thanks to all that have responded.. i called united and told them of what happened, and the person from the baggage office told me that they will investigate what happened. I asked if hey had cameras in the back where this was most likely done, and they told me that everyone knows where the cameras are, so they most likely know where the blind spots are as well..

As was already mentioned with employees leaving with bags..

I don't understand why these employees should be allowed to have anymore privacy than the travelers.. we're all practically stripped down, even scanned now, just short of getting the glove..

Occassionally i stay at Casino Hotels, and i noticed the female employees there have to have clear purses so contents can be seen..

Cheers..

In many retail stores, employees are allowed to bring bags into the stores, but management has the right to search the bags when the employee is leaving.

Mr. Kipper had several packs of mini cigars stolen from his luggage on a flight from LAS to MDT, via IAD. No idea of when they were stolen, but they removed the carton from the main part of his suitcase and stuffed it into an outside pocket after removing several packs. I pushed to file a complaint, but he decided it wasn't worth it. My suggestion to him was that on his next flight, he take tape and wrap the opened carton with loads of tape. I figured that if they're going to steal, he should at least make a bit more difficult for them.

Or they did it right in front of the cameras and arranged for the tape to be "lost," as TSA employees have been doing for years.

I flew SBA-LAX-JFK in February. Put my point-and-shoot camera in my checked bag (foolishly) because I didn't want the extra weight in my carry-on bag. Couldn't find camera or cable/charger when I unpacked, thought maybe I'd mistakenly left it all behind.

Saw an item in the NY Post about arrests of baggage handlers at JFK a few days later, made me wonder. Upon return to CA, I searched thoroughly; no camera.

Googled the topic of baggage theft and found an article stating that there is fine print that disclaims airport and airline responsibility for a number of items, including computers and cameras. So I assume I have no recourse. (I've noted mention on this thread of Amex replacement, but the camera was more than a year old.)

So at a time when the airlines are increasingly restricting carry-ons, I have to consider the possibility of theft with every item I put in my checked bag. Is anyone doing anything about this or are we consigned to a Kafka-esque world here?

Greetings to all, I recently had been contacted by United, and they appologized for my trouble at ORD, and ultimately had emailed me vouchers to reimburse me for the trouble.

I think it is a very nice gesture, given they really didn't have to do anything.

Not sure that they ever discovered who their theives are, but hopefully they'll at least look into it..

as a lesson learned, note to self, carry on anything you don't wish to be stolen.

Safe Travels!

Cepuras

I am happy you received compensation. At least the airline acknowledges that the problem exists.

I use federal law to prevent the smurfs from stealing from my checked luggage. I fly with "firearms" (flare guns) packed in my luggage. This is fully legal in all 50 states and in some cases, overseas.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16372586-post12.html

I think the light fingered thieves know fully well which bags have something worth stealing. My sister flies all over the US often for her work. Her checked bags were never opened - perhaps because all they contained were some clothes and papers and chargers only.

The one time she flew for a wedding and placed a small pouch with jewellery in the checked bag, she found on reaching her destination that the TSA approved lock had been removed altogether and the bag had been given a quick once over. They did not find the jewellery which was in the folds of some clothing so obviously it was a quick turn everything over search. If they had found it - the jewellery was all artificial and total cost was barely thirty dollars. But this gave us a clue that anything of value in a checked bag can be quickly identified by the scans and if the thieves want it they will search for it.

This sounds like a good idea, how do they know you have a firearm in your luggage, is there any tag on the outside or a sticker on the luggage that federal law requires you be present if your luggage has to be opened for inspection.

Mr. Elliott

Federal regulations require that within the USA, no tags or stickers regarding firearms can be affixed to your luggage. The luggage scanners will show the firearm in the luggage.

What keeps them out of your luggage is strong hinges and strong locks. I use Abloy brand locks. ($30-300 depending on model) The TSA "approved" locks can often be broken with no tools at all.

Does that mean that if the TSA opens your luggage without you being present, they are violating federal regulations and could there be an investigation by the local police department if you have proof someone opened your luggage.

I personally have seen at the TSA luggage scanner in the public area in AA�s terminal in LGA the screener just glance at the screen when something alarms and that item is shown in red, they did not look carefully at the screen looking for anything else, so they just grabbed the luggage off of the machine and took to their inspection station and opened it. So if there was a weapon it the luggage, they would not have spotted it until they opened the luggage.

Mr. Elliott

Yes, they would be violating FAR 1544.293. I'm not sure if the local police would do the investigation or some other agency.

This is why you have hard sided luggage with strong hinges and strong locks... they can't "just open it". Once the check-in process has been completed and the bag has been locked, no one is allowed to unlock the bag (or even possess the key or combination) outside of your presence. I've seen evidence where they have TRIED to open my luggage, and failed.

I got the idea from this guy: http://deviating.net/firearms/packing/ There is a lot of very good information on his site.