Edited by author 06-29-2003 08:50 PM
The TSA is being stubbornly uncreative about the whole inspecting luggage issue. I can understand an initial reaction of "We need to inspect luggage, so everything must be unlocked."

As an initial solution, that's OK. But then after a few weeks I'd hope they'd ask "Are there better ways to do this? Can we find a way that combines searches with allowing locked luggage? Do we really want Americans traveling to other countries to have luggage with tags that scream out 'I'm American and my luggage isn't locked!'? Can we conceive of no circumstances in which a traveler would be safer if the luggage was locked?"

But they haven't asked any of these: they've stuck, for no reason, with their original, quickly though out solution.

For example, I've suggested using combination locks with big fluorescent tags that have the key written on them. If the luggage isn't inspected, the TSA simply rips off the tag. If the luggage is opened, the tag is used to unlock the luggage and is then ripped off. This wouldn't take any more time than the current system, and people would know that the luggage arrives locked without the "Hi, I'm an unlocked suitcase belonging to an American" message.

Or have the person's phone number and call them. Or do searches right away while the person is there. Or brainstorm some solution which allows travelers the safety of locked luggage.

Because even if you aren't traveling with luxury goods, you still might need to pack thief-tempting materials, especially now that you can only take one main carry-on bag. If you're hiking you might need boots, walking sticks, a knife or binoculars. If you photograph you'll need tripods and lenses. Anywhere you might need guidebooks. All of these can be tempting, and you should be able to keep them locked- if not for the departing airport, certainly for some destination airports.