Anyone have recent experience using them and their being in the same condition before and after luggage has been checked/returned (or having them clipped)?

Supposedly TSA and airline personnel are familiar with them, (recognize the TSA "logo" affixed to them) and are able to open them and replace them without damaging them or luggage.

Also, has anyone noted inconsistencies in the administration of the TSA's rules with regard to what can and cannot be brought aboard aircraft in carry-on luggage, handbags, totes, etc. etc.?

I tried to find more info on the TSA website, and the only thing is "TSA approved locks can be used". How do I know which locks I can buy? What is TSA logo, the only logo on the website is of homeland security, I don't expect to find it on the locks! In the store they will assure me any lock is allowed, just leave your money!

Help me get the right lock, and I'll tell you at the end of June how it was C

Here are links (Sharper Image and Brookstone) illustrative of the ones they have for sale. You'll see the "TSA logo" I referred to in my opening post.

http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/ca...l?sku=KT101SLV

http://www.brookstone.com/shop/thumb...pe=subcategory

I know that others are marketing similar ones as well - I'm sure you can find them via a web look-up.

Cool! Thanks! Now I know what to look for - that "diamond-shaped" thingy!

OK, but these are only for use inside the US--obviously, right? I assume security personnel oveseas wouldn't know from the diamond-shaped thingy...

I have flown domestic with the new locks three times already, and the TSA screeners at all of the airports I flew through were very familiar with the new locks and how they operate. At one airport, they needed to see inside my bag, and the screeners were very quick to grab their ring of keys for the locks and open it up efficiently.

My only complaint about the locks is that the shank is somewhat flimsy. On one trip, one of the shanks got bent by the luggage handling. Fortunately, I was able to straighten it out with tools I had at home.

I just flew on Southwest Airlines from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles and was very disappointed to see my official TSA-approved luggage lock had been removed. It was not until I opened my luggage at home that I found it inside of my baggage with the shackle cleanly cut. The most amazing part of all of this is it was wrapped up in about 4 layers of "TSA" sticky tape. I thought of mailing it back with a letter of complaint to the TSA but after all the hassle it probably isn't worth the $7.99 to simply buy a replacement or not use locks at all.
And yes, this lock was clearly labeled with the diamond symbol and the words "TSA" and a key number printed on the bottom.

Thank you, Jeorgiagirl! I guess everything new needs some time to get used to. I got an advise either on this forum or on the airline forum - put a key ring on instead of a lock. I will probably try this.

I always just use cable ties. Very easy to remove if needed and easy to replace. Bag of 20 or so around $3. A pair of nail clippers in an outer pocket does the trick when I need to unlock it at final destination.

FainaAgain- yes, you are right. All new ideas take some time to get used to. In theory, these TSA approved locks are great: 3 to 4 digit combo lock, color sensor to tell you if the TSA has opened and relocked it, and your bag returns to you locked just like you left it - locked up! The TSA is even supposed to put a slip of paper into your suitcase to let you know that it was them and not some crook with a duplicate set of TSA keys. Of course there are always ways to "cheat" the system but this seemed to be a decent solution.
But until I know that all TSA crews are aware of these new locks, I will just have to take my chances with the key rings, cable ties, and cables which are the only alternatives for now.

Using a tip I probably got from someone on here, I used cable ties when I went to Hawaii last year. I was baffled when I opened my bags at the hotel to find the papers inside of my luggage informing me that my bags had been inspected. What baffled me was that the cable ties were still intack - I thought the only way to open them was to cut them.

Jeorgiagirl, take your cut lock back to the Brookstone where you bought it and they will replace it for FREE. That is the warranty that comes with all of the TSA-approved locks!

I show the baggage screeners that my lock is one of "theirs" when I hand in my bags, and even at SFO (non-TSA airport), they thanked me for it.

Bashful - From what I've heard, security will replace the cable ties if they have to cut yours off. Thats probably what happened.

I had my TSA ones cut also at the airport in Albuquerque. Didn't know it until we got home & then they taped up the cut ones in a notice about buying TSA approved locks!! Thanks for the tip, I will take them back to Brookstone & get replacements.

Bashful,

You might have installed the plastic ties backwards. If connected propertly, they must be cut to open.

"even at SFO (non-TSA airport)" - are there TSA and non-TSA airports? which ones? what's the difference?

There are a few airports (San Francisco, Kansas City, and a few others) that are still using contract screeners instead of the TSA. The contractors have all of the keys, just like the TSA. I asked them when I flew through SFO.

I used thmy TSA locks (from Magellens.com) R/T from California to Washington, D.C. They were intact on arrival at both destinations.

The thing to do is look at the FAA guidelines for parking to make it easy for your luggage to be screened by the machines instead of by hand. For example, we're now advised to pack shoes on top and not to stack books one upon another.