Forum: travel.stackexchange.com
Tags: <luggage><tsa>
Title: TSA didn't relock my bag after they opened it. How can I lock it?
Question: Flying in the US, my bag was opened by TSA, and TSA didn't relock it. Now, whatever combo I enter, the bag remains unlocked.  It's a combo lock with a TSA compliant keyhole. TSA didn't break the lock, as there are no tool marks and it still latches/unlatches properly. Photo:   How do I get my bag to lock again?

Answers:
sents: text: Not a solution for the current problem, but for future reference it may be good to keep in mind: As others have pointed out, TSA-compliant locks are a joke and a waste of money.
text: They are not secure and do not serve the purpose (any more) that you would traditionally expect from a lock .
text: Too many non-TSA people can also open them (besides possible criminal minds at the TSA).
text: Better not to rely on them or use them.
text: I have traveled to the US only once under the TSA regime, but have a US-based travel agent friend that travels in and out more often.
text: The protocol I and her family (as well as many of her clients) follow with luggage is the following: Use inexpensive/scruffy-looking luggage (it attracts less attention as possibly containing valuables.)
text: My favorite and preferred is a chinese mass-produced black non-label nylon fabric with zipper sport bag with a hard floor and wheels on the back edge - it has traveled all over Europe and to the US as well as locally.
text: I also like the fact that it is more flexible packing-wise than the hard clamshell-type luggage.
text: "Lock" luggage using cable ties (contributes to the "nothing valuable here" look, can be easily opened by the TSA if needed, but discourages quick/surreptitious (opportunistic) pilfering.
text: As a bonus, you can detect if it has been opened.)
text: Provide some extra cable ties topmost inside each bag (for the convenience of the TSA when they deem it worth their trouble to reseal your luggage.
text: You need to remember exactly how many you provided, additionally you could provide all different colors.
text: If one is missing, this is additional confirmation that your bag was opened.)
text: Take all valuables and items not easily replaced in carry-on luggage.
text: Deem everything in your checked-in as expendable and make contingency plans in advance for the case when something of it gets lost (or delayed, another headache with a similar solution).
text: E.g. take a change of clothes, small quantities of toiletries, and all medication in carry-on.
text: Obviously, the bulk of your clothes and shoes are checked-in -
text: it would be nice to keep them
text: but they can be replaced in a pinch.
text: Pack your luggage so that it attracts less attention from the TSA when put through a scanner, to minimize the need for opening and visual inspection (or pilfering by the presumed bad apple).
text: For instance they recommend to pack shoes uppermost, where they can be inspected easier on the scanner as not containing whatever they are looking for.
text: Also, pills are bound to attract attention (possible drugs)
text: so rather have them in carry-on where they can be taken out for inspection if needed.
text: If you are on important chronic meds, always take them as carry-on, as even delayed luggage will mean a break in your medication schedule - and one is not always able to obtain replacements in a different country.
text: In our limited experience, so far so good, no losses yet.
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/43071/fr13d
score: 61
sents: text: Get your own key for the TSA lock.
text: Unfortunately for the traveling public in the US, these locks are notoriously insecure.
text: Keys for them can be had for $10 or less on eBay.
text: ( example )
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/3221/Michael Hampton
score: 55
sents: text: Just had the same problem - bag could not be locked as all combinations even the right one opened the bag.
text: Simply grabbed a small screw driver, inserted it in the key lock and turned it back to the 'red dot' on lock.
text: Now bag can be locked and unlocked via the code.
text: By the Way, I could not turn the lock back again to the open postion....
text: all good now!
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/92088/Susan O'Brien
score: 12
sents: text: We stopped by at a tsa office at the airport and asked a “nice” agent to help you with their special key.
text: They can fix it in seconds if you meet a “nice” agent.
text: Good luck!
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/87628/Dom
score: 8
sents: text: This happened to me, too.
text: The TSA agent at the airport managed to lock it.
text: However, he told me that these locks are meant to lock back automatically when the key is removed in the open position.
text: He also said that if their key is moved to the locked position, the key cannot be removed without damaging the lock.
text: He could get the lock “unstuck”, so now the lock works.
text: If this happens again, I’ll have to take it to the repair shop...
answer_details: author: travel.stackexchange.com/users/99294/Promod
score: 3

Summary of the answers:
You could get your own TSA key or ask a TSA agent to lock it again, but you can also reset it by inserting a small screwdriver and turning it back to the red dot.
TSA agents have special keys for fixing TSA locks. Alternatively, a small screwdriver can be used to reset a malfunctioning lock.