Checked baggage security screening
Jun 16, 2006 | 4:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NRT/HND, IWK, SAT, BWI, NAP, OKA, AUS, DEN, COS and PUB
Programs: UA 1K.. 1MM
Posts: 998
Checked baggage security screening
What's the difference between a bag being screened (ie, dug through and messed up) by TSA and by the airline? Is there a difference?
Recently, I flew OKA-KIX-SFO-AUS... And somewhere after rechecking for SFO-AUS, my bag was screened. It didn't have one of the "you have just been raped by TSA" fliers, but it did have a sticker on it saying something to the extent of "UNITED security screening"..
Here is why I want to know -
I can understand that the industry feels the need to manually examine bags from time to time, but I really hate when they mess things up and don't even try to fix them. I can handle unfolded shirts or a pile of socks being moved a few inches.......but in my recent screening, that didnt happen. All of the clothing was paclked just how I left it. My shoes were arranged the same way on the side pocked. However, the small front pocket where I put my ammenities? JACKED THE HECK UP.
They took my razors out of the carrying case. They took the blade holder off of the razor holder. They took the cap off of my shaving cream. They took the cap off my cologne. They took my bottle of hair product out of the plastic baggy specificcaly used so that it wouldnt spill everywhere. They basically completely messed with everything in my little pocked, leaving every possible thing that could be detached detached .. and uncapped.. and unbagged. It was a mess.
What the heck. I really want to use words other than heck, but I think I am not allowed... Grrr..
So. Who do I complain to.. UA? or TSA?
Recently, I flew OKA-KIX-SFO-AUS... And somewhere after rechecking for SFO-AUS, my bag was screened. It didn't have one of the "you have just been raped by TSA" fliers, but it did have a sticker on it saying something to the extent of "UNITED security screening"..
Here is why I want to know -
I can understand that the industry feels the need to manually examine bags from time to time, but I really hate when they mess things up and don't even try to fix them. I can handle unfolded shirts or a pile of socks being moved a few inches.......but in my recent screening, that didnt happen. All of the clothing was paclked just how I left it. My shoes were arranged the same way on the side pocked. However, the small front pocket where I put my ammenities? JACKED THE HECK UP.
They took my razors out of the carrying case. They took the blade holder off of the razor holder. They took the cap off of my shaving cream. They took the cap off my cologne. They took my bottle of hair product out of the plastic baggy specificcaly used so that it wouldnt spill everywhere. They basically completely messed with everything in my little pocked, leaving every possible thing that could be detached detached .. and uncapped.. and unbagged. It was a mess.
What the heck. I really want to use words other than heck, but I think I am not allowed... Grrr..
So. Who do I complain to.. UA? or TSA?
Jun 16, 2006 | 6:09 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,947
Your toiletry case is probably what set off whatever alarm/x-ray check or whatever they have going on that caused it to be opened and looked at. Was the sticker on the outside of the case? Is that how you're sure it happened on the domestic segment?
My complaint has always been if they are going to search it and tell you its for your 'security' then they should really search it or just leave us alone. The normal modus operandi is a crappy 'show' job where most things are not even looked at, much less checked (e.g. i've had zippered compartments with obvious stuff in them totally ignored during an SSSS search
) Sounds like your stuff was actually checked -- cans opened, etc.
BTW - this might be better placed in the travel security forum, even though it said UA security on the flyer, the only 'security' that should go in your bag is TSA (they might be associated with UA at the airport - who knows).
My complaint has always been if they are going to search it and tell you its for your 'security' then they should really search it or just leave us alone. The normal modus operandi is a crappy 'show' job where most things are not even looked at, much less checked (e.g. i've had zippered compartments with obvious stuff in them totally ignored during an SSSS search
) Sounds like your stuff was actually checked -- cans opened, etc.BTW - this might be better placed in the travel security forum, even though it said UA security on the flyer, the only 'security' that should go in your bag is TSA (they might be associated with UA at the airport - who knows).