I travel a lot, and this happens all the time. You cannot lock your backage. I have often found tags from security that my bag had been searched. Given the alternative, I have no problem with this. As far as the shoes/laptop, did she fly the same airline and use the same airport terminal? Different airlines/airports, different rules. Was she wearing similar shoes both times? I have found that some places don't make you take off sneakers - only hard shoes - while others make you take off any footwear. I've never had my laptop checked, just have to put it through the machine. Sometimes I have to remove my belt entirely, sometimes just open it, and sometimes it doesn't set off the alarms. Same belt. Different airlines, different states, different airports, different rules, etc.

>My daughter flew back from Raleigh in the US yesterday.
>
>On opening her checked in bag she found a note that the contents had been checked for security.
>The note also said if your bag is locked they will force it open and you have no claim for any damage so don't lock your bag. Presumably the baggage handlers are then free to pinch your best stuff.
>
>Also on the way out she had to remove her shoes but they didn't check her laptop. On the way back they checked her laptop but not her shoes.
>
>Nick Mason