I no longer lock my checked baggage, but I make sure not to check anything of obvious value. All valuables go in my carry-ons. Never had a problem other than jumbled contents in bags that TSA inspects (and leaves a notification in).

I consider that anything checked may be stolen, so it's simply not worth checking anything you can't live without.

Former Belize expat traveling the USA & Mexico
http://travelingtwosome.weebly.com