Let me start by agreeing with your statement that both TSA people and baggage handlers have been caught stealing.

1) Should the finger never point at the TSA? Too many of your colleagues say "It couldn't possibly be us." The TSA needs to shoulder its share of the blame.

2) TSA's share of the blame is more than half - much more. Even when it's a baggage handler who actually committed the theft, it was facilitated by several TSA policies.

First, by TSA policy, checked bags are either unlocked, cable-tied, locked with flimsy TSA locks (the keys to which are available to thousands of people), or have real locks which TSA is allowed to break off. TSA removes locks and forgets to replace them. In pre-TSA times, we could lock our bags properly.

Second, in most airports, TSA x-rays the bags in the so-called secure area. There must be set-ups where the baggage handlers can catch a glimpse of what's on the x-ray, identify a likely bag, and then access it later. There is also scope for TSA staff and baggage handlers to cooperate in identifying and opening bags.

Third, TSA doesn't screen every person who enters or leaves the so-called secure area every time they enter or leave. This makes it possible for a baggage handler to take stuff out without scrutiny. It also makes it possible for the bad bad baggage handlers that are stealing all this stuff to put drugs or guns or a bomb INTO a bag after its been checked, without TSA knowing. Why doesn't TSA get that?? Yeah, the airport workers and TSA people had background checks, including the ones that you and I agree have been caught stealing. Big deal.

Fourth, due to the liquid restrictions, many people have to check bags when they might have carried on before. We're told to check anything "unusual" that might get confiscated by an over-eager TSA screener. More bags is more opportunity.

Finally, it appears that TSA policy will not allow video surveillance of the baggage inspection and handling areas; the claim that it is too expensive is absurd, as a whole airport could be fitted with video gear for less than the cost of one nude-o-scope. I'm guessing the real reason is that TSA just don't want the scrutiny.

Bottom line, even if every theft were physically done by the baggage handlers, TSA policy is helping them.

3) There are some people here who say they lost stuff before TSA and it's no different now. But for every one with that view, I've heard 5 or 10 people say that it's much worse than it was. Did baggage handlers suddenly become more criminal when TSA started, or is it more likely that TSA is contributing to the increase, either directly or through their policies?