Originally Posted by
onlyairfare
In defense of some police officers, I report my screening experience at FLG just before New Year's Eve.
The TSO spotted my gifts of valuable Navajo jewelry I was carrying home, and announced she had to re-screen my "suspicious items" - 2 jewelry boxes and my wallet. I believe her intent was to steal them once they were out of my sight behind the X-ray.
I asked the police officer standing at the CP if he would please supervise the process to protect me from having my family's Christmas gifts stolen. He watched her closely through each step and when the bin came out of the X-ray, he made her bring me the bin and my suitcase so I could check to be sure all my items were there, which they were.
I thanked the officer and sent an email to the Chief of Police commending the officer for his diligence. At least some police officers are willing to protect the pax from TSA transgressions.
We need legitimate law enforcement presence available to us at checkpoints in order to keep the TSA from getting any worse. Over the last few months, we've seen local police realize that "unquestioningly providing backup" to the TSA is not their legitimate role. We've seen the local police forces take back a measure of their honor and integrity. This is as it should be.
I don't want to see the TSA permitted to run wild at checkpoints. The agency and their employees have shown they are unfit for that degree of responsibility.