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 lug

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).