Ask Me Help Desk - Stolen items out of luggage when flying.

I have been flying for Many years and once in a while "things" would be missing out of my luggage. Since the 911 I have had MANY things stolen out of My luggage. I want to know if others have had the same problem. Or noticed a big difference since TSA started.

Hello boat:

Before 9/11 nobody went through your luggage. Since 9/11, they are going through everything.

Consequently, I don't think there's any surprise that you're missing things, and I don't think there's any doubt who's ripping you off.

It's the very same government people who are supposed to be protecting you... But, they're preying on you instead... Yeah, it's what cops do.

Do you feel safer when you fly?? I sure don't.

excon

Quote:

Originally Posted by ;

Before 9/11 nobody went through your luggage

Oh yes the did without a doubt.

Hi Excon. Always leaning to the gov thing. It's the people that's working there that's ripping other people off! Weather the Gov hired them or a private company.

Just like the street people private citizens stealing from others.

No I don't feel safer when I fly of course I have a better chance of getting robbed.shot or left for dead in the city streets than flying.

Maybe the Gov needs to change there hiring practices. But can't offend people. That's what the Gov tells us. Must be politically correct. See what's that done. Worst now than before.

My problem is it seems like the thief is policing the thief there. Birds of a feather flock togther.

I flew through the US recently and opened my bag to see a notice that my bag was searched (nothing was missing). Did you at least get that notice?

I was a TSA baggage screener from 2002 to 2003. At the regional airport where I worked we didn't have the CT scanners (at that time) so we screened the bags in front of the passengers while they waited. I liked it that way because if I did overlook something, they would catch it and they could lock their bag when I was done.

Now most airports are equipped with the CT scanners and it is done away from the passenger which allows for things to go missing. (I believe most are honest omissions but there are a few bad apples in every barrel.) Passengers are informed not to lock their bags or use TSA approved locks but many do not heed the warning. I was working at Dulles International when a hard shelled bag "alarmed" the CT scanner which means the bag must be opened and inspected. The bag was locked tight and none of the master keys we had would open it, nor would a pick. I watched my supervisor clip off the hinges with an enormous bolt cutter so the bag could be inspected. The bag was tied together with a few gigantic zip ties afterward, but I'm pretty sure most of the contents never arrived.

Also remember, the last people to handle the bags are the baggage handlers for the airlines. I watched a 20/20 episode on those guys and it was a real eye opener.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ;

I flew through the US recently and opened my bag to see a notice that my bag was searched (nothing was missing). Did you at least get that notice?

Need Karma. Yes it said all was returned to the bag.

The only thing missing was a $1,500 Sthil concrete cutoff saw. 42lbs. Kind of hard to miss. Last year my daughters bag someone stole a dog groomers kit. That luggage was lost for 3 days and the TSA said all was returned. This last trip I called the airlines about my bags which was a 92lb brand new electric jack hammer. I said to my gal I will grantee they will bust the wheels off this. Yup no wheels non stop. I said I will be surprised if the saw makes it.

Nope saw did not and that luggage was thrown and smashed. Brand new with HEAVY Duty wheels. The wheels were in tack but the 90 degree molding was broken. The wheels were in tack as were the pins that hold them to a 4" wide molded flexible mold 8" long rivet into the bag. The flexible single mold was broken.

This piece of luggage had saw in it. I'm going back to airline when I return and take my video and slam down that bag to see how HARD it is to brake where it broke. I'm construction and realize weight and materials handling. TOTAL miss use of bag. The bag with the saw also had raspberry Crystal light. ( can't get it where I go ) The powder was smashed and ruined things. I travel a lot in construction. For YEARS. It doesn't tale rocket science here.

So I called airlines wheres my saw. E mailed them. Called them 4 times got a live body. They tell me TSA has it. If they did it got thrown out. The airline rep tells me they throw out chain saws/small boat motors etc. I laughed and said 'Wheres the dumpster for that" " The back of someone car" The rep admitted it sounds bad and fishy. TSA finally calls me and says airline has it. They have no lost and found. Finally Another rep calls back and says found saw. It took me 18 phone calls through out this. TSA web site has nothing about this item or chain saws etc. I called ahead before I PACKED it. I was told no problem as long as no Gas is in it. Flyrisized accordingly.

21boat: I think I can answer you as you why your bag and stuff were torn up.

92lbs is a heavy bag. Real heavy. If you put that inside the bag then its weight is what most likely broke the wheels off. Regular passenger luggage isn't designed to hold that kind of weight so densely packed.

At IAD the bags take a 1 story drop from the main floor. I would imagine that much weight inside the bag would cause it to pop open and articles to come loose. If you routinely fly, I would recommend a custom protective case with soft foam inserts to hold the items snugly in place.

Both UPS and FedEx offer freight options that would be alternatives to checking your equipment.

The 92lb was a electric hammer jack hammer that's in its Own sealed case with its own wheels to support that load. Its designed as a tools case so you can wheel it around the job site. Not in a bag and to long for that. The case is the bag

As I said before traveled a lot. Know the in and outs. Packed a Ton of job site things tools equipment etc. lasers etc. Seasoned well. Not a suit and tie guy. ( no offense here)

The one story drop is interesting do you mean an actual drop or a 1st world conveyor belt. Not the 3rd world oops You know someone that has some common sense in most areas of there job.

Emland Thanks for the post In a sad Way I laughed reading your post. Obviously you are and expert here. Lucky for me.

The bag that was broken also a 3rd bag was damaged didn't mention that earlier same trip. The damage bag that the wheel mold was broken off had Bubble wrap around the saw. It had a few small items in it weight was 48lbs. I weigh ALL of my bags. Travel with many variables. I have been sniffed as the laser case etc. I don't mind it. I all for better safety.

I also can understand the airlines saying not covering bags with wheels. But what a get out of the chuck it with no regard licenses.

As an expert here I bet you remember the Denver airport auto bag system belts that did everything but get the bag from point A to B.

It was a stainless steel slide and bags routinely bounced out of the holding bin and hit the concrete floor.

Another factor is that screeners and handlers alike really take out their frustrations on heavy bags. "Great, a 100 lber headed to JFK" - chunk - kick - "Oops! it fell." It isn't right, but it happens.

I have read reports where a screener was stealing electronics and ebaying it, but the people I met and worked with were all ready reliable people just trying to make a living. It isn't really worth losing your job and all those federal benefit's to steal someone's stuff.