I have never been to the U.S. and to be honest I am not going to as I think everyone deserves the right to use wich ever security locks they want on their suit cases. Me personally, I use the locks with the codes as well. And whoever send this story, I agree with you and I would have done the same!!

It is certainly possible that the European airlines simply practice a higher level of customer service. With the notable exception of Ryan Air, I have found that to be true on intra-European flights. The service is just better than on US domestic flights. I'm just saying that I don't think they are required to do it.

Of course, there's usually a labyrinth of paper-work and dead ends to go through for normal damage, I do not have details into how these situations worked themselves out.

These things are actually covered by international convention. US carriers are also responsible for the bags while in their possession. However, there are always limits and gray areas. For instance, was the bag in the airline's possession when the damage was done? The lock was apparently broken by the TSA in accordance with their policy. That policy is publically available, and I think most everyone knows you either need a TSA approved lock, or to leave you bag unlocked.

Airlines also generally have policies for how much damage they will cover – these maximums are also set my international convention. The gray area is that they don't have to cover damage that is considered "normal wear and tear". In my experience, normal wear and tear includes having two wheels busted off and an entire corner of a hard suitcase caved in 8 inches. They told me "luggage is meant to protect the contents", which incidentally, they wouldn't cover if it didn't.

And, addressing your "blow up an airplane with 4oz of toothpaste" comment, it's not the explosion of small magnitude to be worried about. The worrying thing about 4oz of material being ignited is the fire it can cause. And don't pull the "there are fire extinguishers on board" thing. It doesn't matter. Would you rather have an average flight to your destination, or a panic-stricken, slightly more crispy flight to your destination?

And, do you really expect security to hunt one specific person down to ask them a question about their luggage? Then Do you think they should hold the plane for you, while security looks at your luggage? What about delaying the plane, and the many other passengers which will miss connections, etc… oh, but that's all right…because the world revolves around you, and your uninformed self.

And really, we are supposed to believe that you threatened to sue the airline, and all was made good. I wonder how many times a day the airline hears that line from some self-centered blow-hard like you. The ticket agent/gate agent people really probably couldn't care less….they would say….go ahead, sue us…..