A tie down locking mechanism includes a first plate including a first cavity and a first aperture, a second plate including a second cavity and a second aperture, and a spring mechanism that biases the first and second plates into a first position and that moves the first and second plates into a second position when the bias is overcome with an application of force. Each cavity includes an interior portion connected to an opening on a perimeter of the respective plate. When the first and second plates are in the first position, the openings of the first and second cavities are aligned and the apertures are not aligned. When the first and second plates are in the second position, the openings of the first and second cavities are not aligned and the apertures are aligned.