TSA Approved Luggage "Locks"

by **Omikron** » 5 Jan 2006 3:57

Okay, so I have a full write-up of these absurd locks coming soon, but here is a teaser. It doesn't have any commentary because people are sleeping, but I think it speaks for itself.

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~omikron/ ... Brinks.mpg

For those who don't know, these locks are "speshal" because if the "security" people want to check your bag, they don't have to cut the lock. They just use their super-special-super-seekret keys to open your lock.

I wanted to see how special theys "keys" were.

Edit: Video is now uploaded. Dial-up warning: 35MB

by **Chrispy** » 5 Jan 2006 4:04

8 minutes, the video is not up yet. What's going on Omi? :evil:

J/k

by **Omikron** » 5 Jan 2006 4:07

Chrispy wrote:8 minutes, the video is not up yet. What's going on Omi?

J/k

Fscking Sony MS Duo isn't reading properly... :evil:

by **Omikron** » 5 Jan 2006 4:16

Yay! I got the memory stick to work! For whatever reason my SanDisk reader won't read THIS particular card, but will read everything else. My PSP reads the card just fine however...probably a formatting issue that I'll deal with later.

File is almost done!

by **Omikron** » 5 Jan 2006 4:20

Alright you leeches, have at it!

I'll have a full write-up with different types of TSA approved locks sometime within the week, along with detailed pictures of the internals. If anyone is wondering why there is tape on the lock, it's because I had to use a flathead screwdriver to crack the case open to see how it worked. ;-)

by **Chrispy** » 5 Jan 2006 4:20

Downloading now!

by **Omikron** » 5 Jan 2006 5:30

Has anyone else played with any of these TSA approved locks yet? It seems there are multiple TSA keys available, defined by the number on the side of the lock. The Brinks one shown in the video has TSA-004 stamped on the side, while others I've seen have TSA-001 and others. I'm going to buy one of each that I can find and see exactly how the methods differ, if at all.

by **Dent** » 5 Jan 2006 5:54

Just wonderful....

though it doesn't suprise me with the specs coming from a government group. Sad part is 99% of people won't stick a paperclip or whatever into the lock to see if it will open and will assume its safer than most locks.

Not to mention, are these patented? I mean is there anything to stop someone from producing a set of these keys? I can't see a federal law coming into this if they arent patented... anyone know?

Anyway, these locks at this price range and size are all for looks anyway, as anyone can cut it or get into your bags other ways(not to mention running through nearly all combo's very quickly too).

I'd rather throw a cheaper lock on mine and just let them cut it.... at least I dont have to worry about some kid with a paperclip getting into my stuff, they'll need a knife or some sort of cutters to get in or at least time to roll through the 1k combo's.

by **stlbolt** » 6 Jan 2006 16:55

Nice, But the sucky part is with luggage (sp?) you can't use them anymore.. Well atleast most airports because the randomly check bags and if its locked out then they just cut it right off... :-\

by **n2oah** » 6 Jan 2006 17:06

Stupid TSA Inspectors will have a tough time getting through my steel-reinforced bag with a Medeco padlock on it :wink:

by **Grudge** » 6 Jan 2006 19:15

Marc Tobias has published a expose on TSA locks. It echos a lot of what you have already discovered.

http://security.org/dial-90/sl-new.htm

by **hzatorsk** » 7 Jan 2006 20:23

I picked my tsa-003 with a paperclip. Remember... these locks are not about security. They are about allowing a TSA agent inspect your bag if they deem it necessary without cutting off your lock. Before TSA locks... the requirement was to leave your bag unlocked. You have NO right to security or privacy when flying commercial carrier.

Now if you want some interesting reading about complicated procedures, locks and airports... consider the crap they put you through for checking bags with firearms.

Generally... First. you gotta arrive at the airport with the gun unloaded and in a 'lockable' case (that is inside your outer suitcase/bag).

After declaring the firearm, signing a little form that you 'declare the firearm unloaded', perhaps 'showing' it unloaded to the ticketing agent... THEN you lock the inner case (any lock) and they DO NOT get the key or combo. That's right... You'll be racking the slide at the ticket counter to show it empty. WTF? That always makes the blue hairs nervous.

Anyway... then your outer bag MAY be locked with only with a TSA lock. then... it is put into the general baggage circulation to the aircraft.

Depending on the airport... it may also go through a seperate TSA xray screen.

I try to fly myself, or charter private whenever possible... that way I carry concealed and not deal with the BS.

The many many details are available on www.packing.org and take the time to get it right. Especially, call the airline in advance for carrier specific details.

z

by mh » 28 May 2006 5:52

On my last visit to the U.S. I bought some TSA approved luggage locks, to find out how the 'secret access' mechanism works for those types which have one pin tumbler keyway only. (The combination locks have been discussed before...)

Because they usually come with a few different key codes per "TSA number" (TSA 007 in this case), the only way how one "TSA 007" key would fit the lock would be masterkeying, or some other interesting "special method" to open them.

I assumed that these small locks would not be master keyed, and hoped to find some very interesting "special method";
well I was wrong - here we have a picture of a dismantled 4 pin TSA 007 lock:

They are just plain simply master keyed.
In the middle of the picture you can see 3 of the 4 master keying pins (or rather discs), 2 are lying flat, and the 3rd is sticking to the screwdriver.
Some pieces got lost in the process, but - these locks were only $0.49 each anyway

So I'm a little bit disappointed not to find anything "special" - still, it's nice to have such a miniature of a master keyed pin tumbler lock

Cheers,
mh

by **jordyh** » 28 May 2006 7:47

So if you take a regular key and modify it by filing down, you would get a key that opens any lock of that model?
That's ruling out theft of keys at the airport...

Gotta love security...

Yours,

Jordy

by mh » 28 May 2006 9:11

jordyh wrote:So if you take a regular key and modify it by filing down, you would get a key that opens any lock of that model?

Not really, as with other master keyed systems, you'd have to add material to the key to make it a master key.

Anyway, as other's have stated before, these locks are not meant for security purposes, but as a protection against accidential opening.
Still it's nice to have such a tiny master keyed padlock in my collection

TSA Approved Luggage "Locks"

TSA Approved Luggage "Locks"

The TSA pin tumbler locks are indeed MASTER KEYED!

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