I prefer zip ties, especially if you use non standard ones they are excellent indicators that the luggage was tampered with. Hard to tell with TSA locks.
If you only want to know somebody has been in your luggage and not let them know. Run a small piece of thread into the zippers about an inch or so from being totally closed. Leave just barely any hanging out. say 1/8 to a quarter inch. You can look behind the zipper to see if you can see the thread. If its missing you know somebody opened it. Thread is a very useful low tech tool. If it aint like you left it somebody has been in it.
Unfortunately a zip tie can be defeated by jamming a screwdriver in the catch. When done carefully it doesn't even leave any significant marks! Though it is still more secure than a TSA lock.
@FRIENDLY JAPANESE BUSINESSMAN All TSA lock are really, really bad and the don't provide privacy from TSA personal going through your belongings without permission. So stay away from TSA locks.
@@RenneVangr That's the whole point in them OF COURSE they don't protect against the TSA. The TSA has to be able to open your luggage. If you'd use a non-TSA lock they would simply break it open. If that doesn't work they'd cut your luggage open. Trying to protect against the TSA is a really bad idea. Plus it looks as if you want to hide something from them and they might open your luggage just for that reason. I'm not judging anyone for wanting privacy. I think that the privacy should be maximized, especially against the state, but that's just the current situation in the USA. When travelling to countries where the security staff isn't allowed to open your luggage use a secure lock by all means, but in the USA your luggage might get damaged by the TSA-staff.
I've had the TSA screwdriver Jimmy open a TSA locked luggage before. If they want in, they will cut off whatever lock you have if it isn't TSA lock. The only exception is for locked firearm cases, which are manually scanned then double non TSA locked at check-in.
@@ThePandafriend That last bit is my whole point. Everywhere I've ever been, (Europe Asia, Africa and Central America) they ask you to open the lock. But apparently in the freedom country that is the USA they just destroy your personal equipment.
Tbh, 3 zip ties is way more secure against theft than just having one of those TSA locks, and if the TSA wants to open it up it's no hassle for them to cut them open... Nor is it a hsssle to replace freaking zip ties..... Have the zip ties separated as well and you'll have a pretty secure way of keeping your stuff safe.
putting this lock on a zipper luggage is actually very effective. the thief will have a mind-fuck trying to choose between using a pen to pry the zipper or open the toy lock on it.
And if he uses a pen to pry open the zipper, he still needs another bag to put your stuff in. Which means he has to spend more time doing that in the storage room of your hostel. He could just choose another bag that has less security (e.g. isn't attached to anything, so he can just take it with lock and all and open it up at his leisure at his place). Sorry for my gender-non-neutrality btw; thieves don't have to be men.
A twist tie from a loaf of bread is probably sufficient to keep your luggage shut. Plus you get toast out of the purchase. As this lock does no come with toast, I wouldn't recommend it either.
I had forgotten about "card locks!" All the rage back in the late 80's in Junior High for school lockers, well, until the kids figured out all it takes is a paper clip to pop them open. Then kids would have contests going down the hall seeing who could open the most lockers.
@@GRBtutorials Actually I have a codelock on my suitcases, this was just a joke. I do however have travelers insurance, and would love for the opportunity to renew my wardrobe.
Yeah the real lesson is all valuables should be in your carryon. Or maybe if you check a gun you can lock other valuables in with it since that gets declared and then locked securely before they take it back
They gave one to me at work. Unfortunatly everyone else had one and I didn't want to go "hey guys don't you know these locks are easy to open ?" nor did I want to immediatly upgrade to a better lock like I was surrounded by thieves. But I ended up locking up the key inside, I got it broken, and bought a lock without an available master key.
ProTip for anyone that wants to use real paddlocks on your luggage: Travel with a firearm (if you're allowed to posses that firearm in the state you leave and go to). If you travel with a firearm (a stripped receiver or a flare gun also counts), then you are **not allowed** to use TSA locks and (among other requirements), must use a "hard sided container" and real locks "to which only the passenger retains the key or combination". If TSA wants to inspect your luggage (they will if you're flying with a firearm), they must ask you to unlock it, and in every case I've ever seen, that inspection is done in your presence. Ironically, they sometimes still put the "we inspected your bag" card in your suitcase even though you're watching them inspect it.
I have heard of a number of "horror stories" of folks very nice high security locks being cut off and gun case is taped back closed with TS inspection card inside -- go figure!
@@Pyrolock Ive heard those stories as well, but they're incredibly rare and I've never experienced it myself. Per at least TSA regulation (and potentially law, but I'm uncertain), the case MUST be locked, a zip tie doesn't work. In the cases I've heard of (fewer than 3) TSA re-locked the case with whatever locks they had and threw away the keys. It is important to know how the airport operates. Seattle for example has a dedicated station for firearms that YOU bring your luggage to, they inspect it in front of you, and then it goes on a plane. Missoula MT on the other hand just trusts you and sends it through the xray machine.
@@EthanLaur My experiences have been OK -- small local airports in CA and AL just want to see open case at check in and see you insert your signed air carrier card and watch you lock case -- only flown with United -- I was able to find some stronger TSA open-able combo locks with larger hasp that don't get broken off by normal baggage handling I'm sure MT is much more firearms friendly than CA, BUT its the FED TSA regulations (law) that override all. People MUST be able to do competitive shooting, hunting, and even Olympics w/ air transportation of the necessary equipment.
I just use zip ties. What's actually kinda funny about that is since knives and scissors are forbidden it's actually probably safer from non-employee tampering than a TSA lock :D Of course, since I use zip ties I have to leave an outer compartment unlocked to store my pocket knife so a random non-employee could just unzip that and then cut the ties :/
I have a Pacsafe "metrosafe" urban sling pack. After watching a number of your videos(thank you for them) I decided to find the design flaw in my pack. Needless to say, I am more aware of the limitations of the pack and will not use the pack to keep things safe, as I have done in the past when I am traveling. Keep up the videos!
I use a couple of similar card key locks on my luggage, again, as you say, not for security, but simply to keep the zippers from popping open. The benefit from my perspective is the card key: I have enough keys on my keyring that I don't really want a couple of extra luggage lock keys on there, but I basically drilled all the hole patterns on the other edges of one of the cards and one slim card that slips into my wallet can open all my luggage locks..
Quite a suspicious question. Also ATM machines have different types of locks. Some have cheap wafer locks, others have more secure locks. Regardless they have a small safe inside so opening the front panels wouldn't do anything but get you in trouble.
LPL is the Bob Ross of lock picking. The combination of his voice, monotonic delivery and my zero interest in lock picking puts me to sleep in no time. Thanks!
I got two of these. A problem is that the plastic cards may deform a little bit over use, making the lock less dependable. Besides it being a TSA lock and all that. But when you're traveling, it's not that you need the best security; it's often enough to have a bit better security than the bag next to yours.
The nice thing about most TSA locks is that you can use the same key (or rake if you prefer that) to open them all. No fumbling with bunch of keys to see which opens lock on your front pocket and which to use on the main compartment. And it works across the brands, you do not see that often.
I think a nice cable tie on the luggage is a good way to tamper seal your luggage and perform the same “make sure it doesn’t fall open accidentally” function. At least you know if someone has opened your stuff.
i use a little lock like this on my backpack. It's invaluable during rush hour commutes on the train and stops anyone opportunist from reaching into my bag without me knowing .
I had a pair of these to air transport a rifle legally (in an approved rifle case); BUT one of the locks was simply broken off by normal baggage handling -- ALL of those "TSA" padlocks are just to flimsy with ridiculous tiny hasps -- I did finally find ones with a larger diameter hasp that doesn't break so easily and still keeps airline transportation legal while allowing TSA inspection via "their" key (then I don't have to worry about TSA cutting off 2 "good" padlocks because only I have the keys when TSA wants to check inside without my presence)
I can't even begin to count the number of times I've seen that red logo on locks in my gym's locker room. If only they knew how easily those locks can be opened...
Well then go get a rake or tsa key and unlock as many as you can while nobody is looking or if you want to be more proactive, tell them how bad they are and show it in action while they're at the locker.
@@gtrfuyen2924 Hey, if some meat head doesn't want you telling them they've bought a defective product then they can keep their $1 lock, isn't my problem.
Just want to say I really enjoy your video's not only for helping remember things I once learned but also so much more. And I also want to say keep up the great work can't wait to see what's next.
Hey, LPL! I hope you're doing well and I'd love to know what lockpicking sets you suggest for beginners? My bf loves your work and he wants to pick it up as well so I plan on surprising him with a little set. Hope this finds you well and I hope you have the time to help me out, if not, I wish you a good day and please keep making videos :)
So maybe the one argument for this is that it is fairly easy to carry the "key" as another credit card or even if placed in a purse or backpack, harder to lose than a small key. Sure, it doesn't provide any real theft security, but I suspect that many use such locks for one of two other reasons (a) simply to prevent the suitcase from opening accidentially, or (b) because some item is required to be "locked" but the lock doesn't really need to provide any real security.
Seems like everybody but the TSA has the key to the lock. I used to use TSA locks on my work toolkit but got tired of replacing locks when the TSA didn't put them back on. Once I found my lock in pieces inside a rubber glove in my toolkit.
How easy is it to get these kinds of lock picks and learn? My sister locks herself out of her house often enough that I've considered getting a set and learning how to do it.
Always throw a firearm in your luggage (even a starter pistol or bare AR lower) and declare it, then you can (actually are REQUIRED) use a non-TSA lock.
What small luggage padlocks *would* the LPL recommend? Obviously none of them will be impenetrable, but something that makes quick and discreet access difficult?
i've gotten to a point where i pretty much only buy abus padlocks, and then only some. i'd get some better ones (Best is a solid brand, but you have to buy lock + core + keys +getting core keyed usually = $$$$) but the ease of getting everything at once trumps some of the upper brands models due to them being mostly self-assembly vs complete unit. things like this? i wouldn't even be pulling it off the racks to look at it, much less actually using it. as for practice locks? i've gotten a ridiculous number of discarded bodies when they get cut off the lockers at work.
If you’re going to have a lock that thousands of agents (TSA) can open then I’d suggest that cable ties are a better option. A bonus fact is the nuclear launch codes in the US, for decades, were set to 00000000, about as secure as a TSA lock.
14 dollars! That's 10 dollars for the keycard gimmick. I would rather secure my bag with a real (small) padlock, and change it only to the cheapest TSA lock at the airport just before check-in... And of course, change it back when I arrive at the destination.
I have a odd video scenario for you. Odd scenario/ timed challenge maybe? Say there is a lock. Could be a good thick lock, or a flimsy one, and you have everyday objects instead of a pick set and you needed to pick the lock. How fast could you make your pick tools and get the lock open?
I think the mindset here is "I would rather open the unprotected luggage than the one with the lock". It's not meant to protect, it's meant to make your luggage just tad bit more difficult than the rest, so they won't bother.
@lockpickinglawyer try to make your own secure lock, using very sturdy material, strong locking mechanism and other elements using what you have learned from other locks and there many flaws
Seems like a Tie-Rip sports more security than this. At least it'll be visual they've broken into your bag. Or it'll cost them a Tie-Rip to replace. Which is astronomically low effort. But still more effort than picking and closing this lock.
![[929] PacSafe Keycard Luggage Lock Picked FAST!](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
