[Taipei Personality]

They no longer allow your travel bags to have locks, so at any time employees can rifle through the bag if they want to.

That is simply not true.

From the TSA FAQ available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=0900051980082cb5

Locking Your Checked Baggage

In some cases screeners will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is unlocked then TSA will simply open and screen the baggage.

However, if you decide to lock your checked baggage and TSA cannot open your checked baggage through other means, then the locks may have to be broken. TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes.

TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by using a TSA recognized locking mechanism. These "special" locks can be opened by TSA using tools provided to us by the luggage industry members.

[A CA Guy]

I have friends traveling out of LAX and Orange County all the time and they are not allowed to lock the luggage.