Yes, one should put all of their crap inside their bag where it is out of sight of others. It makes things much easier for everyone - especially when collecting their items after come out of the X-ray.

If I see someone other than a TSO who I am interacting with mucking with my stuff I will be going after them. At one checkpoint, where I got stuck on the non-sternal side waiting for a TSO scope and grope my items went though the X-ray. It was taking sometime and I noticed the bin with my laptop get covered. At that point a bin jockey came through and I asked them to retrieve my items as they were no longer in my sight. The TSO gate dragon started to say something and I reiterated their rules and the bin jockey got my items. At this point if I am stuck waiting, my items do not go through the X-ray until I am escorted through for my scope and grope.

I don't recall a reason ever being given by TSA but didn't they disappear shortly after TSA took Stacey Armato hostage.

I think you are correct.

Last year I left my macbook in the bin at Seoul airport and walked off. Returned 30 minutes later when I realized my error, and it was gone. Security staff reviewed the video and showed me the Macbook was stolen by a pregnant Chinese lady who boarded a flight to Honolulu.

I got her photo off the security monitor, called CBP Honolulu, sent them her photo and the macbook serial number, and when she landed in Honolulu they were waiting for her and pulled her into secondary inspection and asked her about the laptop. She initially claimed it was hers and that she had bought it in China, etc. They turned it on and my name comes up of course. She eventually admitted she stole it. CBP seized the laptop and sent it back to me.

I think, but am not sure, that CBP also denied the pregnant lady entry to the USA due to this stunt, thus scuttling her plan to give birth in the USA, which is otherwise allowed.

A lesson I've learned is that when putting my laptop in the tray by myself, I never put it last after all my other stuff. I try to put it in the middle of my trays/stuff.

I am confused by the question but I think you are asking if the two situations are the same (request to wait vs. detention). It is a BIG difference at law that can result in criminal cases being dismissed. At the same time, many courts have ruled that just because a person did not believe she was free to go on her way does not mean she was not free to go on her way at any time and therefore ruled in the government's favor regarding evidence discovered as a result of the stop.

This why it is VERY important for everyone to truly know and understand their rights in regards to searches. Always ask, "Am I being detained? Am I free to leave?" and do so as soon as practicable.

I apologize, I attributed a quote to you when it was made by another poster who said that TSA screeners have the authority to detain.

I believe the highlighted portion of the above quote to be false and based on your comment I think you would agree. So again, sorry for misquoting you.

Exactly! TSA is responsible for this. They've watching the passengers. If you see any suspicious going on. You will stop them and no one told TSA about what happened. If they try to steal from personal items. They will be arrested for that. They could fired from TSA. They will never work for TSA again.

Wow, wow! How it did happen? The lady who stole your laptop? Unreal! I'm so glad you got it back. She could be arrested for that. She could be deported from US.

She was behind me in the line and I forgot the laptop in my tray and then she picked it up and put it in her bag and flew to Honolulu.

Whoops! You gotta be careful. Don't lose your laptop. Next time you put your laptop in the tray and don't let someone take your laptop. Just take it easy.