This definitely sucks, and I can offer no advice on reparations (besides the likelihood that TSA won't care). But... next time, if you are willing to do so, I recommend carrying the poster tube on the plane, NOT checking it. Almost every airline will let you take a poster tube as carry-on, even though it does technically violate the linear measurement restriction. I've never received any admonitions from the airline (United, in my case) when carrying on a poster tube, which I've done my fair share of times. (These days I'm just too lazy and I make PowerPoint 8.5x11 "montage" posters... much easier to carry on, though a big hassle to actually put up. I feel somewhat ashamed for not caring about how visually attractive my poster is, but I'm saving my grant $120+ each time and saving myself the hassle of a poster tube, so I've learned to live with my shame.)