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TSA Master Keys

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Re: TSA Master Keys

#101

Post by BuildTheRobots »

flavor8 wrote: post #11
tempodox wrote: post #6

Not only is this another impressive demonstration of incompetence, but by disseminating the idea that people's luggage could be “secure” and “backdoored” at the same time, they're actually destroying what security has existed before. They should pivot to be the “Transport Endangerment Agency”.

Most luggage isn't really secure in the first place. It takes less time to open up a suitcase with a good knife than it does to unzip many suitcases. The idea that a little padlock will protect your suitcase from thieves is laughable. Like physical mail, the system is based on trust, and trying to patch security onto it is difficult.

If you're stealing from a zip-closed bag, don't bother with a knife -use a ballpoint pen (and then you can do it back up again leaving no obvious evidence) :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5mvvZl6pLI

edit: s/suitcase/zip-closed bag/

Re: TSA Master Keys

#102

Post by ctdonath »

codyb wrote: post #93
ctdonath wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Solution: take a gun. Seriously. In stark contrast with the requirement that TSA be able to open your luggage (unlocked or backdoored), if you declare a firearm in your checked luggage the TSA cannot - by law - have the means to open your [hard-shell] luggage, YOU must retain the key or combination and must be present to open it when inspected. (Of course, traveling legally with a gun has its own litany of issues, bu…

Could you declare a gun and not carry one? And then claim you forgot it if anyone checks?

No. They will make you open the case and show the gun is safe/unloaded. They then affix a tag to the gun, which declares that there is, in fact, a gun in this case (with the tag inside the case, a rather surreal requirement).

Re: TSA Master Keys

#103

Post by antsar »

jsprogrammer wrote: post #89
antsar wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The seal is to detect any tampering. Why should TSA tampering be exempt from this?

I'm saying that if the TSA tampers with your luggage and breaks the seal, it will happen at the beginning of your trip. This allows anyone seeing your luggage after the TSA tampered with it to also tamper with it without you (or the TSA) ever being able to know if an unauthorized individual also tampered with it (since they can effectively piggyback off the TSA's authorization).

That's certainly true. But even if there was a way to detect post-TSA tampering, what useful recourse would one have?

It seems that in either case, checked luggage is at risk of being tampered with, searched, or outright stolen and there is very little we can do about it (aside from filing a claim with the airline and hoping for the best).

Re: TSA Master Keys

#104

Post by 15155 »

scurvy wrote: post #68

There's a comment in the original post about bags with firearms requiring a non-TSA lock. Has anyone travelled with a firearm as a maneuver to secure their luggage? Seems lengthy, but probably works. I'd imagine you need to check-in in a different area and not the front desk? Edit: I just watched the YouTube video posted below. Looks like we're just dealing with a flawed system.

I do not fly anywhere without a firearm (save for non-free cities such as SF and NYC).

This method absolutely works.

My luggage is a very large pelican case.

> I'd imagine you need to check-in in a different area and not the front desk?

Yes, and at some airports you get your very own line (which is almost never busy). I've saved multiple hours at certain major airports because of the separate screening procedures/lines.

Most of the time, though, you'll just go to a normal desk, say "I need a firearms declaration," and they'll check you in as-normal, until your bag needs to be screened. At that point, you'll go to another area, unlock the bag for the TSA (if it alarms) and receive a hand-screening.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#105

Post by 15155 »

codyb wrote: post #93
ctdonath wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Solution: take a gun. Seriously. In stark contrast with the requirement that TSA be able to open your luggage (unlocked or backdoored), if you declare a firearm in your checked luggage the TSA cannot - by law - have the means to open your [hard-shell] luggage, YOU must retain the key or combination and must be present to open it when inspected. (Of course, traveling legally with a gun has its own litany of issues, bu…

Could you declare a gun and not carry one? And then claim you forgot it if anyone checks?

No, but you could just carry a starter pistol or flare gun if for whatever reason you couldn't declare a real firearm.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#106

Post by SyneRyder »

rogeryu wrote: post #23

So luggage handlers can open my suitcase, put in some drugs, and at the other end I can get caught for having drugs in my luggage? They should setup a service where you checkin your luggage, they check it for drugs or illegal stuff, they seal it, and at arrival you get your suitcase with the guarantee that it had no drugs at checkin.

You've just described the conspiracy theory behind the Schapelle Corby drugs case in Australia, who claimed the drugs she'd been caught with in Indonesia must have been planted by a baggage handler:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Bag-handler-theory-ov...

At the time, the case & defence theory was so high profile that Australian airports had a service to seal your luggage in layers of shrink-wrap before your overseas flight, so you could know if your luggage had been tampered with by baggage handlers and prevent it being "Schapelle'd":

https://www.choice.com.au/travel/on-holidays/luggage/article...

As for the TSA locks, the Prestolock TSA Search Alert locks come with a green/red indicator to show if the lock has been opened by a TSA key. Though the TSA tend to leave a notice in your bag as well saying it was opened for inspection.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#107

Post by jsprogrammer »

antsar wrote: post #103
jsprogrammer wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm saying that if the TSA tampers with your luggage and breaks the seal, it will happen at the beginning of your trip. This allows anyone seeing your luggage after the TSA tampered with it to also tamper with it without you (or the TSA) ever being able to know if an unauthorized individual also tampered with it (since they can effectively piggyback off the TSA's authorization).

That's certainly true. But even if there was a way to detect post-TSA tampering, what useful recourse would one have? It seems that in either case, checked luggage is at risk of being tampered with, searched, or outright stolen and there is very little we can do about it (aside from filing a claim with the airline and hoping for the best).

I don't disagree with that. I was only responding to the claim:

>otherwise a seal provides a lot more value

Re: TSA Master Keys

#108

Post by MCRed »

The TSA has resulted in millions in stolen items, and not caught a single "terrorist". Its procedures are a joke, it is irradiating everyone, or if they opt out, molesting them, which is a crime in all 50 states... not to mention every single TSA search is a violation of USC 18-242.

The existence of this organization proves that both Bush and Obama and the Democrats and Republican parties are corrupt and irrational... and more interested in their own power than in benefiting the country.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#109

Post by MCRed »

harkyns_castle wrote: post #77
Jtsummers wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'd think, but year after year we get stories like this. Sometimes it catches up with people [1], many times it seems they get away with it [2]. The main difference seems to be how much money they're worth, if they're elected or just "regular" employees, and how good their connections are. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun [2] http://www.forbes.com/sites/judystone/2015/02/17/the-sham-of... - goes int…

It sucks to watch corruption and violence win the day. We seem to be seeing it. Where an economy can be based on maintaining a military force in other countries, to maintain the petrodollar and central banks. And a lot of good people losing their lives, brought up in the belief, they're helping freedom. What a mindfuck that is.

After a few years people get acclimated and if you dare to criticize the corrutpion you're seen to be evil.

For instance, try telling the average american that the TSA needs to be shut down.

They'll think that they're keeping us safe, the same way people think that police keep us safe, and will think that without obamacare we wouldn't have health insurance, in a few years.

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