That's why I always pack a pill jar of cyanide labeled "drugs".

/Just trying to do my part.

That's why I rush to the carousel and make sure to grab my bag as soon as it comes out of the little door. And if I see someone holding my bag with my markings on it? Time to practice my hip checks.

Yeah, I'll bet that the TSA people steal 10 times as much baggage, not to mention how they specialize in jewelry, electronics, and really anything valuable.

They aren't there to protect you, everyone. They are there to take away your freedoms and to steal as much as they can.

I checked a bag with one of those TSA locks. In it I had a brand new mp3 player, still in the box. When I got home, I unlocked the bag and found the box inside. But the mp3 player and the install disc were missing. The lady at Continental told me that this kind of thing happens all the time.

Most.Unlikely.Evar.

There are countless news stories about baggage handlers routinely going thru baggage and stealing the contents. And their union won't allow airports to install cameras in the behind the scenes baggage handling area. My friend had hundreds of dollars in jewelry stolen from her checked bag. Yes, she was stupid to put it in her checked baggage, but this was not stolen by a homeless person. I was right with her when the bag came out onto baggage claim area. The only people that could have stolen it were the baggage handlers. I have stopped putting locks on my luggage because every vacation they just break them off, even the TSA approved ones. When they see locks that equals to them "Ohhhhh must be something good inside! Let's look!"

So, they're telling me I can't get ten feet in the farking airport without someone requesting that I take my shoes off, confiscating my toothpaste and asking me questions about whether or not I employed any brown-skinned strangers with funny hats to help me pack but hobos are able to move about the airport freely with luggage? Riiight.

My flight was cancelled coming home once while I was on business. But my bag had already flown ahead of me. Either my bag was nabbed by the TSA etc. or they pulled it off the conveyor in baggage claim and just left it there. They didn't bother to pull it back into the office.

So either way. IMO the TSA allowed my bag to be stolen.

I came through TSA on the first day they every worked, coming back from China with 120 pounds of goth jeans and jewelry.

Since I was with my blue-haired nephew, of course they pulled our bags and had a look.

Watching them try to get that stuff packed again was so hilarious, we got thrown out of the area for laughing. Our stuff arrived home the day after we did--packed in cardboard boxes, with all manner of stuff broken.

Since then, even if I am just going MEM-ATL, I either carry one change of clothes in my computer bag, or ship my baggage by FedEx. Last time our whole tribe went to China we sent our effects by DHL and it got there before we did.

So, triple fark the TSA.

.

If homeless people are lurking around baggage claim, then that's a failure on their part as well. Lame excuse - they're culpable either way.

Thank heavens we have them. I mean some terrorist could have had toothpaste or bottled water in their shoes. Now, I know that I won't be attacked by a terrorist who is well hydrated and has good breath. Thanks TSA!

You know, I think I should go work for the TSA. I'd love to get rich working for the government, stealing other people's valuables. Sell it all on E-bay and laugh my way to the bank. Hell, it isn't like there is anything to learn. Just be an asshole, toss every liquid over 3oz, and get a decent lockpicking kit.

I used to be a CSA for TWA at JFK (enough abbreviations for you?) and I'm getting a kick ....

Seriously, I did a rotation in the lost luggage department. Whenever a lost bag arrived, we'd have to go through it looking for ID (this usually happened when all the external tags were ripped off, especially when the passenger p'd off the ticket agent in St; Louis who, as soon as the customer left for their flight to Miami, ripped off all their tags and sent the bag to JFK). Things had a way of slipping out of the bags. I was also friendly with the guys who worked on the ramps. If you gave them a shopping list of goods, they'd "get" them for you.

Other than that, and I haven't flown in a while, the NYC area airports have made passengers show their baggage claim ticket before leaving baggage claim for decades.

what do they pay baggage handlers?

It's difficult to know how often baggage theft happens, Grangent said. Many travelers whose bags turn up missing file a report with the airline, but don't file police reports.

That's because it's more likely the airline is the reason their bag is missing. And after the hassle the airline gives you about the bag they lost who wants to deal with another set of unsympathetic people.

TSA has limited opportunity to steal stuff from bags plus it would be done under many, MANY cameras.

I'm not going to say it doesn't happen just that it's a mighty risky endeavor as opposed to airline handlers that have zero cameras on them and much more opportunity.

Um, since when do homeless people hang around luggage areas? Airports are so locked down you can't be inside without a ticket. Or is this near the ticket counters, before security checkpoints? Still, that seems a bit difficult to steal luggage.

I can remember going through airports years ago and having someone there who checked the tags before you were allowed to leave the baggage claim area with anything. I always wondered whatever happened to that.

British: Um, since when do homeless people hang around luggage areas? Airports are so locked down you can't be inside without a ticket. Or is this near the ticket counters, before security checkpoints? Still, that seems a bit difficult to steal luggage.

I'd venture to say off of the carousel.

My uncle worked for American (now retired) and has one of those AA fly-free-for-life cards. He travels so much, he is somehow able to pack all of the luggage he needs into one carry-on.

That's the ticket. Either do that, or Fed-Ex stuff you were going to check. The way the airlines are charging for baggage nowadays, shipping it is cheaper. Unlike baggage checked on an airline, you can insure it, and the freight companies have a much higher standard to adhere to than airline baggage services.

/personally haven't flown since '97, and have no plans to in the near-to-mid future

TSA: the finest security minimum wage can rent

wanted for questioning

/know what I'm sayin?

Doctor Funkenstein: So, they're telling me I can't get ten feet in the farking airport without someone requesting that I take my shoes off, confiscating my toothpaste and asking me questions about whether or not I employed any brown-skinned strangers with funny hats to help me pack but hobos are able to move about the airport freely with luggage? Riiight.

Annnnd we're done here. Good job, thanks everybody.

Why is it that anytime I travel with a folding pocket knife (legal length) in my checked luggage, TSA finds a need to go through that bag? What, they think I'm carrying OJ's missing weapon to Dallas?

Same goes for Leatherman multitools. Put one in your checked luggage, have a 50% chance the tool won't make it to your destination

tonguedepressor: TSA has limited opportunity to steal stuff from bags

TSA might not steal stuff directly, but they do ensure travelers cannot put effective locks on their luggage, making it that much easier for baggage handlers to steal stuff later on in the process.

The TSA does a lot of their recruiting there, by the baggage claim, recruiting homeless poeple.

true story.

Schwab's bag was not only filled with his clothes, but about $1,400 worth of motorcycle clothing and gear, he said.

Leather dude

lol

You can't tell every homeless person just by looking at (or smelling) them. Some of them, you know, stay clean in order to look like a normal person so they can blend in like they're just another passenger.

This is easily cured.
"Tiffany" marked box contains real jewelry and a homing device, is sent through as luggage.
When it disappears, all the TSA screeners line up.
Anyone objecting is fired on the spot, barred from all civil service for life.
The one with the device in his pocket goes to Guantanamo in chains with a black bag over his head - right now, on the spot.

Cheaper alternate: wrap fine white powder in colored plastic 1 kilo bricks, tagged with cute little name-tags like "INSTANT DEATH", and send through in luggage.
They'll disappear.
We do nothing.
How does it work?
It's not just seized cocaine or heroin from the DEA - it's 1% ricin. No arrest, no trial, no sentence, no appeal.

Problem solved.

British: Um, since when do homeless people hang around luggage areas? Airports are so locked down you can't be inside without a ticket. Or is this near the ticket counters, before security checkpoints? Still, that seems a bit difficult to steal luggage.

Not to mention, this is the Atlanta Airport. I don't know about other airports, but Hartsfield has the farking worst police officers in the world. They are routinely on the news for arresting some old lady or harassing someone. Simply put, some of the biggest dicks in the world work as officers there.

wow security is tight if homeless can sneak into "secured" areas....

It's the ghost of John Holmes, still supporting his coke habit.

I would rather have security run by the retarded greeters they use at WalMart, because at least they would use common sense and pay more attention to what constitutes a security threat. (Hint: Toothpaste is not a security risk.)

Hell, if I ever fly, I'm just going to take what I can carry on, then hit Wal-Mart when I get there for clothes, etc. Seems easier than dealing with the baggage worries. But then they'll only nail me for traveling w/o luggage. Oh noes, potential terrorist here!

FedExing luggage is looking more appealing every day.

ChicagoKev: Why is it that anytime I travel with a folding pocket knife (legal length) in my checked luggage, TSA finds a need to go through that bag? What, they think I'm carrying OJ's missing weapon to Dallas?

Same goes for Leatherman multitools. Put one in your checked luggage, have a 50% chance the tool won't make it to your destination

tonguedepressor: TSA has limited opportunity to steal stuff from bags

TSA might not steal stuff directly, but they do ensure travelers cannot put effective locks on their luggage, making it that much easier for baggage handlers to steal stuff later on in the process.

Has nothing to do with your knife and everything to do with what else you have in there.

Syrup, books with high gloss pages or pics, large bottles of dense liquid.

Sand, tools, lead crystal, laptops. These are just some examples.

You could have your entire ninja sword collection in there and not have it alarm the EDS.

I'm a homeless person lurking in the baggage claim area and BLAH BLAH BLAH

Duh. I'm surprised that it doesn't happen more often. As for items getting stolen by baggage handlers: if you don't want expensive electronics broken or stolen, don't farking put them in your checked baggage - that's what carry-on bags are for.

Clothes, toiletries, and other necessities are the only things that go in checked bags. Have an iPod, digicam, portable dvd player, or laptop? Stow it under the seat or the overhead compartment.

Don't trust unaccountable strangers with your possessions. This is all very simple.

/DNRTFA

From TFA: Thomas was charged with unlawful removal of bags and theft by taking

Oh, that kind of theft! Is there another kind? Like theft by giving away something really bad?

captain_napalm: I'm a homeless person lurking in the baggage claim area and BLAH BLAH BLAH

...getting a kick out of these comments. yahyahyah

I had a ring I got from my ex-girlfriend in a checked bag. It disappeared. It sucks cause it was a really nice ring.

FTFA: On June 17, an Atlanta police officer watched Thomas remove a large black bag from a Delta baggage carousel and try to leave, the police report said.

That's no way to talk about a man's wife.

I work for TSA and .................my work is done here

Thanks tonguedepressor

Next time you get something "lost or stolen" from your bags contact the airport you started at. Just about all the airports have cameras in the area that TSA does the searches. I know for a fact that they will pull the tapes and look though them to see if TSA did what you claimed they did. Course it's a PITA to have to sit though hours of tape just to find one black softsided suitcase or Military style duffle.

TrixieDelite: FTFA: On June 17, an Atlanta police officer watched Thomas remove a large black bag from a Delta baggage carousel and try to leave, the police report said.

That's no way to talk about a man's wife.

hahaha

The TSA is a joke...Last week I was going through airport security when a TSA officer asked to look into my backpack. The x-ray machine showed something looked suspicious and imagine my surprise when he pulls this mother farker out of it...



It was attached to the rivet/nut as well and I literally SHAT myself right there on the spot...Turns out I had left it in my backpack on accident because I take it along with me on bike-rides to tune her up. Now I was sweating bullets and pooping bricks when he brings over a ruler, measures the length and say's, "it's ok".

/All the more funny 'cause I'm brown

Blinxs: I had a ring I got from my ex-girlfriend in a checked bag. It disappeared. It sucks cause it was a really nice ring.

Giving your ex a ring kind of sends the wrong signals doesn't it?

mouser_inc: I work for TSA and .................my work is done here

Thanks tonguedepressor

Next time you get something "lost or stolen" from your bags contact the airport you started at. Just about all the airports have cameras in the area that TSA does the searches. I know for a fact that they will pull the tapes and look though them to see if TSA did what you claimed they did. Course it's a PITA to have to sit though hours of tape just to find one black softsided suitcase or Military style duffle.

Some of us citizens are behind you all the way officer.

Me and my friends have a game we play.

Anytime someone goes on a plane trip, everyone else try's to slip no-no items in their luggage, on their person, in their briefcase, really just about anything they will have with them. Nothing illegal like handguns or real bombs, but stuff that'll get them strip searched.

One time I had to take a trip to D.C. and I forgot to check my luggage until right before I got to the airport. Inside I found a brick of grey molders clay, lose wires, and an old fashioned alarm clock. That screening would not have been fun.

A_Listless_Wanderer: Blinxs: I had a ring I got from my ex-girlfriend in a checked bag. It disappeared. It sucks cause it was a really nice ring.

Giving your ex a ring kind of sends the wrong signals doesn't it?

Wasn't an ex at the time. But it sucked losing it. For the longest time I thought I had just misplaced it (I do that a lot), but after reading an article similar to this it clicked.

Bunnyhat: Me and my friends have a game we play.

Anytime someone goes on a plane trip, everyone else try's to slip no-no items in their luggage, on their person, in their briefcase, really just about anything they will have with them. Nothing illegal like handguns or real bombs, but stuff that'll get them strip searched.

One time I had to take a trip to D.C. and I forgot to check my luggage until right before I got to the airport. Inside I found a brick of grey molders clay, lose wires, and an old fashioned alarm clock. That screening would not have been fun.

One of you are going to wind up with a full body cavity search. The Roto Rooter kind.