Originally Posted by
bankops
Yes, they can confiscate items not on their list but they need to be security threats. Throwing away paper charts that I also have on my kindle, my pc and maybe even my portable aviation GPS or Electronic flightbag is just plain right up TSA's alley....useless.
No TSA cannot confiscate items. At least not legally.
TSA must give the traveler a choice to give the item to someone else, check it in checked luggage, return it to their car, or mail it to themselves.
The OP had his/her property stolen by a TSA employee. That TSA employee should be charged for theft and tried in a court of law. There can be no tolerance for TSA abuse of the public and it will not stop until these TSA criminals are taken to task.