[BC] TSA Lock???

[Cowboy]

On Monday 07 August 2006 06:50 am, Golchert, Michael A. wrote:
>     Has anyone seen a "TSA Approved" lock large enough that will work on
> a Pelican case?  For the second time in less than a month, a pelican
> case has "popped open" on the tarmac and certain items are missing.
> Since the airlines refuse to cover checked tools or electronic test
> equipment (even in a pelican case), I've got to find another way to keep
> stuff secure while in transit.
>     I've considered shipping stuff in advance via DHL or FedEx...but
> sometimes time just won't allow that.

 But don't you "feel" so much safer ?

 It's not worth losing my 41 to feel safe. Not to me.
 Fed-X priority next day, pick up wherever I am.
 Expensive, but then you avoid that rule about the TSA isn't 
 responsible for any damage they deliberately cause.

 In all seriousness, it depends on the check-in airport.
 Tie-wraps work well, and often if you simply hand the TSA agent
 replacement tie wraps, they'll "re-lock" your box.
 I've taped tie-wraps onto the case, with a clear and fairly large note
 requesting re-tie-wrapping after inspection.
 Those boxes have always arrived with the replacements still taped
 right where I left 'em.
 There's the risk that THIS particular TSA agent will be an arrogant SOB,
 won't care, and will destroy anything you do, just to show you who's "boss."
 Not always. Depends on how big that guppy thinks he/she is
 in his/her own puddle.

 You can try a cheap combo lock, and paste the combo right on the case,
 right next to the lock, clearly labled as the combo for that lock, but many
 of the TSA agents aren't that bright, and a few don't care.
 The majority are OK though, and cooperative.

 Smaller airports are generally more cooperative.
 I've had few problems at DFW, but never at Love Field.

 Wrap the seams and latches with packing tape.
 Generally, it'll arrive with custom TSA packing tape instead of yours, but
 the latches stay put.

 I'll use Fed-X whenever possible.
 A few hundred dollars in shipping is nothing to sneeze at, but MUCH less
 expensive that two or three engineers standing around for days while
 replacement equipment is found, plus the cost of whatever isn't there.

 BUT I"M NOT BITTER !!

-- 
Cowboy