Comments on: Tips to ensure the TSA doesn’t swipe your stuff http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Is This What The TSA Means By ‘Zero Tolerance’? | Alabama Truth Radio and TV http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-92507 Is This What The TSA Means By ‘Zero Tolerance’? | Alabama Truth Radio and TV Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:10:15 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-92507 [...] in 2008, when I started reporting about TSA’s little crime epidemic, the agency strongly denounced the actions of its thieving agents, insisting it had “zero [...] [...] in 2008, when I started reporting about TSA’s little crime epidemic, the agency strongly denounced the actions of its thieving agents, insisting it had “zero [...]

]]> By: Is This What The TSA Means By ‘Zero Tolerance’? | Albert Pujols Jersey http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-92395 Is This What The TSA Means By ‘Zero Tolerance’? | Albert Pujols Jersey Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:58:37 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-92395 [...] in 2008, when I started reporting about TSA’s little crime epidemic, the agency strongly denounced the actions of its thieving agents, insisting it had “zero [...] [...] in 2008, when I started reporting about TSA’s little crime epidemic, the agency strongly denounced the actions of its thieving agents, insisting it had “zero [...]

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-91041 Anonymous Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:29:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-91041 Tampa TSA swiped my 13 year old's Kindle out of his carry on while he was being scanned.  Claim denied.  Go figure! Tampa TSA swiped my 13 year old’s Kindle out of his carry on while he was being scanned.  Claim denied.  Go figure!

]]> By: kaylen spooner http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-90153 kaylen spooner Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:54:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-90153 I was traveling through Philly from Amsterdam to LA and was randomly selected for further screening. My computer, purse, and video camera where coming through the xray. I asked the lady TSA agent if I could get my things. She said NO. I asked if I could wait 30 seconds for my husband to get through the metal detector so he could collect my things. She said NO. I said I didn't want to leave my things, could I just wait for my husband. I was stalling...he was almost through. She said, " nobody is going to steal your shit!! Get your as in the room!" I walked toward the glass screening room while trying to keep my eye on my things. She screams. NOW!. I called her a bitch and walked into the room. She followed me in, pointed her finger at me and said, " watch your fucking mouth, if we where on the street, I would kick your ass". Wow, Of course I complained to the other tsa agent that was there, but nothing happened. They can do anything they want. Talk to you anyway they want. Touch you anyway they want. Something must be done. I was traveling through Philly from Amsterdam to LA and was randomly selected for further screening. My computer, purse, and video camera where coming through the xray. I asked the lady TSA agent if I could get my things. She said NO. I asked if I could wait 30 seconds for my husband to get through the metal detector so he could collect my things. She said NO. I said I didn’t want to leave my things, could I just wait for my husband. I was stalling…he was almost through. She said, ” nobody is going to steal your shit!! Get your as in the room!” I walked toward the glass screening room while trying to keep my eye on my things. She screams. NOW!. I called her a bitch and walked into the room. She followed me in, pointed her finger at me and said, ” watch your fucking mouth, if we where on the street, I would kick your ass”. Wow, Of course I complained to the other tsa agent that was there, but nothing happened. They can do anything they want. Talk to you anyway they want. Touch you anyway they want. Something must be done.

]]> By: Jeff Blakeman http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-84755 Jeff Blakeman Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:33:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-84755 I got it back! see the story here: http://blog.sujovian.com/post/142233544/stolen-macbook-pro-recovered-via-mobile-me I got it back! see the story here: http://blog.sujovian.com/post/142233544/stolen-macbook-pro-recovered-via-mobile-me

]]> By: PATRICIA ANTISTA http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-80687 PATRICIA ANTISTA Sun, 18 Sep 2011 00:25:04 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-80687 we had our cell phone stolen out of the grey tray at JFK. We realized it was gone and reported it within 20 minutes - The tsa in charged could not help me. When we came home from our trip, we were contaced by T-Mobile that there were charges of $5,200.00 in calls to the Island of Jamaica. I have a claim in now. I don't care what I have to do but they are not getting away with it. I am looking into taking them to court if they reject the claim. TSA is suppose to protect us instead they are stealing from us. The whole bunch are low lifes. we had our cell phone stolen out of the grey tray at JFK. We
realized it was gone and reported it within 20 minutes – The tsa in charged could not help me. When we came home
from our trip, we were contaced by T-Mobile that there were
charges of $5,200.00 in calls to the Island of Jamaica.

I have a claim in now. I don’t care what I have to do
but they are not getting away with it. I am looking into
taking them to court if they reject the claim.

TSA is suppose to protect us instead they are stealing from
us. The whole bunch are low lifes.

]]> By: Theft and Corruption: Just Another Day at the TSA | Foolish Nation http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-74059 Theft and Corruption: Just Another Day at the TSA | Foolish Nation Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:45:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-74059 [...] claims that they are misplacing or damaging less of your luggage. The fact is, the number of claims haven’t plummeted at all since the inception of the TSA, the claims paid out by the TSA are what has plummeted. The reality [...] [...] claims that they are misplacing or damaging less of your luggage. The fact is, the number of claims haven’t plummeted at all since the inception of the TSA, the claims paid out by the TSA are what has plummeted. The reality [...]

]]> By: rosey1 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-73421 rosey1 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:49:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-73421 I made the foolish mistake of packing my Bose Stereo-noise canceling earphones in a checked piece in the Seattle Airport. Yup, they're gone. For those who "insist" that most TSA employees are honest, I submit that the reason why most are not prosecuted is because TSA doesn't care. Most people will not submit a claim because, like most government...it goes into the round file. Remember folks: "This is the same government you are entrusting your healthcare to." sanjosemike I made the foolish mistake of packing my Bose Stereo-noise canceling earphones in a checked piece in the Seattle Airport. Yup, they’re gone.
For those who “insist” that most TSA employees are honest, I submit that the reason why most are not prosecuted is because TSA doesn’t care. Most people will not submit a claim because, like most government…it goes into the round file.
Remember folks: “This is the same government you are entrusting your healthcare to.”
sanjosemike

]]> By: Sanjosemike http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-73419 Sanjosemike Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:47:04 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-73419 I made the foolish mistake of packing my Bose Stereo-noise canceling earphones in a checked piece in the Seattle Airport. Yup, they're gone. For those who "insist" that most TSA employees are honest, I submit that the reason why most are not prosecuted is because TSA doesn't care. Most people will not submit a claim because, like most government...it goes into the round file. Remember folks: "This is the same government you are entrusting your healthcare to." sanjosemike I made the foolish mistake of packing my Bose Stereo-noise canceling earphones in a checked piece in the Seattle Airport. Yup, they’re gone.

For those who “insist” that most TSA employees are honest, I submit that the reason why most are not prosecuted is because TSA doesn’t care. Most people will not submit a claim because, like most government…it goes into the round file.

Remember folks: “This is the same government you are entrusting your healthcare to.”

sanjosemike

]]> By: CBP http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-71519 CBP Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:10:55 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-71519 My issue isn't with the TSA employees, it's with the Denver based Froniter Airlines baggage handlers. Some sick freak pilfered my luggage in Denver during a 1 1/2 hour layover on the way home from my wedding/honeymoon. My luggage did not have lock on it because I never dreamed anybody would go through my things. He sorted through my clean and dirty underwear and removed all thongs leaving everything else behind. As an extra little thank you he jizzed on my bag and left the photos of my husband and I stuck together. After trying to blame everybody else and failing miserably, Denver Frontier finally took responsibility. The police confiscated my bag and got a DNA sample from it. The last I heard they were comparing it to other "samples" they had. I did recieve a reimbursement check for underwear and a $150 voucher if I wanted to fly Frontier within the following year. The sad reality is that you can't trust the airlines, USPS, neighbors, or people in general. That 1% of bad employees/people ruin it for everybody. I never fly without a combination lock on my bag and my underwear flies in my carry on. It only took being voilated once to figure out I don't ever want that to happen again. And to think, somewhere in Denver is a sick man who probably has a garage full of clean and dirty women's thong underwear, his "trophies". Maybe your cell phones, wedding rings, shoes and designer glasses are there too... My issue isn’t with the TSA employees, it’s with the Denver based Froniter Airlines baggage handlers. Some sick freak pilfered my luggage in Denver during a 1 1/2 hour layover on the way home from my wedding/honeymoon. My luggage did not have lock on it because I never dreamed anybody would go through my things. He sorted through my clean and dirty underwear and removed all thongs leaving everything else behind. As an extra little thank you he jizzed on my bag and left the photos of my husband and I stuck together. After trying to blame everybody else and failing miserably, Denver Frontier finally took responsibility. The police confiscated my bag and got a DNA sample from it. The last I heard they were comparing it to other “samples” they had. I did recieve a reimbursement check for underwear and a $150 voucher if I wanted to fly Frontier within the following year.

The sad reality is that you can’t trust the airlines, USPS, neighbors, or people in general. That 1% of bad employees/people ruin it for everybody. I never fly without a combination lock on my bag and my underwear flies in my carry on. It only took being voilated once to figure out I don’t ever want that to happen again.

And to think, somewhere in Denver is a sick man who probably has a garage full of clean and dirty women’s thong underwear, his “trophies”. Maybe your cell phones, wedding rings, shoes and designer glasses are there too…

]]> By: Business bans TSA agents – will more follow? | Slinking Toward Retirement http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-64786 Business bans TSA agents – will more follow? | Slinking Toward Retirement Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:09:43 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-64786 [...] include conspiracy, grand larceny and possession of stolen property. We already know that TSA has a little crime problem. But what about the passenger who checked a bag containing $170,000? Isn’t that asking for [...] [...] include conspiracy, grand larceny and possession of stolen property. We already know that TSA has a little crime problem. But what about the passenger who checked a bag containing $170,000? Isn’t that asking for [...]

]]> By: Mary Lou http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-64498 Mary Lou Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:52:09 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-64498 After recently going through US customs in a Canadian airport, flying to Atlanta and on to Puerto Vallarta, it wasn't until I was in my hotel that noticed my TSA approved lock missing. There was no note advising me of a luggage check but I'm pretty sure things were looked at. Absolutely nothing of value was in my suitcase and therefore nothing was missing. Upon my return home I thought I'd do a bit of research on your site and came across this older entry. Sadly, I realised I'm not experiencing anything unusual. When I add to that other issues I encountered: customs agent rudeness and the awkward process of checking carry-on baggage along with shoe removal etc.. , I now know flying to (or through) the US is an unpleasant experience. It's good that the travel industry is concerned about airline schedules or ticket pricing, but they should also focus on the customer relations damage that is done before any customer gets on a plane! Even though my flights with Delta were good, they may not get my business again as I'll look for ways to travel without having to pass through US customs . After recently going through US customs in a Canadian airport, flying to Atlanta and on to Puerto Vallarta, it wasn’t until I was in my hotel that noticed my TSA approved lock missing. There was no note advising me of a luggage check but I’m pretty sure things were looked at. Absolutely nothing of value was in my suitcase and therefore nothing was missing. Upon my return home I thought I’d do a bit of research on your site and came across this older entry. Sadly, I realised I’m not experiencing anything unusual. When I add to that other issues I encountered: customs agent rudeness and the awkward process of checking carry-on baggage along with shoe removal etc.. , I now know flying to (or through) the US is an unpleasant experience. It’s good that the travel industry is concerned about airline schedules or ticket pricing, but they should also focus on the customer relations damage that is done before any customer gets on a plane! Even though my flights with Delta were good, they may not get my business again as I’ll look for ways to travel without having to pass through US customs .

]]> By: The failed TSA’s war on Americans continues | What would Ronald Reagan say? http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-64434 The failed TSA’s war on Americans continues | What would Ronald Reagan say? Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:07:01 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-64434 [...] There’s even a website to help you fend off TSA thieves. [...] [...] There’s even a website to help you fend off TSA thieves. [...]

]]> By: MichelleLV http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-60768 MichelleLV Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:41:37 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-60768 @ Claire Walters- You said why bother reporting things like to the TSA. It makes me wonder how many items stolen go un reported. I'm sure it will make these numbers look meaningless. It does not surprise me that the TSA has thieves. Theft from retail stores alone is a multi-BILLION dollar business. It is important to report all thefts. It will show trends. I don't expect the current TSA to give anything more than a half-a$$ed effort to stop it, but at least if everything is reported it can show trends which will help weed out these losers. If only 1 in a 10 report a theft a ABC airport then it will take a lot longer to see the trend. If so many thefts are reported on the same shift then it will provide less suspects. Now only if we can be assured that the TSA is actually looking for these trends. Unfortunately at this time I'm not sure they care enough to do so. They don't seem to care about anything but stroking their own ego. I'm sure when they start caring about these incidents they will be bragging to CNN about what steps they are taking to stop it. So please keep reporting any and all thefts. It will matter in the long run. @ Claire Walters-

You said why bother reporting things like to the TSA. It makes me wonder how many items stolen go un reported. I’m sure it will make these numbers look meaningless. It does not surprise me that the TSA has thieves. Theft from retail stores alone is a multi-BILLION dollar business.

It is important to report all thefts. It will show trends. I don’t expect the current TSA to give anything more than a half-a$$ed effort to stop it, but at least if everything is reported it can show trends which will help weed out these losers. If only 1 in a 10 report a theft a ABC airport then it will take a lot longer to see the trend. If so many thefts are reported on the same shift then it will provide less suspects.

Now only if we can be assured that the TSA is actually looking for these trends. Unfortunately at this time I’m not sure they care enough to do so. They don’t seem to care about anything but stroking their own ego. I’m sure when they start caring about these incidents they will be bragging to CNN about what steps they are taking to stop it.

So please keep reporting any and all thefts. It will matter in the long run.

]]> By: Tati http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/tips-to-ensure-the-tsa-doesnt-swipe-your-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-37039 Tati Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:56:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5005#comment-37039 Folks it's amazing at all the negative remarks, but there is also good folks that work for TSA. Not everyone steals at TSA. I've seen many expensive things left behind by stupid folks who FORGET them and are turned in by TSA. Does that make all travelers stupid? Of course not! Don't judge unless you have actually been on the other side or judge the whole agency because of a few bad apples. There are bad apples every where like people who make false claims for a fast buck! Folks it’s amazing at all the negative remarks, but there is also good folks that work for TSA. Not everyone steals at TSA. I’ve seen many expensive things left behind by stupid folks who FORGET them and are turned in by TSA. Does that make all travelers stupid? Of course not! Don’t judge unless you have actually been on the other side or judge the whole agency because of a few bad apples. There are bad apples every where like people who make false claims for a fast buck!

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