I do this as well and I’ve never had a problem. (When I’ve carried a dive box, however, I use long shank Master locks and just asked the TSA agent to lock them after inspection.)
To cut off the zip-ties I just carry a pair of nail clippers in my pocket or carry-on. No problem, although I miss the days when I could walk on board the aircraft with a pocketknife clipped in my waistband and a multitool and Swiss Army Knife in my pocket or computer bag. Now I live in mortal fear of forgetting to remove these and getting caught at the security line.
Stranger