At Home with Tech

Last winter, I went shopping for a new carry-on bag for our flight to our Delray Beach, Florida vacation. I bought it at a local store in town, and it felt wonderful being able to kick the tires on a few choices. 

I landed on a piece of luggage, which included the typical Travel Sentry TSA-approved luggage lock. That’s the 3-digit combination lock, along with a keyhole for TSA security to use. (They have a master key to easily open your lock without busting it and damaging your bag.)

As I specifically bought it as a carry on, the lock didn’t really matter to me so much. But my salesman kindly offered to reset the 0-0-0 default combination.

I quickly thought of a number. He set the code. I bought the carry on. And I rushed out of the store to tackle my remaining pre-trip tasks.

And I didn’t think about the code again.

Locked Out of My Own Bag

Fast forward a few months, and I pulled out my bag for my NAB trip to Las Vegas. I stared at the combination lock and saw that the two zipper pulls were properly snapped in place into the lock. (How organized of me!) 

And what was my 3-digit code?

I tried one combination. Then another. Nope.

I looked around to see if I had written it down somewhere. Surely, I would have done that.It was like some other Barrett from the multiverse had bought this bag. The code was not to be found on Earth 616.

I was locked out of my own luggage! So now what?

Well, it seemed I would have to figure out how to pick my lock. That or try the 1,000 combination options.

So, I called upon my inner Sherlock Holmes and got to work.

How to Find Your Code for Your TSA Luggage Lock

I began with a bit of Googling and found some common thoughts on a suggested hack. So, I gave it a try… and it worked! Here’s how I did it.
(Disclaimer: Individual results may vary, and of course, please only apply this trick to your own luggage.)

Step #1
Search for the Notch in the Gaps Between the Numbers

Look closely at the gaps between the three numbers on top of the combination lock. You’ll see they sit mounted on a smooth metal cylinder, and the numbers rotate on their individual rings around the cylinder.

Begin with the numbered wheel on the far left and click through each of the ten numbers (0-9).Look into the tiny gap to the left of the number and see whether the cylinder underneath still looks smooth. One of the ten choices should reveal a little notch as opposed to a smooth surface.

You can also discover the notch by running a little piece of paper or index card into the gap and feel if the cylinder has a little bump. That’s the notch.

When you find it, remember the number on top.

Now, repeat the process for the other two rings with their numbers.

When you’re done, you’ll have a 3-digit code. Try it!

Apparently, that works for many folks.
But not for my bag. There was an additional step I had to follow…

Step #2
Rotate the 3 Rings Forward Together

Start with your notched 3-digit code (that doesn’t work) and then rotate the numbers forward one click together.

Try the new combination. If that doesn’t work, rotate the three numbers forward again… one click together. Try that new combination.

I captured my code on the fourth try.

Elementary!

So finding the notches was the first part of the solution. Then rotating through that specific 3-ring orientation was the final step to revealing the correct code.

I hope this works for you!

Lessons Learned

After I successfully hacked my own luggage lock, I felt so clever… so triumphant. And sure, I could actually use my bag for our trip. So that was something of an accomplishment.

But in hindsight, it’s all rather embarrassing. I was simply disorganized, and I just got lucky (though I did figure it out). 

To be fair, there are a thousand codes and passwords to keep track of these days. Figuring out how to get into your own luggage shouldn’t have to be your next gauntlet.

Here’s another solution: 

• Don’t lock your luggage zipper into the combination lock before you store your bag for your next trip!

Sure, you can still leave the correct code showing on top. That will enable you to test it the next time without the zipper pulls locked in place.

And if the above hack doesn’t work, at least you’ll still be able to use your luggage.

Enough said. Happy travels.