And that’s the kind of response I expect as a “lowly silver”. It is not surprising that a gold elite expects NWA to treat him/her with “some kind of royalty”. I did not: I consider flying simply as a means of transportation. So long as the airline get me to the destination, I don’t care whether I’m a silver or nothing. To have a luggage arrive in one piece is not asking “some kind of royalty”: it is a reasonable expectation even for a non-elite flyer.

Maybe it’s true for some other U.S. airports that TSA will still inspect your bag even though it’s the final destination and not transiting. That’s not the case for Chicago. Once I see my bags coming from the baggage carousel, I claim them and clear customs. What’s next? Hop on a cab in terminal 5 and get home! In my case, UA has the advantage simply because they fly into ORD from overseas directly: meaning I never have to deal with airport security and TSA. In other words (and this apply only to an international flight to ORD):

Fly NWA = TSA = damaged bag
Fly UA = no TSA = bag in one piece

Blame TSA? Based on phone calls to TSA and the TSA note that I received in my damaged luggage, TSA has the authority by law to inspect all bags. TSA can also break locks if necessary and is non-liable to make compensation for damages. The key question should be: who locked my bags? If I locked my bags then I would take responsibility. But the fact was that someone from NWA in HKG/NRT locked my bag after I checked-in. In other words:

TSA DAMAGED MY LUGGAGE BECAUSE NWA LOCKED MY BAG!

That’s enough for a “lowly silver” to make the case. I am done with NWA, FOREVER!