Travel & Luggage · TSA-Approved Luggage Locks
What does the red 'search alert' indicator on some TSA locks do?
Reviewer consensus
It's a small flag that pops up when a TSA agent has opened the lock with the master key, letting you know the bag was inspected even if it was re-locked. Listings from SureLock and Forge highlight this feature, and verified-purchase reviewers on Amazon and Walmart say it's useful for spotting tampering. It does not add any actual security — it's purely an indicator.