Not to get in a contest of wills here but the action I observed ended when I stopped, turned and approached the screener.

It is my firm opinion that something was up.

I am exposed to federal inmates daily and one gains some respect for a persons actions even if they may seem innocent. I am also observant and aware of what is going on around me.

Now, as a good citizen I felt the right thing to do was to notify the proper people. I did this through the TSA "Got Feedback" method and I really felt my concern was round-filed. Attempted follow-up did not even get a response over the course of a couple of months until I asked for the FSD contact information.


I don't think proof of a theft is needed when letting the chain of command know that a possible problem exist. It is the lack of concern on the part of these officials that disturbs me more than what happened at the checkpoint. Regardless I would hope that some internal action was taken to at least observe this person covertly. And that was the bottom line, just a warning.

So for my part this is where it ends.

Sadly someone may transit this same airport and if my concerns are correct may depart with property missing. They will have no idea of how it happened.

And the show goes on.

No, Boggie Dog's property might be stolen next week at another airport where sheeple were too scared to say anything. And this screener might steal someone else's stuff if Boggie Dog doesn't speak up.

If the supervisor is doing his job honestly (and there's a number of stories here about supervisors who simply supported the bad behavior of their screeners), it should be up to him. If the screener in question has an exemplary record and this is a one-off complaint, the supe can just shrug it off. If the screener is an honest guy but a bit gung-ho, the supe should remind him not to take bags away without the passenger being able to see what's going on. But if this is the third complaint this week, and other people have accused that screener of taking something but it couldn't be proved, the supe might want to remind the screener of the right process and keep a closer eye on him.

Think of it as "if you see something, say something." :p
The guy actually picked up the bag. It's a bit beyond "hypothetical" and moving towards "stopped in the act." And there's no (zero, none, zip, nada) evidence that TSA goes after screeners who have actually been caught stealing, mostly because TSA denies that screeners ever steal anything, so there's not much risk of slowing down those investigations.
Please let us know what, other than TSORon suggesting they probably left it at home, :rolleyes: TSA is doing about that actual theft. Hint: trying blaming the baggage handlers. :td:
And when the supe says, "How can you prove you had a camera in there? You probably left it at home or put it in your checked bag. Please move along, you're holding up the line." what do you suggest? For heaven's sake, the whole attitude of TSA is to act on the slightest hint of anything to prevent planes going down, but when it comes to theft from bags, you suggest we don't do anything until it actually happens and then try to get someone to admit to it? Why not let me through with my ticking Acme time-bomb and then, if the plane goes down, you can charge me with something?
Not much of a stretch.
The screener actually picked up Boggie Dog's wife's bag. It moved past "thought about it" at that point. I'm pretty sure that if you came in, saw me with my hands on Kip's back and starting to push, and I stopped when I saw you, you'd go tell someone about it. And I haven't seen Boggie Dog calling for the guy to be locked up, just asking someone to look into it.
Seen it. Made me think of BDOs. And screeners who think they are.