I have a colostomy and I have found that you can set up special screening ahead of time by contacting the tsa customer relations chief at the airport you're flying out of. Arranging for special screening due to disability might enable you to keep your belongings in sight at all times.

I'm glad that OP got the watch back, and hope that there is something happening behind the scenes as a result.

While you may prefer a private screening, many people do not. I see a private screening as opening up an entirely new set of circumstances which could have just as bad or worse of an outcome.

Most times when my approved medical device results in extra screening at the checkpoint, I am still unable to touch my items and sometimes am unable to see my items.

And the end result in this case may well have been because there was a realization that there were cameras and passengers who could have been witnesses. With a private screening, it isn't the same.

It's a sad day when we bully the disabled into making a special request, in advance, to be able to safely exercise several constitutionally protected rights.

(Especially when it's to poorly guard against a 1 in 3.5 billion risk.)

I am not a political person
 

and neither is my husband, nor are we the types to be activists, but we are Americans who love our country, and what it (used to) stand(s) for.

He travels extensively for work and has benefited from all the valuable information I have gleaned from FT over the years. I have spent the last two days schooling him on the TSA's MO and shenanigans, and he is rightfully horrified and disgusted.

This story MUST make it to the national--and international--media. There is no doubt that a TSA agent stole the watch, and yet we entrust our safety to common criminals. It is is appalling!

When you arrange special screening ahead of time for medical reasons, they seem to hand search your luggage with you in the room. I just flew on Thursday, and the luggage was never out of my view. They seem to like the fact I am arranging for things ahead of time because I have an inhaler and ostomy paste with me at the moment and they would do hand screenig anyway.

And that is my point - they do it in a private room. Other passengers cannot see what is happening, and if something does happen, I suspect that you have little recourse. It is your word against their word. If there is a camera, trying to obtain the footage seems to be very challenging.

Many of us are extremely hesitant to go anywhere with TSA and especially without a witness. I would even go as far as to say that this is bad advice, especially for a single female traveller.

Ask if you can video the process and see what the reaction is.

I think you can ask for a witness of your choice. I haven't done that but it doesn't mean you cannot ask for that.

I'm sure that persistence paid off in this case. I'm also sure that someone working inside Sky Harbor took the watch. Finding out who/when will never happen, IMHO.

I reread the thread and noted the terminal in this case was terminal 2, and that's a real shocker. Of the three terminals at PHX (terminal 1 was torn down ages ago), 2 has always been the best (of a bad airport) for avoiding TSA problems.

My brother and I always throw those bright yellow Flyertalk tags on our carryons - maybe that's why we haven't been hassled as much lately? I think someone in that airport lurks on here and is afraid to see the pax/member rants about problems! Since PHX has free wifi in the terminals, if they hassle us we can get online and let everyone know in mere minutes... steal our laptops and netbooks and we'll just call out to someone online and ready to type. Steal our phones and we'll just use a calling card at a pay phone. Word WILL get out.

Hopefully I won't need to do this on Tuesday or next Tuesday, it's my turn to fly to PHX. Terminal 2, Flyertalk tag, say hello!

Put your Flyertalk tags on, people! (I think they're scared of us :D)

Ask away. Do you really think that many people are going to take the time to witness a screening in a private room for a stranger? Most are going to think that it will take too long, it will put them in an awkward position potentially seeing someone exposed, or that it would put themselves at risk.

Most people have no issue with airport screening as it stands; finding someone who would be willing to be a witness would be a challenge, I suspect.

I do not recommend that any traveller assume that they can easily find a witness in the allotted time.

Again, I think that it is poor advice. You may be fine with it, but it puts people at more potential risk than a public screening at the checkpoint.

Response from TSA PHX
 

Following is the response from the PHX TSA office to my complaint letter :

"I received your email and wanted to respond to your April 3, 2011
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Phoenix-Sky Harbor
concerns. We take your complaint seriously, engaging our Senior
Screening Managers to ensure our processes are conducted accurately and
with consideration for passenger sensitivity. With that goal in mind,
we completed a fact finding investigation and video review of your
families' screening experience at Sky Harbor and found our
Transportation Security Officers (TSO) did not deviate from currently
mandated screening processes. Every person and item must be screened
before entering each secured area, and the way screening is conducted is
important.

Although our TSOs did follow TSA protocol, we nonetheless understand and
regret the distress your family experienced. You mentioned the pat-down
procedure caused significant distress for your mother and you believe
your family "was singled out for preferred treatment". The selection of
passengers for additional screening may appear inconsistent and
arbitrary as you have indicated. The intensive nature of additional
screening also may seem to indicate that an individual is regarded as
high risk or a security threat. Neither impression is accurate.
Whenever a passenger alarms the detection equipment, TSOs must conduct
additional screening to locate and resolve the source of the anomaly.
The resolution pat-down was conducted as required. Likewise, TSOs are
required to be sensitive and considerate, and are trained to explain
what they are doing and what will happen next in the process. This was
certainly a challenge for the officers with respect to the associated
language barrier presented by both your wife and mother.

We also understand your frustration at having lost a valued item at the
checkpoint and were pleased to secure and return your item promptly. I
trust our Found Property personnel were professional in returning your
watch. Additionally, if you still would like to obtain a copy of the
screening video please follow the FOIA request directions below. This
process will provide the means to obtain the video you are requesting."

Get the video. Hopefully it shows what actually happened.

Dear Mr Ex,

It's your fault that you were so careless to leave your watch at the checkpoint. Fortunately we were careful enough to locate it for you, hold it for safekeeping, and ultimately return it to you.

It's a good thing you have us to look after you.

Thank you.
TSA

I also suspect that the first thing the 'witness' would be asked is to provide ID and BP, just for the paperwork TSA has to fill out, of course.

Trump
 

Hey maybe an email blitz to D Trump to run for Pres on an " Eliminate TSA Ticket" would get traction