TSA Approved Luggage Locks

[OneBadApple]

Does anyone have the TSA approved luggage locks and if so what has your experience been with them? Are they worth the money?

TIA!!!

 

[beccasmom]

I bought ours from LLBean; I think they were something like $8 each, but they may be available for less. I lost the packaging and had to log onto the manufacturer's website to learn how to change the combinations, but it was relatively simple. I don't believe our luggage has been opened since we started using them a year ago. It makes me feel a little more secure, but siince the master key is available to so many folks, I have no illusions our stuff is that much safer. Whatever I take of value I am carrying in my purse or carry-on anyway.

 

[snowbunny]

I had one of the Bean locks cut off...from what I read, TSA is likely to cut off even "approved" locks about 50% of the time.

I'm getting tired of having stuff obviously opened and no TSA note inside though. We have one item of my DD's that we travel with a lot, which seems to be opened on every trip (I can tell because they never put the twist tie back on the zipper), and only twice has the TSA card been put in.

My theory is the baggage handlers use the TSA as a handy opportunity to open bags and have a look around for anything valuable, figuring they can point the finger at TSA. Anyway I'm going to try the "Indicator" lock (or something like that) that shows whether it has been opened. Supposedly all of them can be picked with a paper clip in about 2 seconds, but it may discourage the random opening we get all the time now.

 

[azgal81]

I have the indicator on mine so you can tell when it's been opened. But yeah I have been using it for years and have been very happy with it. I got mine at a lugguage store.

 

[katallo]

What is the indicator lock?

 

[marvin12]

I also have one with the indicator, There is a little dot on it that show red and if security opens your suitcase the indicator switches to green, that way you know they open it. I like these alot cause they don't break the lock and they come in a ton of colors.

 

[Mousema]

I just use good ole cable ties. You can get a package of 100 really cheap. I then put a pair of kids scissors in an outside pocket to cut them off with. Saves money and frustration. They've only been cut off once by TSA.

 

[vacation dreamer]

Does anyone have the TSA approved luggage locks and if so what has your experience been with them? Are they worth the money?

TIA!!!

I got a package of 4 at Target last year. Only 1 has been opened by TSA and it is still working. I have old locks that I have used, not worring if they got cut off. And the only reason I lock my suitcases is so the zipper doesn't unzip.

 

[xnascar2x]

We used the TSA locks back in Aug and had no problems.

 

[disneyag]

We have used ours for several years. Sometimes, they have been opened by TSA, but they still work. We've never had one cut off.

 

[OneBadApple]

I got a package of 4 at Target last year. Only 1 has been opened by TSA and it is still working. I have old locks that I have used, not worring if they got cut off. And the only reason I lock my suitcases is so the zipper doesn't unzip.

I will have to check Target out, I was going to order them online.

 

[Sleepy]

I have only run into one problem with my TSA locks. Somehow this past summer, after arriving at my destination and opening the lock, the combination got changed while the lock was OPEN (the "hook" was in a down lock position). I had no way of knowing what the combination was to get the "hook" up and back in the position it needed to be. I took the lock to the airport to see if they could "unlock it", but they said they would have to escort me to check-in to have it placed on my luggage, but without the combination........

Oh wait At that point would it have been possible to change the combination? The TSA guy made it sound like there was nothing I could do at that point and I would have to get a TSA person to "unlock" the lock with another key once I got to my destination or just start with "0-0-0" and keep going until I found the "new" combination.

Anyone know how to fix this (if it happens again) without me buying another lock as I did this past summer?

 

[Taja]

Borrow the instructions from someone! I know I have mine, but where they are... *sigh*

You also might find instructions on the manufacturer's website - or one from a manufacturer with a similar lock. They seem to work the same way.

 

[DebbieB]

I travel for business almost weekly and never had a problem with my TSA lock.

 

[angwill]

I always use my TSA locks and they do have indicators. This year one suitcase was opened and a sticky label with the TSA agents name was left on it. I expected them to open it since it was my son's and he bought a Pirates of the Carribean gun. I have been lucky, I guess, and have not had any lock cut off. It just makes me feel a little better that the lock is on the bag and the zipper won't just open. I also use it on our suitcase in the room after putting our souveniers in it. I know the suitcase can just be wheeled out of the room but again it just makes me feel a bit better.

 

[Hopefully]

Does anyone know if the TSA Approved locks can be used on flights to Europe?
TIA