4 ms·

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 tamper

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?

antsar 11y ago
The seal is to detect any tampering. Why should TSA tampering be exempt from this?
- jsprogrammer 11y ago
  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).
  - antsar 11y ago
    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).
    - jsprogrammer 11y ago
      I don't disagree with that. I was only responding to the claim: >otherwise a seal provides a lot more value
dragontamer 11y ago
Custom print the seal. http://www.andfel.com/security-seals.html http://www.andfel.com/security-seals.html
- sllabres 11y ago
  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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07ZpEv9Sog is interesting to watch
wanderfowl 11y ago
I just use boring zip ties that I mark with a sharpie to make them unique (and show if they've been replaced). I'll also toss a handful of unmarked ties onto the "top" of the luggage. I've occasionally sent a piece of luggage through, and found it re-zip-tied with a new tie, with a TSA love note inside.

antsar 11y ago

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

jsprogrammer 11y ago
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).
- antsar 11y ago
  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).
  - jsprogrammer 11y ago
    I don't disagree with that. I was only responding to the claim: >otherwise a seal provides a lot more value

dragontamer 11y ago

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

sllabres 11y ago
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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07ZpEv9Sog is interesting to watch

wanderfowl 11y ago

I just use boring zip ties that I mark with a sharpie to make them unique (and show if they've been replaced). I'll also toss a handful of unmarked ties onto the "top" of the luggage. I've occasionally sent a piece of luggage through, and found it re-zip-tied with a new tie, with a TSA love note inside.