Have you ever had a suitcase damaged while going through airport security? Have you ever gone out and bought a lock for your suitcase only to have it destroyed while being inspected? Have you ever had anything stolen from your luggage after it had been checked in at the airport? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, you can fully understand the frustration that many travelers feel. It may seem impossible to keep your luggage secure at an airport today, but by using TSA-approved locks, luggage security is now better than ever.

TSA-approved locks come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Some are opened with number or letter combinations that the traveler sets, while others open with keys. The one thing that is common among them is the appearance of the Safe Skies torch and flame logo or the Travel Sentry red diamond on the package.

There are two basic advantages of securing your luggage with a TSA-approved lock.

1. The locks have a mechanism that any TSA luggage inspector can open without having to damage the lock or cut if off. Inspectors have a special key that can allow them access to any bag secured with a TSA-approved lock.

2. The locks have a feature that lets you know if your bag has been tampered with during inspection. There is a color indicator that displays two colors, green and red. When the indicator display is green, this means that your luggage has passed through security safely and that no one has attempted to tamper with it. If the indicator display is red, it means that somewhere in the inspection process someone has tried to break into your bag. It doesn't indicate if the break-in was successful, just that it occurred. If your lock displays a red color when you retrieve your luggage, it is advisable for you to alert airport security.

TSA-approved locks can be purchased at a variety of places. They can be purchased in luggage departments at major department stores, in office supply stores, and anywhere that sells travel accessories. They can also be purchased online. The price of a lock can range from $6 to $10.

While using a TSA-approved lock can help keep your luggage secure, there are other things you can do to make going through security a lot easier.

• Pack your luggage using easily inspected mesh cubes, mesh bags, or packing folders.
• Be sure and arrive at the airport in plenty of time. Check the TSA website for a suggested arrival time.
• Have your ticket/boarding pass and ID in your hands ready to show inspectors.
• Be sure to place metal objects in your carry-on luggage and try to keep metal on your body to a minimum.
• Wear shoes that are easily removed.
• If you are traveling outside of the country, remember to have your passport ready for inspection.

While no one can guarantee that your luggage will be completely safe while going through airport security inspections, purchasing and using a TSA-approved lock on your bags can make it as secure as possible. Traveling is frustrating enough without having to worry about the security of your luggage while at the airport. Buy a lock - it will be money well spent!

Garrett Rohde
Former Airline Pilot and Travel Expert
www.Luggage-Pilot.com