raschemmel:
The BLEED resistor which in our world we call a "pullDOWN " resistor ...
Sure, a pull-down resistor. Didn't my stick diagram up there resemble this?
OK, I'll give this a go.
Just an FYI for jbarchuk -- for now, I've managed another workaround, which is to simply extend the locking pin further than before. When the servo jitters on power-up, it doesn't move far enough anymore to momentarily unlock the box. So, I have a half-ass solution that at least works for the moment.