TSA Vandalizes checked bags again.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Rant here: Just got in to Memphis Tennessee from Indianapolis. My ritual is to open my toolkit (Pelikan 1610 roller box) to see what is missing. Well a large 22 x 17 x 3 solid foam block , the top block that is removed to find the tools is not there. The contents get tossed and one of my replacement parts is broken. Replacement cost of the foam 40-60 bucks, replacement of the glass vial that was secure and had travelled miles and miles safeley, 150 bucks. Amount the TSA vandals will own up to eventually, zero. I was getting complacent, the last 4 flights were safe. Now this one still has me jazzed up hours later.

A call to Indianapolis TSA found no foam block turned in as lost and found. I guess it found a home alright.

Tomorrow I fill out the forms AGAIN and send a copy to TSA, my Senators and Congressman.

Warning: If you find yourself in Indianapolis this weekend for the Grand Prix race, be very cautious of what you check in your bags. My guess it will be a break and lose free for all. Especially since the out of country visitors will not be able to complain much.

I do have to admit, they are down from 80% to around 60% damage/loss per trips taken. Still unacceptable.

In another fourm I frequent, the TSA goons damaged some collectible items and flat out denied responsibility.

End of rant. I guess I feel better now.

Sorry to hear that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon23.gif
I was just asking in another thread about carrying on my flashlight collection, and I will definately not check it in!
TSA<<<<<<<<< /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif

IIRC you've been having problems for a while. Is there any way you can look into the check area to see what they do? I fly out of DFW and I can see over the barrier. They don't like it but to my knowledge they can't stop me.

-LT

I guess it's time to revisit the age-old, non enviromentally friendly option of wrapping up your checked luggage in cling wrap (variously known as Saran Wrap or Glad Wrap). This became very popular some time ago and has apparantly become popular again in several eastern australian airports because of all the allegations that a bunch of crooked baggage handlers have been using the passengers' luggage as a transport medium for illegal drugs.

We've had the much publicised Corby case in Bali and shortly after, the arrest of several handlers in connection with heroin smuggling.

I can say that it won't stop a dedicated thief, but will make those with light-fingers think twice before trying to open your bag.

That is just insane. I think TSA should give you the option of being present during the inspection, after which the bag would be sealed in a tamper-proof way for the remainder of the journey.

[ QUOTE ]
Steelwolf said:
I guess it's time to revisit the age-old, non enviromentally friendly option of wrapping up your checked luggage in cling wrap (variously known as Saran Wrap or Glad Wrap).

[/ QUOTE ]

This won't work. TSA has the right to search any luggage they wish. If it has wrap on, they will simply cut it off. Same with locks. If there is a lock on there they will cut it off. Human nature being what it is, I suspect that adding cling wrap or a non-TSA "friendly" lock will make you *more* likely to have your bag searched.

I'd suggest making your bag as x-ray friendly as possible (dense items spread out) and use a twist tie (not zip tie) to secure your bag. I'd also try to pack in such a way that makes it easy to re-pack as possible while still safeguarding your items.

-john

Pellidon,

Sorry to hear your stuff got damaged/lost, but I am having a bit of a hard time understanding exactly what happened.

I get that some foam got lost and the part it was securing was broken. Something else was missing?

While it doesn't fix the problem, you might be able to get the replacement foam cheaper than from Pelican. I've had good luck with a place called foamorder.com . You can pop the dimentions into their configurator and place your order. It's really slick. You can even select the type of foam and they have little writeups about the various types. Good stuff.

Is it possible to secure the top foam to the lid of the case? Obviously that would reduce the possibility that they lose the foam.

-john

Edit: Oops, you probably want their packing foam page.

John N beat me to it....

The TSA has been granted (in the name of fighting terrorism) the authority to open and examine every checked bag AND everything in the checked bag. Passengers on US airlines are not allowed to make thier bags tamper-proof. Tamper proof bags will be broken open and re-sealed with packing tape. Unauthorized locks will be cut off. That applies to any locked container inside luggage too.

They say that this is to fight terrorism, yet they use anything they find (drugs, money, contraband) as legal evidence in cases not related to terrorism.

When I was a kid tales like this were told of the USSR as proof that the communists were evil. It was pure propaganda, but it sure is ironic now.


Pelidon, when you write to your senator, make sure you suggest a solution. I think an audit trail should be provided for each bag that is opened. Require the employee number of the inspector AND require that the "you've been inspected" slip of paper have the supervisor's ID and signiture. That would require that two people conspire before anything is stolen.

Even better yet would be if teh TSA had to provide a "consolation prize" if your luggage is opened. The prize would be a memory card (reusable in your camera or MP3 player) with an AVI file (video) of the inspection.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Daniel

[ QUOTE ]
Lunal_Tic said:
IIRC you've been having problems for a while. Is there any way you can look into the check area to see what they do? I fly out of DFW and I can see over the barrier. They don't like it but to my knowledge they can't stop me.

-LT

[/ QUOTE ]

In Indianapolis, they do their dirty deeds in the dark underground like rats. It has been rumored I could go in about 3 hours early and have a city (or state?) police officer (the airport real police)escort me to the dungeon as TSA has no authority!?!?! No authority when it suits their dark deeds. Yes, my large photo case turned tool box gets inspected every time (not a problem). It is a problem when someone who failed Kindergarden can't match up square boxes with square cutouts. I did have one incident where the inspector inspects in the open at another airport where he almost forgot to replace the 17 x 22 grey foam block. He almost flubbed it but at the last he got it.

Since I travel a lot and have tools in a juicy camera kit that they I guess think there is cameras to steal, it gets hit every time. My suitbag never gets inspected. I guess the casual traveller accepts their blaming it on the airlines. I know better. One guy at work has a relative that buys boxes of "lost" and confiscated items from TSA at regular sales, usually large grab boxes. He sells the contents at a flea market.

Just a question: how do we know what TSA might have filched, versus what the airline baggage handlers might have filched? Before there even was a TSA, it wasn't that uncommon for baggage handlers to steal things on bags. We really don't know if TSA stole Pellidon's stuff, versus the baggage handlers, do we?

It sounds like we need a way to fight stealing through the process. Here's my suggestion:

1. Many airports allow you to request to be present for the TSA search, after which you can lock your bag up. Ask your airport if they allow this ... if so, take advantage of it, and you address both TSA and baggage handlers in one fell swoop. There was an airport in the LA area I went to recently where I simply walked my bag across the floor to TSA, watched them search for a couple of minutes, then locked my bag up.

2. If you can't be present for the TSA search then buy a TSA-approved lock. TSA has keys for these locks, search your bag, then re-lock the bag. This does not protect against TSA stealing, but does against baggage handlers.

Joe

[ QUOTE ]
John N said:
Pellidon,

Sorry to hear your stuff got damaged/lost, but I am having a bit of a hard time understanding exactly what happened.

I get that some foam got lost and the part it was securing was broken. Something else was missing?

While it doesn't fix the problem, you might be able to get the replacement foam cheaper than from Pelican. I've had good luck with a place called foamorder.com . You can pop the dimentions into their configurator and place your order. It's really slick. You can even select the type of foam and they have little writeups about the various types. Good stuff.

Is it possible to secure the top foam to the lid of the case? Obviously that would reduce the possibility that they lose the foam.

-john

Edit: Oops, you probably want their packing foam page.

[/ QUOTE ]

The box has several layers of foam inserts. They are cut out for holding clear tackle box/craft poly boxes that the tools are clearly visible in. It takes me about 5 minutes to strip the case, check the contents for missing parts prior to a trip, and replace the boxes. The tool to foam ratio is foam by 2:1 It is simple sqare peg-square peg placement of seven boxes. This is the third time one or more of the foam inserts has not been replaces with the contents. Since these bags are opened up on a table and not in the back seat of a golf cart, there is ample room to see all the bits laying about and wonder, "what's this?". The problem is at some airports I think the attitude of these people is lacking in care or downright delight in doing mischief. With the mass numbers of them standing about even during rush times there is no excuse of "overwork". I used to coordinate six or seven college kids serving hot cooked to order breakfast(eggs only) for 1200 in 90 minutes and we never felt "overworked".

Replacement foam cheaper is not the issue. I should not have to replace the foam in the first place. TSA will avoid responsibility again as they have previously.

They are a created in haste, poorly thought out and ill executed 800 pound government gorilla that will continue to vandalize and damage not only our bags but our reputation as a place to have relative hassle free travel. But that is my opinion. As a govenrment entitlement for the spaitially challenged, they will never go away.

I have had the same kit stripped down and inspected in several forigen countries and those inspectors can do it without disturbing a dust bunny. I have watched them do it. They even have a look on thier faces that indicate they are concerned about doing a good job. Not talking to thier buddies about last nights date while "going through the motions". I have seen that one as well.

[ QUOTE ]
Joe Talmadge said:
Just a question: how do we know what TSA might have filched, versus what the airline baggage handlers might have filched? Before there even was a TSA, it wasn't that uncommon for baggage handlers to steal things on bags. We really don't know if TSA stole Pellidon's stuff, versus the baggage handlers, do we?

It sounds like we need a way to fight stealing through the process. Here's my suggestion:

1. Many airports allow you to request to be present for the TSA search, after which you can lock your bag up. Ask your airport if they allow this ... if so, take advantage of it, and you address both TSA and baggage handlers in one fell swoop. There was an airport in the LA area I went to recently where I simply walked my bag across the floor to TSA, watched them search for a couple of minutes, then locked my bag up.

2. If you can't be present for the TSA search then buy a TSA-approved lock. TSA has keys for these locks, search your bag, then re-lock the bag. This does not protect against TSA stealing, but does against baggage handlers.

Joe

[/ QUOTE ]

In almost 18 years of travelling for work, I never had anything filched from a bag prior to TSA. That is in average of 15 flights per year. Now damage/loss occurs to me 6/10 trips on average. I'm up to about 20 or more trips per year now.

Requests for inspection at Indy have come up with "that is in a secure area and we have no controlling authority to allow this" from TSA. No authority? Riiiiight.

I have had four TSA approved locks, they are made with unharden shackles that bend during normal handling. The first was damaged before acutal use by the TSA inspector, who called me to the front to show me the lock was defective!

I have suggested to my Senators that there needs to be a review process or some kind of oversight to these people. I got the form letter telling me about how they are keeping the skies safe, blah blah, blah. There may need to be an adult supervisor standing over them or something.

Now I understand that the skies need to be safe. I also understand that it can be done better in silence and secret following the outdoor hiker's creed of "leave no trace" like some security professionals in other countries can do with ease. Not the Eye candy TSA whose primary purpose is a showing of "see we are taking care of things". The real work still goes on behind the scenes. Not by the clowns in the china shop with the large shoes mucking about knocking things over.

Submit lost/damaged baggage claim to airline. They may try "It wasn't us, it was the TSA". Really doesn't matter, you handed your baggage to the airline, they are responsible within the limits in their tarrifs. Get a copy of their tarrifs. If they don't want to reimburse you in accordance with their tarrifs, you then go to small claims court. If they don't show, you get summary judgement passed in your favor. If they don't pay the judgement, you pay for a ticket with a check and get their account and banking information from the cancelled check. Then you go back to the small claims judge and get a garnishment against the airline's account.

Alternately, travel with an UNLOADED and DECLARED firearm in the case. The case must then be locked by the passenger with the passenger retaining the key. Inspection of the case is then supposed to only take place with the passenger present. See TSA page on travelling with a firearm

You'll probably get no where with the TSA. It's an 800 pound gorilla with no oversight. It's not eye-candy, it's not real security, it's window dressing.

The TSA forms and pages for loss/damage are at this page

You seem to be very disappointed with the TSA and your recent flying experiences, why not drive instead whenever possible? Indy to Memphis is only 6-7 hours, flying probably only saves you 2-3 hours by the time you figure getting from home/work to the airport (plenty early of course), the time of the flight, waiting for your bags, and getting from you rairport to your destination.

I enjoy driving immensely, and will drive anywhere possible instead of flying for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I like to drive.

-Keith

I would also add that the "camera kit" may be a perfect container for your stuff, but maybe it is just too much of a target because it either looks like it has expensive stuff inside or it looks too unlike ordinary luggage and therefore more likely to be searched for terrorist stuff. Either way, you may have better luck with an ordinary hard side suit case converted inside with the foam compartments you need for your stuff. Make it blend in with everything else. Think camouflage.

And you could also send the tools by UPS, but I suppose you thought of that already.

I'm with NeonLights, if I can drive there in 1 day, I'd much rather do that than fly. Even before the TSA flying was miserable. now we're not just treated like cattle, but criminal cattle. Anything less than an 8 or 10 hour drive just doesn't make sense for me to fly. And I can do an 8 hour drive even with the kids just fine. Cheaper too, even with gas prices what they are /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Unfortunately the five hour time frame is about a push for expenses of driving vs flying. Customers and bean counter pressure there or I would drive. I had a regular suitcase once that held up to the weight of the tools for several years. Once it gave up the good fight, none have stood up to more than 1 1/2 trips. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I know the camera kit screams for attention but it is the hardiest form. Other non suitcase kits also cry out for attention. Memphis has the best setup to date. If it weighs more than 30-35 pounds or looks like tools, they x-ray it. And they hand inspect in the open.

I know the TSA is the responsible party. Years of travel and no issues before them. Each bag that is raided has one of thier trademark tickets inside advertisiing they were there. I have thought of transporting a toy gun in the kit to get around the issue since I travel to areas where they frown on real guns (my 10" Super Blackhawk would be sweet though, that's my OMG gun). I do complain to the airlines because they track the abuses as well. US Airways has about three four inch binders full of TSA abuses to bags. Just at my home airport.

Sounds more all the time that besides being primarily /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/broke.gif and having no place I REALLY need to go anyhow....

I ain't ever going to fly again!

Only place I really ever want to go again is Vegas... and Lake Charles is only about 2.5 hours from here! Not EVEN the same experience, but way closer...