TSA-Approved Luggage Lock Rated 'Most Depressing Product' by Consumer Security Magazine

Consumer Security Monthly has awarded the TSA-approved luggage lock its inaugural 'Most Depressing Product' designation, calling the ubiquitous travel accessory 'a physical manifestation of security theater that somehow manages to cost $12.' The review, published in the magazine's March issue, evaluates seven popular TSA-approved locks and finds that all of them can be opened in under five seconds using a ballpoint pen, a technique that has been publicly documented since 2006. 'A TSA-approved lock is a lock that can be opened by you with a key, by TSA agents with a master key, and by literally anyone else with a Bic pen or a strong opinion,' wrote reviewer Amanda Shackle. 'It is a lock in the way that a speed limit sign in a school zone is a barrier. It communicates intent. It does not impede progress.' The review notes that the TSA master keys, of which there are fewer than ten variants covering all approved locks worldwide, were photographed and published online in 2015, after which functional 3D-printed copies became available on multiple websites. 'Your luggage lock can be opened by: you, the TSA, anyone with a printed key, anyone with a pen, anyone with a zip tie and two seconds of determination, and most motivated toddlers,' the review continues. 'What it cannot do is prevent theft, which one might argue is the primary function of a lock.' The Travel Goods Association has pushed back on the review, noting that TSA-approved locks 'serve an important role in the travel ecosystem by allowing security screening without damaging luggage.' The association did not address the pen issue. Shackle concluded her review with a recommendation: 'If you want to secure your luggage, use a cable tie and accept that security is an illusion. If you want to feel like you've secured your luggage, buy a TSA lock. The emotional experience is roughly equivalent, and the cable tie is cheaper.'