Originally Posted by
Boggie Dog
I would disagree with this statement. A FOIA request would likely not preserve checkpoint video. To much time could elapse before TSA would take any action to protect available video. A complaint to police with a request to preserve all evidence would more likely result in evidence protection.
Originally Posted by
FliesWay2Much
The only way is to call the airport police from where you departed. It's a long shot, but if you rely on the TSA to "help" you, you have zero chance of getting your stuff back.
Pretty close.
In all airports I have had experience with it is not the PD nor TSA that owns the security surveillance video but the actual authority that runs the airport. Specifically, the Operations Department.
So yes, a FOIA request is what is needed but it is made to the jurisdiction and the Operations Department that runs the airport, NOT the TSA or the airport police department.
This is a common request. In general FOIA requests are not terribly complicated but they do need to be quite specific and therefore require some knowledge and careful planning to be sure you request the right information. You might wish to seek the assistance of counsel that has experience in these matters. At the same time I would expect the airport PD and the Ops Dept to be at least a little helpful in explaining to you how to complete the request (because they are very interested in these issues for a whole host of reasons).