There has been a lot of talk about how trustworthy the TSA is regarding checked baggages. A couple of days ago, I was traveling from JFK to Hong Kong (Terminal 8 at American Airlines). As I was handing the TSA employee my luggage (checked luggage screening), I noticed in the back another employee opening up another traveller's suitcase. What I saw verified the concerns that I have been hearing on how responsible the TSA actually is.

As employee was going through the suitcase, she found some kind of photo album. Although it was quite far away from me, I could make out that they were 8 x 10 photos of either famous people or models. She slowly flipped through the album as if she was on a break - because she took a long time (at least 3 minutes). To add on top of this, after looking at the album and inspecting more of the bag, she found a very fancy dress in which she took out of the suitcase and looked as if she was sizing it on herself. At this time, I had my digital camera ready and attempted to take a picture - because I am certain this is not within the duties of a TSA inspection. Unfortunately, because I turned off the flash to avoid detection (I think you are not allowed to take pictures of this), the photos later turned out to be fuzzy. Fortunately, the woman folded up the dress and carefully put it back in the middle of the suitcase - where it was originally located and zipped up the bag.

During this time, there were 3 other TSA employees - 2 casually talking to each other and 1 that was receiving luggage. Now, I can understand this if there was not much to do but there was a LOT of luggage to be screened. There was no one else doing manual inspections except that woman.

My hope is that the more people complain to the TSA (which I have already done), perhaps we can get some sweeping changes. My family member lost a watch that was in checked luggage a few months ago - and I am now quite certain that it was lost in a simular type of inspection.