We followed instructions and used cable ties to secure our luggage. We hung the locks on one of the straps (nowhere near the zippers). On the way home, one of the cases were opened (it contained a tri-pod), which we were expecting. BUT, the lock is now missing. It wasn't a suitcase lock, but a bright colored lock that we previously used. The lock on our other suitcase was still there (& it wasn't opened).

What do you guys think about this? While I don't like them opening the luggage, they could have left the lock alone. It wasn't securing anything. It was just hanging there.

The case wasn't opened outbound... It still contained the same tripod. It didn't have anything besides shoes, cosmetics and a couple of tee shirts. Same as outbound. Can't these guys distinguish camera equipment? The TSA didn't bother us at all at the security checkpoint & my husband was carrying a LOAD of equipment - much of it cylindrical http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif.

Opinions?

Mary

Sounds like an article disappeared and you need to make a claim. Could be theft. Call the famous well-publicized toll free number staffed by TSA professionals and I'm sure all will be made right http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/rolleyes.gif

"We don't steal, not even a sandwich. Talk to (the hand) your airline..."

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
Sounds like an article disappeared and you need to make a claim. Could be theft. Call the famous well-publicized toll free number staffed by TSA professionals and I'm sure all will be made right http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/rolleyes.gif</font>



------------------
"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

File claims with both the airline and TSA in the proper manner. You can always revoke a claim later as facts and details come out but you cannot start filing a claim late.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

Make a claim with the TSA in one hand, and make a wish in the other hand...guess which one will fill up first?

rawbert

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AllanJ:
File claims with both the airline and TSA in the proper manner. You can always revoke a claim later as facts and details come out but you cannot start filing a claim late.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm</font>

Do you really think it's necessary to file a claim for a lock that's worth, at most, a couple of dollars?

I still can't believe that they did it.

Mary

It's not worth it to file a claim since you wouldn't be reimbursed. If you aren't missing anything, just write it off.

The airline would tell you that it doesn't cover anything hanging on the suitcase. I've lost locks before and it had nothing to do with TSA, they sometimes get stuck in the belts (or someone's pocket) during normal handling. That's why you shouldn't leave the shoulder straps attached to checked luggage. TSA would tell you it didn't remove that lock since it wasn't holding the case closed. It's just not worth the hassle.

Yes, file it anyway. The more incidents of theft that are reported, the sooner the insane checked baggage policy will be modified.

From Better Off Dead:

"I WANT MY TWO DOLLARS!!!" http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mary2e:
Do you really think it's necessary to file a claim for a lock that's worth, at most, a couple of dollars?

I still can't believe that they did it.

Mary</font>



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

Why are you assuming that TSA removed it? I am sure a possible explanation is that a burley bag handler tossed your 75lb bag out of the aircraft thus breaking your inexpensive lock.....

Wasn't an inexpensive lock, and it wasn't small. It was triagular and about 2-3 inches long. The one on the other suitcase wasn't touched. Is it just a coincidence that the cable tie (bright orange) was snipped off this suitcase & the lock is also missing. I doubt it.

I think that the TSA guy saw a lock & assumed it was locking something and broke it off (it was a combination lock). He then realized it wasn't locking anything and snipped off the cable tie to open the suitcase.

My real question is what the heck did they think was in there? It was a 2 foot long camera tripod, some shoes & lots of dirty underwear http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif. The clothes & souvies were all in the untouched bag. The only reason we're traveling with 2 bags is to hold the tripod (since we can't carry it on).

The TSA didn't bother to check our carry on, that contained LOTS of camera equipment, lenses & filters. Now that stuff can look odd through the machines (I've watched). We didn't get bothered at all through security.

I've already started mailing my laptop to my destination.... the tripod is going to start going with it.

Mary

Mary,
I'm sorry that your lock was lost/cut which ever. As as TSA baggage screener, I can say that we don't just hap hazzardly decide which bags to get into. I personally screen hundreds of bags a day.We don't spend a whole lot of time analying whether or not we "think" there might be "something" in a bag because it is locked. We use a CTX machine to screen bags. It will highlight questionable areas to check. I am guessing that it was your SHOES that were the culprit especially if they have thick soles. The reason the other bag was not opened was because it was not hit on by the machine.
Our airport has the CTX machines in the lobby, so every effort is made to have the passenger present should we have to enter a bag. Even so we still have pasengers who are unable to find their key, or open their bag and we must cut or break a lock. Having the pasengers present is good in most cases, but makes the check in process a bit slower. Lets face it, nobody likes standing in lines, but especially not when they are stressed about making it to their flight on-time.

The point I was trying to make about the "burly bag handler" was that people think that because they are checking in their precious items or expensive bag, that it will be treated gently. Bags get dropped, stuck in conveyor belts, thrown down the length of the aircraft, smashed on the bottom of a huge pile of bags, left in the rain, fall out of aircraft on the tarmac....on and on. I am amazed at the amount of locks, straps, tags and other items that come off in our machine or on the conveyors....some times it really is not ANYONE'S fault. I hope that your next travel experience will be better.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">We use a CTX machine to screen bags. It will highlight questionable areas to check. I am guessing that it was your SHOES that were the culprit especially if they have thick soles.</font>

This is a thrilling bit of news. Thick soled shoes are not an unusual item to be found in a suitcase. And these multi million $$ machines cannot tell a shoe from a bomb?? Very reassuring!

Where did Richard Reed have his explosive device?? Ever see a photo of it?? It was incredibly small yet it is said that it is strong enough to do considerable damage. The next time u are in the airport ask a CTX screener how that machine works.... and what it hits on... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Cholula:
This is a thrilling bit of news. Thick soled shoes are not an unusual item to be found in a suitcase. And these multi million $$ machines cannot tell a shoe from a bomb?? Very reassuring! </font>

Maybe they are not designed for shape recognition ya think?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:

From Better Off Dead:

"I WANT MY TWO DOLLARS!!!" http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif


</font>

The is is the joy of this forum. I love that movie!
Rita

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Cholula:
This is a thrilling bit of news. Thick soled shoes are not an unusual item to be found in a suitcase. And these multi million $$ machines cannot tell a shoe from a bomb?? Very reassuring! </font>

In a perfect world...

No the machine cannot tell the difference, but secondary screening of highlighted bags most definitely can.

[This message has been edited by cmhscreener (edited 03-20-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The next time u are in the airport ask a CTX screener how that machine works.... and what it hits on...</font>

Must be a shift change at the airport...so many TSA folks weighing in....
Bag Skivvy....I certainly hope you are kidding with this suggestion. I can just see me...or anyone else.....giving the 3rd degree to the CTX screener and asking what objects it sees and what it doesn't. Next thing you know....rather than being ensconced in my First Class Throne...I'd be in a dungeon in the airport with a bright light shining on my face and a rubber hose at ready!!
You guys think silence is suspicious?? How about some dude asking a LOT of questions as to how the CTX works?? Is that acceptable and "normal "??

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tsadude:
Maybe they are not designed for shape recognition ya think?</font>

tsadude....yeah, I DO think that for a few million tax payer $$'s, one of the Daschle specials could tell the difference from a freaking shoe and a bomb!! Excuuuuuuse me if I expect too much for my hard earned bucks....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Where did Richard Reed have his explosive device?? Ever see a photo of it?? It was incredibly small yet it is said that it is strong enough to do considerable damage.</font>
Might as well make it three in a row so I can hit the sack with a http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif on my mug.
Bag Skivvy....pray tell how will TSA handle it when....and it WILL happen...someone tries to smuggle a bomb onboard via an underwire bra or a jockstrap?? Do bras and jockstraps go in the same bin through security as shoes or will you have separate ones for them? I'm pretty sure an " incredibly small yet strong " device can be smuggled in this apparel as well.
So many TSA Screeners, so little time.....

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Cholula:
[ Do bras and jockstraps go in the same bin through security as shoes or will you have separate ones for them? B]</font>

For you, I think we'll have separate bins. And would'nt that be a hoot? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif
Might really make this job more enjoyable seeing the general public walking around half dressed....eeew gross!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Cholula:
[B] Must be a shift change at the airport...so many TSA folks weighing in....
Bag Skivvy....I certainly hope you are kidding with this suggestion. I can just see me...or anyone else.....giving the 3rd degree to the CTX screener and asking what objects it sees and what it doesn't. Next thing you know....rather than being ensconced in my First Class Throne...I'd be in a dungeon in the airport with a bright light shining on my face and a rubber hose at ready!!
</font>

Ok, there ya go....I said "ASK", not dig up enough info to write your thesis for your degree in rocket science! General curiosity is not deemed as suspicious activity. I get numerous questions HOURLY. But, I am normally busy and not able to spend more than a minute or so answering questions. And when we really want to torture you "Freakin'" Fliers we book ya on a flt on one of those airlines that doesnt hand out reserved seats....you know the one..."Cattle Call" Airlines.?? And if you're really GOOD you might get to sit next to someone who only takes up one of the seats in the row!

Cholula was actually making a logical point. Richard Reid (correct spelling) could have shoved his little bomb up his rear end. How would the TSA have found it there? Women have even more possibilities.

If bombs can be hidden in one place, it does little good to search lots of other places. And if you're not going to search everywhere, then you might as well search nowhere. It's simple logic, not rocket science.

This is why intelligent people laugh at the TSA's frantic efforts to "make us safe." It's all a charade. If we're safer, it's because cockpit doors have been fortified and flight crews have learned not to cooperate with hijackers. All the rest is essentially ineffective nonsense -- nothing more than window dressing.

Incidentally, none of the above is intended to imply that TSA staff have bad intentions. Most of them DON'T! But they have been led to believe that they are doing something good for the country, when in fact, they are doing the exact opposite. And, of course, the TSA has a few bad apples, too -- none of whom have been seen on FlyerTalk. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Bruce

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bag Skivvy:
Where did Richard Reed have his explosive device?? Ever see a photo of it?? It was incredibly small yet it is said that it is strong enough to do considerable damage. The next time u are in the airport ask a CTX screener how that machine works.... and what it hits on... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif</font>

Are they allowed to tell us that? Seems like the canned response to questions of that nature is that it is SSI.



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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

It IS a canned response. The notion that any procedures followed by 65,000 people could be "secret" is patently absurd. This is just a way of making people believe that their jobs are important. (Another way is to pay them a lot, but let's set that aside for now!)

Atomic bomb design was really secret for quite a while (decades, actually), but now the design of a primitive (Nagasaki-style) atomic bomb is widely known. (Of course, getting the plutonium fuel is another matter -- fortunately!!!)

If the design of an atomic bomb can't be kept secret, how can anyone believe that anything done by the TSA is really secret?

Bruce

From first-hand experience, I can tell you that the information from such an interview would not be a viable source for a rocket science thesis or dissertation. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bag Skivvy:
Ok, there ya go....I said "ASK", not dig up enough info to write your thesis for your degree in rocket science! </font>



------------------
"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Cholula:
tsadude....yeah, I DO think that for a few million tax payer $$'s, one of the Daschle specials could tell the difference from a freaking shoe and a bomb!! Excuuuuuuse me if I expect too much for my hard earned bucks....</font>

Actually you do not know if it already does,do you?

Originally posted by tazi:
Are they allowed to tell us that? Seems like the canned response to questions of that nature is that it is SSI.


Not SSI...saw the picture of the shoe bomb on one of the news channels..(MSN?) Ok, I see your side of the issue regarding hiding places....Even if we are not actually out there "terrorist busting", I do feel that we find some items that ignorant and/or crazy people pack in their carryons and checked luggage. I'm Not saying TSA is the answer, but people would have their goats and BBQ's with them if you let them. (NO LIE)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">people would have their goats and BBQ's with them if you let them. (NO LIE)</font>
BagSkivvy.....catch any AeroMexico flight and you'll see bizarre stuff like that every time! Sit in an aisle seat at your own risk as pax stroll by with steaming pots of menudo and worse!! How the He** do they get this stuff to the airport, past security and on the plane and it's STILL boiling and bubbling??!!

With all the sharp-pointy object arguments and what is and isn't permitted on aircraft today. Has noone seen that over 1100 handguns were caught at the checkpoints this past year? Who in todays world would actually think they could carry a handgun onto an aircraft? Now THOSE are the people I worry about.

Why do you worry about these people, Aces?

I would think these are people used to carrying guns around and they simply forgot they had one. I wouldn't think these are hijackers who were foiled at the checkpoint.

For that matter, if someone brings a gun aboard, so what? What are they going to do with it? Passengers would overcome them if they tried anything.

Sharp pointy objects are one thing and I think passengers would jump anyone with those. Hopefully no one will ever have to again. Guns are another matter. I doubt anyone would try to jump someone who has the drop on them. Anyone who tries to bring a gun through the checkpoint today, given what is going on, and then has to ask why he cannot take it, needs to be looked at very closely...LOL