I just got back from a PDX-EWR-DCA flight on CO & the TSA flagged me at check-in (they informed me of this when I was checking in a TSA agent put pink laminated bag-tags on my checked luggage & told the check-in agent that my bags needed to be hand searched). This was okay by my - I left my bags unlocked for this reason. I checked my luggage and when I got to home the other day, I didn't have time to unpack so I just got to my bags today. I was backpacking in Oregon & because I had a backpack, I also have a "cover sack" for my backpack when I fly - this prevents the straps, etc., from getting caught and torn off in the conveyor belts. The TSA went through my stuff & didn't repack it carefully. I had a kite (flying the kite over the Pacific Ocean - great wind) with a spool. The spool was wrapped in a fleece on the way out and on the way back, it wasn't even in the main pack, it was in the coversack - with the spool being cracked. Also, my coversack had its zippers "locked" with a zip-strip by the TSA - in doing this, they pulled it too tight & completely tore out the zipper from my bag!

Has anyone been successful in filing a claim with the TSA? I'm going to tomorrow morning - it's ridiculous. I feel that the TSA actions are more for show than anything else.

I'm pretty peeved right now - I read the article about the kid that's getting arrested for not having a bomb in his bag (http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/214/metro/Teen_arrested_at_Logan_for_alleged_bomb_threat_in_ his_bag-.shtml) - That's ridiculous - I can definitely respect that kid.

I hope you get back at them!!

File the claim and let us know.

I am sick of those Ignorant, Arrogant and Uncourteous TSA's!!!!

I fly over 150,000 miles per year and the thought of having to interact with them just revolves my stomach.

They have gone through my bacgs quite often. I am grateful ta say they've never damaged any of my stuff. I am very careful in my packing. They have no regard for the belongings of those who travel and pay for their livelyhoods.

Even in these forums, we have had screeners who have let themselves be known to live to have fun at our expense.

[DELETED BY THE MODERATOR]

You get your stuff replaced and go for it !!!!!

[This message has been edited by richard (edited 08-09-2003).]

I've given up on my USD 50 claim... They have sat on it and refuse to answer any questions other than telling me I've down something wrong with the older claim and to resubmit (3rd time).

I wish the GAO would open up their eyes to the lack of response from the TSA to most claims. No matter what nasty things people say about the IRS being unresponsive, the TSA takes the cake.

I believe some people here have had success working through their congressperson.

Hey LatAmCommuter, I understand that sarcasm does not come across well on these sites, but if you REALLY want to get your hands on me, you will have to let me search your bags first. Maybe I can make a few bucks off of you too. Ya see...sarcasm does not come across very well.

------------------
"Be the inferior of no man, nor be the superior. Remember that every man is a variation of yourself. No man's guilt is not yours, nor is any man's innocence a thing apart." William Saroyan, American Playwright

There's much too much angry ranting around these parts. And stop getting personal with TUS, he's a friendly fellow.

All we ask is a little courtesy and common sense!!!!

LatAmCommuter, back off. No threats and personal attacks are permitted on FT.

I have deleted those posts of yours which is a step I rarely take.

--richard, moderator

File a simultaneous claim with the airline before leaving the airport. You handed them the bag and it came back to you not intact.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm


[This message has been edited by AllanJ (edited 08-09-2003).]

Some very good advice... my carrier is replacing the 4 locks cut off my luggage on my most recent trip. For the record, none of the bags were locked - the TSA was too d@mn lazy to check before cutting them off.

I think its too late to do so, but I will check in on that - I didn't notice til I got home & when I picked up my bags, it wasn't right off the flight - since I got diverted earlier in the trip, my bags came in before I did & were just sitting (in an unsecured pile which anyone could have just grabbed a bag and walked away with it) at the luggage area at DCA.

bhatnasx: Makes you wonder about that "positive bag match" requirement, where the bags must travel on the same flight as their owner! Doesn't look like it was observed here, if your bags arrived before you did!