Actually, I agree with all your points. However, I was only semi-tongue in cheek when I said I don't think TSA denies responsibility. They go further - I think they frequently point out to us specific ways in which we have caused or contributed to problems.

By 'changing/undocumented rules', I meant the discrepancy between what is documented on the website and what takes place at the checkpoints or in the baggage areas, as well as the differences in interpretation from airport to airport and even from screener to screener. I also try to keep up with changes, but I can't keep up with undocumented requirements and the varying ways in which they are interpreted. I get so tired of TSA posts here and on the TSA blog that blame the pax for not "going to the website and reading the rules and following them'. Yeah, right.


And no, none of this EVER justifies harassment of PAX or their belongings in any way. We are in complete agreement on that.

I had a feeling we were "all good" in our points of agreement/disagreement; just had a little trouble reading thru the semi-tongues-in-cheek, was all.

But the issue has been getting mainstream exposure. Even CE points this out in his usual trailing-edge timeframe:
Other half-baked assertions sputtered by the witless Mr. E:

Let's address each of the TSA's "steps" to discourage screener thievery:

1) Background checks. We already have enough reports, documented in this forum with news links, that criminal history checks were not conducted consistently (across stations) or in a timely manner in the early-going of this agency. 2) Video surveillance. Are the cameras on and rolling everyday, and that tapes functioning properly? Who ensures this? And who reviews the tapes? How long after the footage is captured? Are all tapes reviewed?

3) Forbidding backpacks and lunchboxes at checkpoints. What about at CPX stations, Mr. Elliott, most of which are located far from pax sight (and even supervisory oversight)?

If 200 screeners have actually been dismissed for theft, how many counts of stealing are left unaccounted for? If more than one, either airline baggage handlers are to blame or more TSA personnel have yet to be caught.

Interesting tidbit. Thanks for brining it to our attention.

Absent of evidence this really isn't a credible claim. The finger-pointing has got to stop with the agency responsible for the policy on unlocked luggage.

Speaking of this treacherous policy, check out the sidebar of Elliott's column -- same link the OP provided, about half way down the page or search for this heading: Discuss: Has the TSA stolen from you? Here's the penultimate paragraph:

I didn't follow the link, so I guess you got that figure from it... How many TSA employees are there? Is 200/(the total number) a big/small number compared to other jobs in similar position of power (like Customs agents)?

Some interesting responses on there. I particularly like the flag waver who is OUTRAGED.......... not that people are being ripped off but that someone might suggest that the TSA could be responsible.....

Hmmmm...no argument here.

Has anyone tried the recommended tactic for opening locked luggage? Is it really that easy and does it really re-zip/lock that easily?

Pretty scary in "security" terms, but may be handy in another context.

from: Christopher Elliott <[email protected]>
[email protected],

date: Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 4:30 PM
subject: Re: Theft by TSA - I'm a TSO at SEA.
mailed-bygmail.com

hide details 4:30 PM (5 hours ago) Reply


Ms. @@@@@, thank you for taking the time to write. You make a very
valid point. I appreciate it.

Chris


--
Christopher Elliott
Blogger/syndicated columnist/TV host



[email protected],

date: Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 12:49 PM
subject: Theft by TSA - I'm a TSO at SEA.
mailed-bygmail.com

hide details 12:49 PM (9 hours ago) Reply


Mr Elliott,

I am a TSO at Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Do you know how many people leave behind items in the bins as they hurry through security? How many of these people that are missing things that they put in bins call the airport lost and found? We turn in rings, glasses, laptops, umbrella's, camcorders, jackets, medication, wallets, keys, cell phones, purses and whole carry on bags. How about a study on airport lost and found? How many items that are never claimed there being blamed on a TSO when you go through security? We even had a gentlemen walk away without his shoes, he came back for them 15 minuets later after his feet became cold. Do you know that it's not necessary to remove rings and glasses but people do it. When I see men place their wallets in bins I tell them to remove all metal from them and put them back in their pockets. If they have a money clip attached to the wallet I tell them to remove the cash before sending it through. People pull money clips out of their pockets that are full of cash thinking nothing of tossing it in the bin. When I see people doing things that put them at risk of losing their items from theft I educate them. Theft also comes in the form of their fellow flying public. It's so easy for the person in front of you or behind you if you are delayed to snag something from your bin. We even tracked down one passenger who took his laptop and the person's behind him. My favorite is after a passenger has finished packing up their items then blames us for their missing purse, glasses, wallet, boarding pass, cell phone, ipod....you get the idea here. First they start off by yelling that we stold the item. Never does anyone think that they already put it in their bag on their shoulder in their pocket, on top of their head or never took it out of their pocket to begin with. After listening to someone yelling at you, accusing you of stealing their purse it's hard to not make a mean comment as you point out that it's resting on their shoulder. Most people are so embarrassed by their behavior that they leave as quickly as possible never apologizing for the false accusation. When a passenger can't find an item after he's packed back up we can run the items back through the x-ray and find them in the jacket or bags. Folks are in such a hurry that they don't remember placing them in the bag before putting them in the x-ray or forgot they already put them away. If you want to know how to get through security fast, easy and safe the best person to ask is a TSO because we've seen and heard it all.

TSO/SEA

By the TSA's own admission, there have been about double this number who have been caught stealing from luggage. I don't have the time to look it up, but this figure was released by an official Spokeshole during a particularly eggregious theft arrest last summer. The number he quoted was in the high 300's -- 10 months ago.

Too late and too bad. Thanks to your thieving thief co-workers, I will always suspect you of being a thief.

Clearly the TSA person who wrote the above letter to Elliott brings up some good points. I do not doubt that there are people who leave behind many things at checkpoints and automatically assume that someone stole them. But what irritates me about this particular letter writer is that they won't even acknowledge the possibility that there they have fellow employees stealing stuff. It gives them all a black eye, and hence the accusations of theft. Out of all of the cases where a PAX claims something was stolen at a security checkpoint, I'd grant that probably at least 25% of them are cases where the PAX is being an idiot and simply forgets something, another 25% are probably cases where other PAX are stealing. To me, that leaves another 50% where we're dealing with sticky-fingered TSA employees.

Yeah. I've been searched in China. Not only do you have to be present, you open the bag and show them whatever it is that's confusing the x-ray guys. They never handled anything other than the objects in question.

Sometimes people forget and sometimes it's other passengers. But TSA procedures make both options more likely.

When you're juggling BP/ID, retrieving your shoes, Kip Zip, laptop, coat, carry-on bag, keys/coins/wallet/watch, and trying to put it all back together, while being yelled at to move along, it's easy to forget something or for someone to (accidentally/purposefully) take your stuff.

Last time through LAX the screener grabbed my handbag, with a digital camera, Palm computer, mobile phone and jewelry in it (as well as, you know, a wallet and credit cards) as it came out of the x-ray and said "need to send this through again." At least, I think that's what he said because he was walking away with it at the time. I had to keep an eye on him and collect my other stuff at the same time.

When you're getting a secondary and your bins are at the far end of the rollers, it's easy for someone to grab things. Another time through LAX (boy, I hate that airport!) Mr Radioman and I both got secondaries; when I finished first I picked up his wallet, watch and keys from the bin. No one questioned me or even noticed.

Here in Aus for domestic flights, I take the laptop out. No stupid sock hop, no stupid liquids baggies, my coat can stay on. On the other side, I pick up laptop, bag and purse, put the first in the second, and I'm off. Seems to be as successful as TSA's policies in preventing an attack....

Sure, just like all Catholic priests and Boy Scout leaders should be suspected of being pedophiles.