had one of those locks ripped off by equipment. Were it to be ripped off, I would presume it would take the entire zipper as the locks are definately more rugged than the zipper. For the extra money, I do not think the TSA locks are worth it. I have traveled several hundred thousand air miles in the last couple of years and I have not had anything pilfered from my unlocked bags (but I do not check lots of valuable electronics, jewelry etc in my bags generally either). My current system is to leave my bags unlocked while enroute, but I bring plenty of pack locks to lock up my bags while they are in the hostel/hotel, etc.