TSA Gorillas

I don't know anything about this particular newspaper, but I thought the commentary article was interesting...

http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12548&Itemid=42

Gee, now I feel MUCH better!    Especially after reading this extract from the article.....
 And then there's this cheery thought: If people at airports can take stuff out of bags, they can just as easily stuff stuff into bags. Like guns, bombs, and knives.  

Just love this world we live in! 

I think my brain bends at the irony of all of this theiving is done in the name of...security!!! 

My evil stepfather did store security for years and years and he's the biggest crook around. He would have shoplifters prosecuted as he was shifting goods out the back door! 

Yeah, they're total airport Nazi's in Chicago. I was wanded last week and the woman actually traced the outline of my bra! 
I know 

Isn't Chicago the airport where people were investigated for stealing out of suitcases?

Isn't Chicago the airport where people were investigated for stealing out of suitcases?

Yes, at O'hare in fact. Goes hand in hand with the Chicago postmen dumping mail in the lake! 
I still love my city though.

Yes, at O'hare in fact. Goes hand in hand with the Chicago postmen dumping mail in the lake! 
I still love my city though.

Me too..

I've had the worst luck with things being stolen out of my checked bags. I had a pair of $150 jeans stolen on a trip to San Juan, and my makeup bag that had all my expensive brushes, cosmetics, and birth control as well as my ipod charger where stolen out of my bag on a flight to costa rica. I filed a complaint the seconds time. I just got back a letter saying it wasn't TSA's fault and i could appeal to the Supreme Court!!!
It's always the stuff I've placed on top that gets taken, so now I try to pile the top with older clothes/big coats.

Here's the reply I reveived from TSA today.

Thank you for your e-mail message. 

 

Enhanced security measures require that all checked baggage undergo some form of screening for prohibited items.  Physical search of the luggage is required to clear every alarm.  TSA screeners should exercise great care during the screening process to ensure that passengers' belongings are returned and not damaged when a bag needs to be opened.  Unfortunately, on some occasions the screening process may fall short of our established standard.  We apologize if these high standards were not met.

 

We monitor the number and nature of complaints we receive to track trends and spot areas of concern that may require special attention. This ongoing process will enable us to ensure prompt, corrective action whenever we determine that security-screening policies need modification or specific employees or screener teams are the subjects of repeated complaints.

 

Additionally, we have forwarded a copy of your email to the Customer Service Manager at that airport. The Customer Service Manager is responsible for ensuring that the screener workforce adheres to TSA principles for professional processing.

 

With that said, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for reviewing all claims relating to the screening of passengers and their baggage.  In order to protect your rights under federal law and to file a valid claim, you must send your claim in writing to TSA, stating the circumstances of the loss and the exact amount you are claiming (fair market value of lost or destroyed property, reasonable cost of repair for damaged property), within two years after your claim accrued.  The claim must be signed by you or your authorized representative (e.g., an attorney or other personal representative with appropriate proof of authority). 

 

You can satisfy the notice requirement by filling out the attached Standard Form 95 (claim form) in accordance with the instructions, and returning it to the address in box #1.  Please be sure to follow the instructions carefully, and to fill out the claim form completely.  While use of the form is not mandatory, it will help you ensure that you meet the legal requirements for filing a claim. 

 

Once the Claims Management Office has received your claim form, you will be sent a letter of acknowledgement and a claim number.  You should keep the claim number for future reference when inquiring about your claim.  TSA will try to resolve your claim as quickly as possible, but it may need time to make a further investigation of the facts.  If TSA denies your claim, or has not finally resolved it within six months after you have filed it, you may have a right to bring your claim to court. 

 

Please visit TSA's Claims Management Office's website at https://claims.tsa.dhs.gov for information related to filing a claim, checking the status of a claim and other claim related issues.

 

We hope that this provides you with all of the information you need. If you have additional questions related to the claims process, please contact the Claims Management Office at tsaclaimsoffice@dhs.gov.  Please visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA.  We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.

 

TSA Contact Center

Well at least they sent you a standard generated email

For some reason I tend to get picked for "random" security checks and I've found (after actual testing) that if I pile a bunch of tampons loosely on top of my clothes (the ones in the pink wrappers work really well) then they pop open the suitcase, freak out a bit, zip it right back up and let me on my way. 

 

That's very funny.

if I pile a bunch of tampons loosely on top of my clothes (the ones in the pink wrappers work really well) then they pop open the suitcase, freak out a bit, zip it right back up and let me on my way. 

Freaked out by the sight of a wrapped tampon? 
That's a bit odd. 

Freaked out by the sight of a wrapped tampon? 
That's a bit odd. 

I agree, especially since I've watched them go through my suitcase and find something a LOT more embarrassing and that didn't deter them one bit!!

I agree, especially since I've watched them go through my suitcase and find something a LOT more embarrassing and that didn't deter them one bit!!

I've never seen them go through my bags but I'm sure I've also packed much more embarrassing things than tampons. In fact this last time my bag was man-handled I had several applicator-less tampons tossed in the bag and I never even thought about it until now.

It was always younger men who were doing the rifiling and it was like they were afraid to touch them to move them around. It happened four times. The times I haven''t included them they went through everything. Perhaps it was coincidence? I just found it odd the first time (which was just my being in a hurry and tossing them in at the last minute) so after I got selected again and they went through my stuff, I did it intentionally the next few times.