Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Beware bag searches by America's Transport Security Administration

UK Independent: Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Beware bag searches by America's Transport Security Administration



Q. My luggage had been opened by TSA security staff as I left the US. Although nothing was missing, they undid my careful packing. Clothes were crushed and other items left scattered about the case. Do I have any redress?

A. ... Many of us do everything we can to avoid checking in bags under any circumstances. Searches by TSA staff are just one of the possible hazards.

 

It's bad enough these thugs go through your things but I've seen plenty of complaints where shampoo bottles have been left uncapped, medications opened and spilled, other liquids in zip lock bags opened and not put back in the bag and recently loose tea dumped all over. I'm wondering if this is done as a punishment for not packing anything valuable they can steal.

 

Probably because TSA employees can't be taught how to do simple things, never mind something harder. I truly suspect TSA is staff mostly by job limited (read not smart enough to operate a Fry-O-Lator) employees who can't get real jobs.

 

Some checkers do a professional job. Others, through malice, laziness, or being pure slobs, do not. Find them and fire them. No second chances.

 

Oh, come on. Some of them are indeed smart enough to operate a Fry-O-Lator - they just prefer employment with the TSA because they like groping people and/or stealing their belongings.

 

So the short answer to the op is "No"....

 

And the slightly longer answer is 'no, and don't ever check a bag.'

When I was flying, I never, never, never, checked bags.

 

Given the bag-checking fees of most airlines, shipping your luggage by FedEx or UPS might be an option. The bonus being that the freedom fluffers don't get anywhere near it.

 

How is it acceptable that TSA is 'just one the hazards"? The travel industry is despicable for allowing this and I'll be damned if I'll fund this garbage by buying a ticket.