Practical Travel Safety Issues - San Juan TSA Checkpoint Belt Caper

Yesterday I flew home on UA out of SJU. Arrived at the B terminal checkpoint and saw they were using metal detectors. I put all my things on the conveyor but did not remove my belt..then as I was waiting for the metal detector they switched over to the scanner so I had to remove my belt.. since my other things had already entered the x-ray machine I just dropped the belt on the conveyor.

After being scanned I went over to collect my things.. I grabbed the belt but when I started to put it on I noticed it wasn't mine (though it was the same size). I had a black Cole Haan belt with nice soft leather. But this black leather belt was very low quality and was damaged apparently from heavy usage.

I looked around for my belt but couldn't find it..so I told a TSA agent who directed me to the supervisor. I assumed I had lost it forever.. but after about 20 minutes someone at the TSA reviewed the video footage and got a physical description of the guy who took it. They said the camera showed him picking it up and looking at it for a bit before putting it on.

The TSA supervisor called over 2 local police officers and we walked together through the B concourse looking for the guy. He was an older man traveling with his wife. Finally we found him..and the police went over and made the exchange.. he didn't cause any trouble. I doubt he did it on purpose.

I was happy and pleasantly surprised to get my belt back! Hurry up PreCheck.. I want the days of removing my belt to be over.

Glad it worked out ^ and amazed that the video surveillance actually worked ;). Oh wait, the TSA was not at fault so of course the video surveillance system worked :rolleyes:

Glad it worked out ^ and amazed that the video surveillance actually worked ;). Oh wait, the TSA was not at fault so of course the video surveillance system worked :rolleyes:
I'm in shock that someone got a positive result with PRPD involvement.

I suppose this is a nice change from their usual schedule of turning a blind eye as people are smuggling drugs on the plane.

Oh wait, the TSA was not at fault so of course the video surveillance system worked :rolleyes:

Naturally. Amazing how that works.

I'm in shock that someone got a positive result with PRPD involvement.

I suppose this is a nice change from their usual schedule of turning a blind eye as people are smuggling drugs on the plane.

Yeah it worked out pretty well.. the cops were professional but I got the impression they were annoyed they had to deal with something so silly. They got back to work quickly though..a bit later on while I was waiting for my flight I saw the same 2 cops escorting a young woman in handcuffs through the terminal..no idea what she did.

Yeah it worked out pretty well.. the cops were professional but I got the impression they were annoyed they had to deal with something so silly. How busy could airport cops really be?
..a bit later on while I was waiting for my flight I saw the same 2 cops escorting a young woman in handcuffs through the terminal..no idea what she did.Oh. Nevermind.

Glad it worked out ^ and amazed that the video surveillance actually worked ;). Oh wait, the TSA was not at fault so of course the video surveillance system worked :rolleyes:

Puppy post coming in 3,2,1...

Mike

Yeah it worked out pretty well.. the cops were professional

This is the biggest surprise. PRPD is known for corruption and buck-passing (oh, your car was stolen? It's your fault for parking it there), not professionalism.

I got the impression they were annoyed they had to deal with something so silly.

That seems right. In my experience with PRPD, they seem like thrill junkies.

a bit later on while I was waiting for my flight I saw the same 2 cops escorting a young woman in handcuffs through the terminal..no idea what she did.

More than likely got caught shoplifting in the terminal, or was caught with drugs.