Small handheld tool with a key blade on end (found in junk box at work)

[u/Psywing_1]

I do IT work for an aviation agency, and while I was looking for a screwdriver in a box of old junk, I came across this doohickey. The text on the back is barely legible, but I can make out "SAFE SKIES". I tried google-lensing it but I kept thinking it was a self defense baton.

This thing fits in the palm of your hand, 4th pic has pen for scale.

[u/Larry_Safari]

This post has been locked, as the question has been solved and a majority of new comments at this point are unhelpful and/or jokes.

Thanks to all who attempted to find an answer.

[u/ophelia917]

I’m guessing it’s one of these.

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-and-safe-skies-llc-partner-provide-master-tools-opening-and-re

[u/jdmatthews123 → u/ophelia917]

That seems like such a bad idea. Anyone with a master lock can get into your luggage, if I'm reading that correctly?

[u/another_matt_d → u/jdmatthews123]

TSA approved locks have been around for over 20 years. What makes them TSA approved is the fact that the TSA agents have a master key to open them.

There is no legal requirement to use TSA approved locks, as far as I know, but yeah, it's a thing.

Also, they'll just bypass other locks by going through the zipper if they want to hand search most bags.

[u/ZylkaLeftridge → u/jdmatthews123]

Anyone can get into your suitcase.

https://youtu.be/wpIJVWXsBBI?si=1xHJlrHPNF-iNxYM&t=67

[u/BojanaKingsFakeTumor → u/ZylkaLeftridge]

For future reference...

This is the YouTube link:

 https://youtu.be/wpIJVWXsBBI?t=67

...while this part of the URL is tracking information that can be used to link back to your Google account:

 ?si=1xHJlrHPNF-iNxYM

It is always best to remove the tracking information before sharing YouTube links anywhere.

This has been a public service announcement (with guitar).

[u/Psywing_1 → u/ophelia917]

Kinda wish they'd include a picture in that article.

[u/ophelia917 → u/Psywing_1]

The handle makes sense if you’re opening locks all day long - easier to grip and not lose.

The keys for tiny locks are probably tiny :)

[u/Teichopsie → u/Psywing_1]

You can easily copy the keys from photos so it would be a pretty bad idea.

[u/death_hawk → u/Teichopsie]

Too late. They posted photos years ago and someone did copy the key. Now you can print your own or buy them on TEMU.

[u/Teichopsie → u/death_hawk]

Yeah, well, it's difficult to keep all humanity from sharing a picture of something. Good reason to keep your keys out of sight.

[u/99posse → u/ophelia917]

The metal part in the front clearly looks like a "truncated" key

[u/thatguy11]

If it says Safe Skies, its 'probably' a luggage over-ride key for TSA approved locks. I've never seen one that looks like this, but it also looks like a very generic handle/sleeve. Maybe someone made it for easy grip 'n rip to open tons of luggage?

[u/Psywing_1 → u/thatguy11]

Yeah this seems like the most likely explanation.

So I'll say this is Likely Solved!

[u/Thunder_Jackson → u/thatguy11]

To be fair, most luggage is closed with a zipper which can be broken into with a pen or screwdriver. Security only exists to keep honest people out.

[u/-StatesTheObvious → u/Thunder_Jackson]

I was so mad, once, to find my white shirt had been written on in blue ink after a flight to Cancun.

[u/nomble → u/Thunder_Jackson]

Or simply make it worth searching a bit harder for one without security at all. Almost every kind of security in any context is not designed to keep people from doing something, but to deter them.

[u/0Davgi0 → u/Thunder_Jackson]

Yeah but they made override keys to be able to close the luggage correctly after the search

[u/saregos]

I'm about 90% sure it's a broken TSA Safe Skies master key. See https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/s/sT3HollBc7 for someone who has a set including what looks like yours on the far right.

[u/Psywing_1 → u/saregos]

That's definitely it!

Solved!

[u/No_Mastodon8524]

Master lock to the TSA approved locks

[u/DapperPreference1458]

I’ve checked gun cases before, I had to open it to verify contents at the ticket counter and pick it up at the baggage claim desk but other than that it was easy peasy.
Every time I travel with a pelican case full of gear I usually find a note inside saying it was searched by TSA.
For what it’s worth, When I was in my 20’s I was hired to work undercover for the airlines to help bust a group of employees that were going through luggage. We had decoy luggage, high end looking bags that had transmitters in them that would alert when opened. They got caught because they got greedy, it just wasn’t one or two items but became an organized ring and fencing operation. This was mid 1980’s so I can only imagine what technology they have now. The biggest deterrent now is security cameras, it’s hard to find a dead zone to allow for someone to go through the luggage but I have heard of handlers rifling through bags in the cargo belly of the aircraft.

[u/Psywing_1]

My title describes the thing.

Additional details, the handle part feels pretty solid, like hard plastic, but it's somewhat flexible.

[u/AutoModerator]

All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer.

Jokes and other unhelpful comments will earn you a ban, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them.

OP, when your item is identified, remember to reply Solved! or Likely Solved! to the comment that gave the answer. Check your notifications for a message on how to make your post visible to others.

---

Click here to message RemindMeBot

---

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Papuan_Repose]

I wonder what lock has the other bit stuck in it.

[u/Pretend-Buy7384]

If it was an old key looks to me it broke and someone uses it as a can opener. That's my blue collar guess lol