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TSA Master Keys

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Re: TSA Master Keys

#141

Post by ctdonath »

exhilaration wrote: post #136
cheald wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many photographers travel with a flare gun or starter pistol in their equipment case specifically for this reason. The $10/hour grunt workers can't get access to your super-expensive equipment if you're transporting a gun and have the case properly secured.

It doesn't make your equipment any safer, guns are stolen from US airports all the time: Although the law requires guns to be carried in locked, hard-sided cases, baggage handlers have no problem getting into such luggage, he said. The other possibility, experts said, is that TSA screeners who X-ray or inspect bags by hand could be pocketing the guns. Source: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-08-14/news/0608140…

It reduces the odds of theft by making it harder to open the case (only the owner unlocks it, no backdoor key), formalizes its inspection (only opened when owner present), and raises the stakes of theft (stealing a camera is one thing, stealing a gun garners much harsher punishment and gets more dedicated authorities involved).

Yes, anything can be stolen (whole luggage even). Put in a real case, with a serious lock, which legally cannot be opened without you, and you've significantly improved the odds of seeing that camera (and "bodyguard" gun) again.

Just because improving the odds didn't reach 0.0 doesn't mean it's 1.0.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#142

Post by kuschku »

ufmace wrote: post #132
kuschku wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually, flying is better than almost all cars sold in the US (except for the VW Up!, which comes close). An Airbus A380 uses the equivalent energy of 3l gasoline per passenger per 100km. This is a mileage of 80mpg. Only rail is more efficient.

I remember reading somewhere that rail, and most other mass transit, isn't actually that efficient. The idea being that sure, a bus or train full of people is really efficient, but in order to get all of those people to want to ride it, you have to run a lot of empty or almost-empty vehicles around all the time. Sum up all the trips for the whole system, and it's about the same as an average-ish car.

It obviously depends – in Tokyo, or NYC, you’ll have almost-full trains 24/7. As you obviously use smaller trains at night, and only full trains during rush hour.

Even with busses, most transit authorities have lots of different sizes – from 10 people busses in rural areas at night, to bi-articulated busses for 300 people at rush hour in downtown areas.

If you always try to use the same vehicle, though, yes, you get the same mileage as an average car. You still save space on the roads, though.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#143

Post by kelnos »

CyberDildonics wrote: post #94
deelowe wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about corporate travelers taking prototypes and other sensitive items in pelican cases or similar luggage?

never check something valuable

This is seriously the most insightful comment in the entire thread. Stop trying to secure your checked luggage! Just don't check things at all, or at least don't check things that are valuable. I travel pretty often (sometimes 2+ week trips), and I haven't checked a bag (valuable or otherwise) in nearly 10 years.

If you need to transport something valuable that you can't carry on, ship it instead, overnight if necessary. No, that may not be cheap, but if you're that concerned with security, it's probably worth it.

(Not that FedEx/UPS/etc. don't come with their own problems, but I've found them to be pretty reliable over time, and you can insure the item in question.)

Re: TSA Master Keys

#144

Post by chillacy »

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.

Benefits also include having your baggage held by an employee and requiring your ID to reclaim it, which should also reduce baggage theft as well. I've heard of photographers packing their expensive gear with cheap starter guns (used for racing) in order to get this benefit.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#145

Post by LyndsySimon »

rdl wrote: post #135
ctdonath wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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).

Inconsistent. No airport I use regularly does chamber checks anymore, and I routinely fly with handguns and sometimes rifles. At LAS they don't even do a TSA screen. They put a tag in he bag at gate and just use X-ray on the bags later. They will call you at the terminal over PA if there is an issue.

I concur. I've flown several times per year for the past five years or so, and almost always check at least one firearm. I am asked to open the case about 80% of the time, and I've never been asked to demonstrate that the firearm was unloaded.

Also note that TSA allows you to carry ammunition loaded in a magazine, which may be in the same case as the firearm. I usually check a Glock 31 with three loaded magazines in the case.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#146

Post by darksim905 »

Hey everyone :)

If someone happens to have questions about these keys, we don't physically have them. But we plan on making our own versions & finding the right blanks. If you think you can help, or want to know more, you can always reach out to myself or @Irongeek_ADC.

If you happen to know Solidworks & how to trace objects, I'd like to really get to know you.

Cheers :)

Re: TSA Master Keys

#147

Post by ctdonath »

x0x0 wrote: post #133
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…

Make sure not to fly to New York. They will enforce state firearms laws when you return to the airport and attempt to check your gun. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/10/nyregion/lawful-handguns-d...

As I said, "traveling legally with a gun has its own litany of issues". Guns are legal in all states (NY included), with limitations. A Henry or Marlin Papoose .22LR will break down into a very small package, and are legal in pretty much any state without paperwork.

Re: TSA Master Keys

#148

Post by sllabres »

dragontamer wrote: post #86
jsprogrammer wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd argue the seal provides little value as the TSA will need to break it if they wish to search the luggage. Once the seal is broken, the luggage may be tampered with. Perhaps if the TSA resealed the luggage they searched?

Custom print the seal. http://www.andfel.com/security-seals.html

unfortunately several of these professional seals are only a bit more obscure, but not much harder to open than a zip tie.

Introduction to Tamper Evident Devices from datagram at defcon 19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07ZpEv9Sog is interesting to watch

Re: TSA Master Keys

#149

Post by mccartyuig »

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