Agreed. Drives me crazy when the TSOs get upset that I want my luggage in my site at all times. And frankly, it protects them just as much as it does me.

Mike

I still haven't seen an explanation from TSA saying why their great and powerful BDO program seems unable to identify TSA Thieves.

Last time, I changed up the way I handle this situation (which comes up almost every time I fly.) Usually I say "I have to be able to see my things" and then start toward them if they give any pushback or don't indicate they are going to be bringing them into my sight line.

This time I said: "I'm not allowed to let those out of my sight." I didn't get any argument. I'm sure I will sooner or sooner, but really, what would be a good argument for that?

There's no rule against locking your carry on bag. I do it every time I fly and I've not been hassled. Actually, no one has searched the bag since I've started locking it, even if I've opted out. Anyway, it's the only way I can make sure I'm present if they are going to call a bag search, because like Chollie, I've had TSA employees start rooting around without even identifying the bag and allowing the owner to watch. I'll be darned if my trip ends before it starts because someone stole my cash, credit, passport, laptop, etc.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.5.0.138 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

You're carrying sensitive government information..or attorney/client information ... or medical information protected by HIPPA. Any should work. I wouldn't use the term "classified" because they might ask you to produce a courier letter. Besides, nobody carrying classified is going to admit it in public.

Interesting that Drudge no longer seems to pick up stories of TSA theft and pax abuse. When the pax had to fly covered in his own urine first time, it was big news, second time, only local coverage. Maybe it's because there has been so much abuse and so many thefts that they are considered routine and not news?

Standard counter-argument applies. TSA thieves aren't a threat to the safety of commercial air travel. TSA's mission, which includes the BDO program, is focused on the safety of commercial air travel. Ergo, the BDO program isn't designed to find TSA thieves. QED.

Other than that droning message overhead that says "Do not leave your personal items unattended"?

Remember in the spy movies, where sometimes an agent travelled with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist?

^

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.5.0.138 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

In some cases, that was not too far from the truth. If you handcarried anything, the stuff felt like it was chained to your wrist because all you wanted to do was get rid of it at the secure facility once you landed.

This must stop accused to stealing the personal items from checkpoints. Leave the personal items alone! He could go to jail for that. That is first-degree misdemeanor felony. He won't be work for TSA anymore for rest his miserable life.

No one ever who being caught the personal items, jewelry, cash, iPads and etc. Leave them alone! TSA behavior that does not changes at all. IF you see TSO who touching the bags at checkpoint. You will being caught. You could be arrested for that. End of story, period! This is zero tolerance policy!

That's because the checkpoints don't have mirrors.

Co-incidently, I've had the same experience. I used to get a bag search about once out of every 4 trips. I started locking my bag around 3 years ago and haven't had a bag search since. My working theory is that a locked bag is less likely to attract a TSA thief than an unlocked one.

I don't think most of these thefts that take place at the checkpoint are done as your bag goes through the x-ray. So I don't think the lock is going to do much.

I think most of the checkpoint thefts take place during the bag search, while you are standing there. They put their back to you and the camera and tell you to "stand back."

I think it is a wise idea to say, "Hey, I'll stand back but can't I see what you are doing? I need to watch my belongings." If another officer is patting you down inform them to wait until one screening process is done before starting another. If they give you difficultly about doing any of this ask to bring over a supervisor. Simply explain you want to watch your bag.

Yes. I understand that a lot of these people will cause issues and be difficult with you over this. But it is still better than doing nothing.

I would be most concerned with the things in your pockets. If you place them in the tray they are more likely to disappear. If they are in you pockets during a patdown they will be handled by the TSA and possibly run through the x-ray by them. I would empty your pockets into you bag and hold cash in hand.

Just how many Spokesholes does the TSA have employed?

Seriously -- anyone have a number?