Traveling to the US? Lock your bags the right way

This week's tip is not about mobile technology, but nonetheless it affects many mobile warriors. Here's my tip:

If you're traveling to the United States, always lock your check-in luggage with a TSA-compliant lock!

If you don't use a TSA-compliant lock, U.S. airport security personnel may break open your locks in order to inspect your checked-in luggage without your consent. Which happened to two of my fellow travelling companions.

So always use a TSA-compliant lock, or better yet, buy a luggage bag with a built-in TSA-compliant lock. To identify a TSA-compliant lock, look out for these logos.

%IMAGE=TSALock.jpg%And the TSA system really works. During my last US trip, my TSA-compliant bag was locked when I collected it from baggage claim, yet when I opened it I found a printed note inside saying that my bag had been inspected. It worked like magic.

Next week, I'll switch back to high-tech as I write about my experiences with the Nokia N82 and the Sony Ericsson PC300 HSDPA (3.5G) Data Card. Stay tuned!