Pacific Resource And Monitoring System

LAX TRAVELERS UPDATES

Visit this link: www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/locks.shtm

With the above, official TSA website link, we hope to provide a few air travel tips and information for passengers flying through LAX. More specifically, this web address contains an article on TSA recognized baggage locks.

It has become a common misconception that passengers are not allowed to place any type of locks on either their check-in baggage or on their carry-on baggage.

This myth has received added reinforcement by the fact that many passengers have been asked by TSA Agents to remove any type of locks from their baggage prior to check-in or even prior to screening. A recent theory in the law enforcement community is that the lack of any type of security system on passenger luggage could lead to an increased likelihood of the theft of belongings inside from passengers' baggage. Although passengers are not required to use TSA approved locks, these recognized locks have a feature that allows TSA agents to have access to the contents of any luggage whenever necessary due to the technology utilized on these locks .

If a passenger chooses to do so, they can keep a non-TSA approved lock on their baggage but risk having the lock cut if TSA needs to physically inspect a piece of luggage. Another option, is for passengers to ask the TSA agents to place the lock on their baggage after it has been screened through the x-ray machines.

Eloy Ochoa
Los Angeles Police Department
Pacfic-LAX Field Services Division
Airport Crimes Investigation Unit
(310) 348-3931
34486@lapd.lacity.org