TSA did not open this lock.
How do you know?
When a zipper has broken on a bag that you open, what is the SOP in re-sealing this bag? This is the salient point here, and TSA will not provide this info.
I can't remember precisely what's in the checked baggage SOP (it's been over a year since I've read it!) but generally we'd either tape the bag shut (a PITA for the passenger in the old days, when scissors weren't allowed in carry-ons -- how do you get all that tape off?!) or put the entire bag into a clear plastic trash bag. I'd think the TSO would use whatever supplies were available to him/her, which might vary by airport.
Both of my bags did not make the flight. Only one was open and items stolen.
I'd guess the bags not making the flight was a separate issue. I can see the bag that was opened not making the flight because the TSO was delayed by opening it, then finding a bag to put it in after the zipper broke, but if that were the case, your other bag should have made the flight. (It's not like we'd go pull the other bag off the plane so BOTH your bags would be late!)
Have there been cases where airport employees simply put the TSA flyer in to cover his or her tracks?
This is possible. Usually the flyers are just sitting out on our work tables ... they'd be pretty easy to steal if someone had a mind to do it. Other airports might be configured differently (more secure) so I guess it would depend on the setup.
Posts: 6 For those who work at the TSA, why would it be so difficult for you all to have to personally sign/stamp the notices that you put in a bag?
Actually, we did something similar to this at my old airport. We recorded all CTX alarms, including the number on the bag tag and the inspector's initials, so the management could tell which officer went into any bag that was physically inspected.
Once a bag is has been opened, the responsibility for that bag and its contents - regardless of what they are - should become exclusively the TSA's financial liability. There could be a damage exclusion, but missing items from a bag should be 100% TSA once they open a bag.
Well, I have to disagree with this. Airline baggage handlers have the bags after we do, and sometimes before as well (depending on how the airport is configured). So it's possible something could be stolen before or after we go into the bag, and we'd have no way of knowing or preventing it.
TSA would then have its own baggage chain to deliver plane-side bags that it has opened to the flight.
And where would you put this entire separate belt and carousel system? Have you ever been "behind the scenes" in an airport?
Just sayin' ...
An alternative would be to call any passenger whose bag needs to be opened to be present for the inspection. Protects both the TSA and the passenger.
Cumbersome? Yes, but the TSA is not known for efficiency.
That would be a true clusteryou-know-what.
OK, here are a few things you can try. Some airports have CTX machines landside. If you're handing your checked bags over to the TSA, as opposed to leaving them at the ticket counter, you can let the TSO know that you wish to lock your bags after they're inspected. Generally they'll put them through the CTX while you wait, then allow you to lock them before they're put on the belt.
Also, airports generally have a station landside where guns, live animals and sometimes oversized bags can be inspected. If you're supposed to give your checked bags to the ticket agent, you could try asking if you can lock them after they're inspected -- perhaps he/she could direct you to this area to have your bags inspected rather than putting them on the belt.
Good luck, and you do have my sympathy over the loss to/damage of your property.