The lock knobs are mainly there to keep your current tilt/shift settings from moving unintentionally during shooting. Because of the lens’s weight and the way the movements work, tilt or shift can drift under its own weight if left unlocked, especially depending on camera orientation.

So: they’re not just for transport. If you want the setting to stay exactly where you placed it, tightening the relevant lock is a good idea before taking the shot. If the movement is lightly loaded and staying put, you may not need to fully lock it every single time, but the purpose of the locks is to prevent accidental changes while composing and shooting.