Opinionstrader - Your recap certainly covers all the bases. I think the one statement I found surprising, although given my experience with airport security, in hindsight it again shows my naivety.

You make the statement that "What they said is that TSA randomly checks about every fifth or sixth bag (of checked luggage) and if they had opened it and checked it and it was lost then I could file a claim with TSA."

After having been arrested at LAX shortly before my departure, and twice suggesting my bag be removed from the plane, I was advised that it was being taken care of. In fact the bag went on to NY without me. As in my judgement I felt that such action was a serious breach of security (Does the arrest of a passenger, shortly before a departure constitute "unusual behavior" - ORANGE ALERT?) I brought it to the attention of the powers that be. I guess the "brane" trust felt otherwise.

I wrote Homeland Security and the airline, and was advised, although for the moment I forget if both or one advised me, that it was not an issue, as all bags are screened.

I may be old fashioned but I feel, and it is only my opinion, that "every fifth or six bag" is not the same as "all bags".

At any rate, government property was misplaced, and therefore a crime may have been committed, and I stand by my statement that this should be reported to the appropriate Federal agency, probably the FBI. To make matters more complicated, you may very well have an obligation to advise the government of the misplacing of their property, otherwise you might be in voilation of some law and subject to prosecution.

Imagine the machine turning up, and based on the serial number it is returned to a government agency which then checks that it was provided to the division you work for. Now your division may have records that indicate the machine was "signed out to you", and you were silent on the matter! And by your own admission it is a Government machine in your possession, or at least was in your possession. Remember, Flyer talk threads and posts, like all communications can be accessed bu US security organizations. But then this is a small sacrifice to help you (us) on the war on terrorism. Therefore it would be even more difficult for you to back away from statements you have already made on this site.

Playing devil's advocate for a moment -

1) How do we know you put the computer in your checked bag?
2) How can you substantiate that the ticket agent advised you it was okay?
3) How do we know there was no Government information on the machine, without the machine?
4) Etc, etc.

While I am sure the authorities would believe you had the machine, they may very well not believe your subequent statements. The criminal mind is very devious.

In my view the only solice you can take from this is be honest, be true to yourself, and subject yourself to the vagaries of the system.