If you can get the gate pass, take a video camera with you as well.

Just wanted to take a moment to bump this thread.. OP, have you had any luck with the complaint?

Funny that you asked, I was just about to begin typing.

1. I did resend my complaint because no one responded.
today I received the following response:

"We received your complaint on April 3, 2011. The hotline control number
listed above has been assigned to your complaint.
We have reviewed your complaint and determined that the information
contained therein would be more appropriately addressed by the Office of
Inspection, Management Inquiries Unit (MIU). Therefore, we are
forwarding your complaint to the MIU for review."

2. When resending I also e-mailed to the new FSD at PHX and received her reply as well. Pay the attention to the signature! :

" I have received your email outlining your concerns with the screening process your family members received in Phoenix. I have already initiated having the matter looked into and will provide you with a response in the very near future.
Sincerely,
Heather Callahan
Acting Federal Security Director
Transportation Security Administration | PHX
410 N. 44th Street, Suite 300 | Phoenix, Arizona | 85008
( 480-375-2560 Office | 617-285-7614 Mobile
* [email protected]

"Being challenged in life is inevitable. Being defeated is optional." E. Hemingway "


3. Much more astonishing is the development about the Rolex. A day after my e-mail to the new FSD, I received the following :

"First, I would like to apologize for all of your inconvenience and the
unpleasant experience at the checkpoint. We pride ourselves on being a
friendly airport and we hope your next trip through Sky Harbor
International will confirm this.
We would like to FedEx your watch "overnight" to your home at our
expense. If this meets with your approval, would you please send the
address where you would like the watch sent. Once we receive your
mailing information, we will package the watch and have FedEx pick it
up. You will also be sent a FedEx tracking number.
We want to resolve this issue as quickly as possible to your complete
satisfaction.
Sincerely,
Resource Department-Found Property
Transportation Security Administration
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport"

The watch was received 15 minutes ago.

Any idea where the watch was? Did they find that some TSA employee had pocketed the watch.

Mrs. EX and I had an interesting theory bordering on conspiracy. Maybe knowing that they were potentially caught, maybe watching a/the surveillance tape prompted them to find a way to let the watch resurface. Just saying.
I was only told that they found the watch, without being provided with details as to how that happened

I certainly subscribed to that theory!

So glad that you got it back.

I think I would be asking.

If a TSA employee stole the watch I would be filing a criminal complaint. Otherwise they may be there next time and you or someone else may not be as lucky.

Glad you got the watch back ^ but I would still demand (n.b demand) that the TSA @ PHX tell you in specific time verified detail where the watch was found, how the watch was found along with a copy of the surveillance tape* and that if you don't get all of the information you are requesting, you are prepared to go to the media as until you can be shown otherwise, afaic, someone from the TSA stole your watch.


*and no, SSI and all that other national security bullsh!t does not apply afaic as all you want to see what happened to your watch.

What? And give you any clues to track down the thieves? Haven't you even heard of the Blue Wall? Or omerta?

Next time you have to put the watch in the bags. Can you try to do that for me next time. You don't want to risks to steals the watch. You are responsible for that. Be aware of TSA to keep away from the passengers watch.

Got a real puzzler on the Rolex. Here's my solution:
 

1. The Rolex was stolen, but not by a passenger. If it had been a passenger, you would never have got it back.
2. Since the Rolex was not stolen by a passenger, it most likely was stolen by TSA.
3. You sent your complaint off, and word went out that a Rolex was missing.
4. There were only a certain number people working the airport at that time, quite possibly somebody remembered a little old Japanese lady coming through.
5. So the number of suspects started to narrow down rapidly.
6. The watch then was turned in anonymously at the lost and found.
7. Happy ending, and watch thief walks free to steal another watch on another day.

Yes, this is real problems from TSA. They are accused to steals the passengers watch. They are not responsible for those passengers watch at checkpoints. They didn't being caught TSO who took the watch at security. TSA could get arrested for that. They will get disciplinary actions against them. This is not real excused for TSA behaviors at security screening.

This is the most likely scenario, agreed. But maybe some good has come from EXLEFTSEAT making a stink about this. It's possible whoever took the watch felt either guilty or shaken from almost getting caught. This probably (and I know I'm being an optimist here) discouraged the thief, at least to some degree, from stealing in the future.

Very glad you at least got the watch back! :)

Excellent! ^^^