For as long as I’ve written about travel gear and gadgets on Practical Hacks, I recently realized I’ve never mentioned Magellan’s. If you’re a traveler and you’re not getting the Magellan’s catalog, you ought to get on their mailing list. The catalog is chock full of first rate travel apparel, bags, and travel-oriented gear and gadgets of all types. They ship promptly (at fairly reasonable rates) and their overall service is stellar. I should note – and if you glance to the right, you’ll notice – that I feel strongly enough about Magellan’s that I recently became an affiliate.
An interesting discussion broke out recently on an old PH post about the Swiss Tech Utili-Key regarding the TSA, luggage tampering, and the like, and it reminded me of the TSA-approved “WordLock” available from Magellan’s.
You’ve no doubt seen these locks: they’re TSA approved because TSA agents have unique keys that will open them. If you’re concerned about your checked luggage being pilfered, or you want a little extra security for your luggage when it’s stowed on a tour bus or slung over your back, this is an effective and relatively inexpensive solution. (I’ll use this on my golf travel bag – so that only TSA can rummage around in there.)
Here’s a WordLock on the Bihn Tri-Star. The lock will work with most large zippers; its shackle is ~1/8″ in diameter:
Setting the combination is a snap; it takes about 30 seconds. Your combination displays in a window on the side of the lock body:
This lock will work on the metal zipper tabs on Tom Bihn, Red Oxx, and similar bags; I was even able to lock it on through the zipper tab on the central compartment zipper and the drawcord grommet on the Patagonia Lightweight Travel Duffel. I did so without puncturing the ripstop fabric around the grommet even though I locked the shackle by forcing the material into the lock body (click for a close-up):
The WordLock is available in 4 colors and costs $9.85 at Magellan’s. Click on any of the links in this post to see it at the Magellan’s website.
If you’ve used the WordLock, other TSA-type lock, or otherwise would like to add to the conversation, please comment!
The Fine Print: this post contains affiliate links which help defray the expenses involved with maintaining Practical Hacks
August 28th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Looks like a fine lock – but does it have a “tell tale” to let you know if TSA has accessed your bag with their special key?
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September 2nd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I believe it doesn’t have a tell tale, called Search Alert commercially. This makes it no-go for TSA purposes for me. While I am more of a literary than a number person, I still prefer number locks. But to each his own.
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Kevin Reply:
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Till, Michael: it definitely doesn’t have a tell tale. kc
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