Has anyone else had a similar experience?
 

I was recently going through the TSA security at an airport in the Central US. When I sent my computer bag through the x-ray they found something and wanted to search it. The TSA officer pulled a steak knife out of my bag and I think they put it in there. Before my bag went through the x-ray machine one of their officers re adjusted my bag on the feeder belt and I think he put it in there at that point. After they pulled it out of my bag they messured it and said if was less than four inches long so they didn't have to arrest me. They gave me my bag back and said I could go without even looking at my ID or boarding pass or anything. I'm just currious if anyone else has experienced this. I'm not real happy about it and it sure did ruin my day.

Welcome to FT.

I've never had anything like that happen, however I would've reported right then. I do not put anything past these people.

Seems a near impossible situation to prove. Even IF a camera was looking that way and IF you can somehow get the footage it would be easy to do such a thing and not be seen.

Personally I have a real problem with them touching my stuff at all. There is no need for it in most cases.

I firgure they had two chances to put it in there. First when the guy re-adjusted my bag on the belt just before it went in to the ex-ray. Second when the TSA officer stuck her hand in my bag she could have had it inside her arm sleeve and dropped it in my bag just to pick it right back up.

You really need to watch your things close and keep your bags closed up when you put them on the belt.

Let me add my welcome to FT,

Coachrowsey is correct, I would not put anything past them indeed, TSO's have to be the lowest form of life there is in the TSA:td:, smurfs with tin badges, the majority of whom could probably not get a job anywhere outside of McDonalds or Burger King, etc, except of course with the TSA.

A close second is management who give us the window dressing, hassle filled, circus that we have today and that the smurfs use to abuse the flying public.

As you explore FT, esp Travel safety/security you will find there are some TSO's who post infrequently, that seem to know what they are talking about and really try to do a good job, THEN of course we have TSORon on the opposite end of all this, but you should discover Ronnie for yourself, the entertainment value of his posts are fantastic:D and will either have you rolling in the aisles laughing your a** off or shaking your head in disbelief that even by TSA's standards they would employ something like this, thats if Ronnie is even employed with them.

See you on the forum:)

Even for the TSA that is not normal behavior.

Deleted

Double posting

Usually, the problem with TSA is trying to remove items, not add them.

Wouldn't be surprised if it was put in there to test themselves. Several years ago, TSAers at Newark planted a fake bomb, then lost it.

Personally, if the words they used were "have you arrested" I would have asked if they were cops. If they said yes, that's when the fun would really begin.

But I'm not surprised about the attitude from them.

Speaking of planting stuff then losing it...what ever became of the drugs that were planted as part of an exercise and lost a while back? Wasn't it Asia? I can't recall.

I recently started zip-tying my backpack and carry-on bag pockets prior to hitting the TSA C/P. Have received a couple of dirty looks, but no comments, as of yet. We will see what happens when I go through BWI C this weekend, followed by STL A on Thursday.

I do that too. Also with checked baggage as more of an indicator someone has been in it more than security. So far I haven't been bothered about it but even though I always ask for hand check of myself since I won't remove my shoes my luggage never draws much attention thankfully.

Hey, enuf of the TSOWrong bashing. After careful consideration and three beers, I have come to the conclusion that Ron and his kind perform a valuable public service. If not for their efforts to continuously inhale with great vigor, we would all be permanently knee deep in Kool-Aid. Next time you enjoy the checkpoint experience and remove your shoes to prove your name is not Richard Reid, remember that the only reason you are not looking at wrinkled purple feet is the Kool-Aid drinking capacity of folks like Ron. :p

Great idea!

I am going to start using wire ties to lock down some of the compartments in my carry-on.

I don't have to fly anywhere in the short term, but have SDF-ATL-SNA / SNA-ATL-SDF coming up in two weeks.

another benefit of locking/zip-tying your bag
 

I, too started locking my laptop bag zippers together prior to going through security. An interesting benefit is that the number of "bag checks" I have to endure has dropped from one out of every 5-6 trips prior to locking my bag to zero after locking it. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Thanks for the tips, guys! Sounds like a *FANTASTIC* idea, to me.