Checked Baggage Opened and Searched
 

It seems I have got the first taste of what the new security measures will be like on a flight last Saturday from Port of Spain/Trinidad to JFK.

When I took my checked bag from the belt at JFK I realized that it had been opened and closed again (I have a way to tell). This bag had not been locked with a padlock or so, just zippers. I opened the bag and found my things in a pretty mess: papers and books crumbled, some goggles broken, all (seven!)zippers of an empty backpack, and of my necessity bag opened. Nothing was missing, though. When I asked AA Baggage Service I was told that this was not under their control, it was either customs or security. I wondered what if my back had been padlocked, and was told that TSA has the right to break open the lock, and if they are not able to, TSA will hold the bag, and I might miss my flight.

Why they opened my back is unclear to me, as there was neither cheese nor chocolate inside, and my tennis shoes have no rubber soles (which I understand can set of E.D.S. as well).

Anybody else has some inside and/or stories on these new regulations? I mean, you can not put any delicate items in your checked luggage any more, and where do you claim if something is missing or broken?

SEA-DFW late Monday, I checked a ski bag, unlocked, containing only skis and poles. I can't imagine what set the machine off, but when I got home, I found my bag with nothing missing/messed, but this notice inside:
Front
Back

I like the fact that they inserted a notice. If they are consistent about this at least it is step in the right direction.

My equipment case was opened last weekend. It was packed back up pretty close to the way I would pack it.

I also found the notice in my bag.

That being said, this is just a moronic way of justifying 60,000 government employees.

Notice I typed "Employees", I find "Government Worker" to be the biggext oxymoron there is.

Opening bags not under your supervision seems to be the most idiotic, arrogant policy I've heard of.

While security it a necessity, I think creating a special room for passengers to open their checked bags for the inspectors to check is appropriate, or perhaps having the bags check-in bags inspected before giving them to the airline.

Are you kidding me about not having locked bags? If something is ever stolen from your bag, the airline will blame the TSA and the TSA will blame the airline. The passenger ends up being screwed (yet again).

- Pat

LAX opens the bag in front of you, at least at the United terminal. SFO doesn't. See my report at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003378.html

Clue in! These b@ssholes have no right to rifle through our checked luggage, consistency notwithstanding. This whole movement of security-at-any-cost is gov't gone completely amok.

It's clear that NO ONE will ultimately take responsibility for our checked items. We as pax will have to become proactive on this count and utilize 3rd party baggage services to transport oversized or excess luggage-allowance pieces from point to point. We shouldn't make the mistake of assuming that our fave airlines are looking out for our interests let alone the TSA.

[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 01-10-2003).]