I know that praise for the TSA is unfashionable but I feel compelled to relate this story which is a very positive TSA action, though I did not realize it was part of their responsibilities.

On a weekly Transcon from ORD the UA FA asked me if I was Mr. Paolo. I said yes and she handed me an 'in flight fax'. The fax simply stated "ATTN FLT CREW: PLEASE INFORM PAX PAOLO SEAT 1B THAT HE LEFT HIS PERSONAL ITEMS AT THE ORD TSA CHECKPOINT. SHOULD CONTACT TSA AT xxx xxx xxxx. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE. THANX"

I called the number upon landing and TSA immediately offered several options to arrange delivery of my item. I ended up simply picking it up on my return through ORD and was amazed to see the quantity of stuff at the TSA Customer Service/ Lost and Found.

I received my item, which had been methodically accounted for and receipted. There was a note in the plastic baggie my item was stored in referring the person handling it that there was an additional item from the original which was stored in the safe. A quick ID Check (I know you all are groaning now) and both were turned back to me after I signed the receipts.

Big thumbs up to TSA. Thank you. ^

On the contrary ... that's a situation in which an ID check is perfectly appropriate. I would hope that TSA wouldn't blindly turn over your items to just anyone walking up and saying "Hi, I'm Paolo01".

Agreed. Nice job by ORD TSA on this one.

You would be surprised at the stuff left behind at the checkpoint. We always have people paiged over the intercom, sadly so many people do not come back, even if we have thei name.

We do mail and hold items for many people. each week people come to our coordination center to pick items up. Part of the duties of the STSO at the end of each shift is to inventory and tag each item. Each week, if I had to do an unofficial average, we mail maybe 20 or so drivers license back to people.

Why couldn't something simular be done for items with value when found at checkpoints?

Yes it would be more work but the payoff in customer goodwill would in my opinion be worth it.

Multiplied by how many facilities and weeks per year?

Yet another hidden cost of an ID check -- to what benefit?

I've never seen a TSO compare my DL name against any list, and almost any 9 year old can expertly forge a matching boarding pass at home.

Ever item at checkpoint is taged and IDed. But what if we don't have a name to it?

I can tell you that on one occasion I have gone onto te plane just before take-off to give someone back their property.

I'll repeat this: soooo man time we have it announced that property is left at the checkpoint, such as a watch. Many people do not come back, and these items docnot have names on them.

To the OP's story: ^ to the TSA for doing that.

To SATTSO: Out of curiosity, what's the most valuable item you know of that the SAT TSA has held?

My particular item was not a Drivers License and I am guessing that the TSA agents who handled my item actually had to do a bit of work to track down the flight that I was on and contact me. Great work in my book ^

Hmmm...I know people feel that the ID check is supurfluous (I have never understood that argument), but the 12yo's and below that I know could never forge a boarding pass that would get you onto an airplane.

Guys, I am very serious that the lost and found room at ORD was very large and all items appeared to be maticulously documented and cataloged. Good on TSA. ^ I had thought that this was an airport responsibility.

A huge diamond engagement ring - sad thing is it would not have set off the WTMD. Pax got it back later.

I wasn't finding fault but suggesting that TSA could make up some ground if some type of checkpoint procedured allowed for a person to leave an item and then later collect their valuables if the item cannot go through the checkpoint.

What happened in your case was great.

But for someone to have to surrender say a small pocket knife handed down from ancestors is not so great. How hard would it be to hold the item until claimed?

I just feel that other options should be available for those people who cannot get an item checked, returned to their car or handed off to a friend.

credit is due when credit is due....^^^ to the tsa folks at ord. well done

^ to United as well for presumably being the ones responsible for carrying the message. I'm assuming they used ACARS, which isn't cheap, AFAIK.

You bring up a good point. At MKE, there are key lockers in the sterile areas of the concourse but none in the public areas. My guess is that it is too much a liability in the public areas and the same reason would probably apply to TSA holding the item(s). As for the heirloom knife, mail it to your home address.