Luggage locks are basically only a deterrence against casual crime-of-opportunity thieves or pickpockets. I've found it's much simpler to just use a zip tie on my zipper. Very easy to put on, easy to take off again once you get to your destination (nail clippers work well), and provides roughly the same security as a TSA lock. And it has the added benefit that you can tell if the TSA opened your suitcase because the zip tie will have been removed (whereas with the lock the TSA can look through your suitcase without leaving any indication).
There's no point using a lock on a zipper. You can just shove a ball point pen in between the zipper teeth and open the zipper itself. Then when you're done just rezip it with the still locked zipper pulls.
> <i>These consumer products are ‘peace of mind’ devices, not part of TSA’s aviation security regime.</i> --TSA<p>In my opinion, the TSA itself is nothing more than a "peace of mind" device.
If you want to ensure no one can open your luggage, travel with a firearm. It doesn't have to be a real firearm, but if you declare the firearm you are required by the airlines to have a lock on your luggage that can't be opened by TSA.
I've never locked a checked suitcase in my life. And I've traveled all over the world.<p>Of course it goes without saying that I only carry laundry in my checked luggage. Laptop, chargers, camera, etc goes in a carry on backpack.
<p><pre><code> These consumer products are ‘peace of mind’ devices, not part
of TSA’s aviation security regime.
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A bump key could open the majority of locks and yet we still put such locks into new doors? These flawed locks just serve the purpose of forcing whomever wants to enter to cross a psychological boundary from legal into illegal. And that is still a good reason to use flawed locks.<p><pre><code> In other words, you might as well not use locks at all.
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Simply not true
The only reason I bother with a lock on my (zippered) luggage is to keep the double-zipper ends together and keep it from working itself open as it bounces around the baggage handling equipment.<p>Like most things concerning security in general and airport security in particular, it's a sham, meant for appearances only.
Just cut them off, that's what the TSA does anyway. I stopped buying those because apparently the TSA just cuts them off when they don't happen to have one of their own keys handy. They threw the cut locks right back into my bags along with the note declaring they had searched them.
Wow...will this not pretty much screw hotel room security ? An employee can go and open your lock in 30 seconds and relock your luggage after stealing. How do you prove that someone from the hotel stole it ("sir we obviously can't open locks that only the TSA can")
Can anyone think of any ways where it would be possible to have the benefits the TSA was hoping for (cheap locks that can be opened by TSA and the owner but no one else)? Because I can't seem to think of any.
I read a while ago that a good method of understanding whether something had been tampered with or opened was to use glittery nail polish on the edges and take a close up, photo on your phone. Even if someone repainted it they wouldn't achieve the same pattern
Isn't it better to use a cheap non-TSA lock on your luggage? If they open it, the lock is destroyed, and you know for sure someone has opened it - either personel or someone with criminal intentions. Or will this result in more trouble?
i just thought about this yesterday.. would there be a market for a logging device for travel baggage? like a small camera and a mcu that activates when sensors (probably magnets between the halves) indicate the baggage is opened? preferably discrete. not to deter but to identify who opened it. logs time also to know the rough position of the breach.
You can watch the talk where they announced it at HOPE here: <a href="http://livestream.com/internetsociety/hopeconf/videos/130717705" rel="nofollow">http://livestream.com/internetsociety/hopeconf/videos/130717...</a> I saw it live and it was a pretty fun talk (also helped that it was midnight and the alcohol was flowing freely). Definitely check it out!
Put your luggage in a Pelican-case and use some relatively hard to pick, but easy to cut locks. Should they want to open it they will just cut the locks. Alternatively you can use a TSA approved lock and some zip ties as a simple tamper evident seal.
I thought this happened a while back and hadn't realized it didn't yet. Very cool.<p>Not a big deal with the TSA because honestly these tiny, flimsy locks were never about security but to ensure the casual encounter with someone unknown doesn't get into your bag and possibly steal something (anyone who really wants something from your bag can cut these with the tiniest of bolt cutters). Also they can be handy with keeping annoying zippers together.
“These consumer products are ‘peace of mind’ devices, not part of TSA’s aviation security regime,” England wrote.<p>"peace of mind" devices, that pretty much sums up the "security theater" charade that is the TSA. If its not important why do they have master keys at all?<p>Similar to how they randomly select people sometimes to use the pre-screen lines.
Previous discussion from last September: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10196197" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10196197</a>
The TSA were stupid but to be fair anyone with an access to a few suitcases can build the key, not to mention that suitcase manufacturers and luggage lock designers had access to the specs.