This Combination padlock is the official TSA (Transportation Security Administration) Lock for travelling to the United States, and is a recent addition to our travel accessories.
From the outside it looks just like any old combination lock, but when you look underneath you can see a small socket which presumably is the place where the customs officials can open the padlock. That socket is the reason this lock is different to other combination locks, each lock can be opened and relocked by staff at the airports. This saves them having to cut into your case, or break off the padlock if they wish to examine the contents of your case.
Initially I thought ‘well, that doesn’t make it very safe’ but if customs decide they want to examine your bags, they will do so whether it causes irrevocable damage or not (I’ve seen suitcases on carousels which have been cut open by customs, and resealed with customs packing tape), so it’s better to allow them to look in your case with no problems. Actually I’d prefer they examined my case while I wasn’t there. There’s nothing worse than having a good looking young chap rooting through your bloomers whilst you’re stood there looking embarrassed.
Using the lock is as simple as any other combination lock, you just need to twist the shackle by 90 degrees and register the combination you wish to use, then release the shackle and off you go. Then all you need to do is remember your combination, but at least being able to set your own is better than having a combination set for you, as you’re more likely to remember your own number.
I bought this initially for our trip to America because I know how paranoid they are over there, but it will also be used when my son starts senior school in September for his locker, to avoid the problem of missing keys, which the headmaster warned was a common problem, especially when it was P.E. day, I can’t understand why!
For £6.99 (which is what it currently costs in Asda), it’s well worth buying to avoid having to buy new locks or even worse a new suitcase.
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Intriguing. I remember getting back to London from Boston and having no locks left on any of our suitcases. I was a bit annoyed and found US Customs had "helpfully" inserted all of the broken locks into the outside pocket of our biggest luggage - no note - no apology. Legal vandalism I suppose. Nice write up 8^)
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