Good comments all! About TSA: my understanding is they do screen every piece of checked luggage but they only open about every fifth or sixth bag -- ON AVERAGE (either something unusual pops up on their screen or a random check). This is what Logan's TSA rep told me. Of course it may vary for other airports. Reporting: I reported the missing laptop on the next business day to my employer. The IT dept told me it had no data on it only the usual programs such as Microsoft Office. So far as honesty goes: well I try to live my life as honestly as I can; I am not interested in receiving anything of personal benefit; I simply want to get the best financial outcome for the government. A brand new laptop today (and this one was a Dell from June 2001) --- on the low end of the market would probably be $500-1000 --- although you can certainly spend more! So far as the federal limit of liability of $2800 per bag; my understanding is there are no federal law limitations on the type of checked luggage. My question to you is whether it is worth it to file in small claims court. American would claim its "conditions of carriage" preclude coverage for laptops and other valuable items; but is that my best option? Thanks , in advance, for your comments! Arthur