Federal Airport Screener can answer questions

[WebmasterAlex]

muffin,
maybe brian has a better answer but I keep a pair of nail clippers in an outside pocket of my checked luggage, they will cut the plastic ties just fine.
As for the plastic ties being just as secure, I can second that. I lost the combination to a travelpro suitcase, a very good brand. It took one of the mechanics on the Disney Magic less than 10 seconds to open it with a screwdriver!

 

[Roxter79]

I also recommend taking nail clippers to cut plastic ties. Safety scissors (round tips) can be taken but you have to be careful as sometimes scissor interpretation is different from person to person.