Hidden cameras reveal airport workers stealing from luggage

jehb2 · Apr 14, 2015

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/13/us/airport-luggage-theft/index.html

Passepartout · Apr 14, 2015

If you don't check luggage, they don't get a crack at your bags. Duh!

geekette · Apr 15, 2015

I wish I were surprised. I'm not. Also not surprised to find some TSA agents flip a switch to get to pat down the attractive pax.

Flying gets worse and worse.

taterhed · Apr 15, 2015

FWIW....

TSA is actively running STING operations in major airports across the country. They are specifically targeting the theft of easily pilfer able items such as watches, loose cash and ipads etc....

To date, they have had some success.

Smaller airports also run theft operations (like this local one in Miami) to target known 'missing items.'

Still, it's a problem.

I wouldn't try leaving my ipad on the bed in the hotel either. Not a great challenge.

Just sayin; not everyone is a thief, but those who are sure give it a bad name.

vacationhopeful · Apr 15, 2015

When the TSA was first being staffed ... YEARS AGO ...My father's lawyer applied to become a TSA employee screening people at the airport. She was smart, good lawyer as a solo lawyer with her office, husband and about around 40 .. I thought, WHY? Just an hourly job?

6 months later, she applied and got a lawyer's job within the Federal Government ... easier to transfer around the Federal system than to apply for ANY job ... job was never open to outside applicants.

loosefeet · Apr 15, 2015

My husband (stupidly) put his iPod in his suitcase--and YEP, it was stolen by TSA.

taterhed · Apr 15, 2015

loosefeet said:
My husband (stupidly) put his iPod in his suitcase--and YEP, it was stolen by TSA.

Or baggage handlers or? You don't want to know what goes on between TSA and the downstream baggage claim. Just sayin....

am1 · Apr 15, 2015

If the punishments were better then maybe this would not be such a big problem. Saying they were punished to the fullest extent of the law is a joke.

Pompey Family · Apr 16, 2015

Passepartout said:
If you don't check luggage, they don't get a crack at your bags. Duh!

Not so easy when you're flying long haul for two weeks in the sun with a couple of kids in tow

This move towards cheaper fares for taking hand luggage only is a backward step in my opinion. More and more people are cramming their belongings into increasingly larger bags and there simply isn't sufficient space in the overhead bins to accommodate it all. I've lost count of the number of times my flight is delayed because the cabin crew are desperately trying to find somewhere to cram luggage in, coats, bags etc are being carelessly squashed and crushed by people forcing these 'mini' suitcases in. It drives me mad.

Is it really worth the £10 or £20 saving when you have to travel with the bare minimum and worry about whether you'll find space for your case? Is that 15 minute wait at the carousel to collect your luggage really that arduous?

taterhed · Apr 16, 2015

In all seriousness:

I follow these general rules when I travel.

Don't check luggage unless absolutely necessary.
If you do check luggage, don't check easy to steal, valuable items (Rolex, Ipad, Camera, Money, Gold etc...)
When going thru security, don't loose site of your bags/items.
When going thru security, put your high dollar items (computer watch ipad etc...) thru in the last bin--and don't go thru until you see the bin enter the machine and keep going. You'd be suprised how many people dump their valuables first and then spend 10 minutes taking off belts, keys, shoes etc.... while their valuables sit at the end of the system unattended.
Allow yourself enough time so that you don't become rushed and leave things behind. Especially when leaving the airplane or checkpoint.
Never leave your bags unattended.

If you follow these rules, the odds that your goods will be nabbed are drastically reduced.

If you go thru security and leave without noticing that your Rolex/Ipad is gone....maybe you need to not travel with your Rolex/Ipad.

BTW: All (US) Airport security checkpoints are now on CCTV. If there is something wrong--they will be able to check. You'd be suprised how many passengers will avail themselves of a 'gift' in the next rubber bin. Watch your items!!!! :annoyed:

Just my suggestions for what its worth. Sad that we have to do this, but that's the way it is.

Tia · Apr 16, 2015

Ya they also take naps in the airplanes cargo area, then want out when the flight takes off!

geekette · Apr 16, 2015

Pompey Family said:
Not so easy when you're flying long haul for two weeks in the sun with a couple of kids in tow

This move towards cheaper fares for taking hand luggage only is a backward step in my opinion. More and more people are cramming their belongings into increasingly larger bags and there simply isn't sufficient space in the overhead bins to accommodate it all. I've lost count of the number of times my flight is delayed because the cabin crew are desperately trying to find somewhere to cram luggage in, coats, bags etc are being carelessly squashed and crushed by people forcing these 'mini' suitcases in. It drives me mad.

Is it really worth the £10 or £20 saving when you have to travel with the bare minimum and worry about whether you'll find space for your case? Is that 15 minute wait at the carousel to collect your luggage really that arduous?

I'm more concerned about how the overhead bins were never made for the seriously heavy crap being shoved in. When grommets start popping, I'm deplaning.

I also have a pet peeve with the giant "carry on" luggage. If I have to check my too-big-to-carry-on piece, and pay for the privilege, why does the next guy get to save the fee and "gate check" free? that's crap. Gate check should be double the fee.

HatTrick · Apr 16, 2015

Coming Soon

Boeing's new Space Bins for the 737 hold 50% more bags.

am1 · Apr 16, 2015

I would be in favor of allowing people with out bags in the carry on bins to deplane first. At least those in aisle seats. It is crowded and can be dangerous when people start opening up the overhead bins.

Also would prefer 1 checked bag for free. I mostly fly an airline that allows two checked bags free and have 2 credit cards that offers it for other airlines.

taterhed · Apr 16, 2015

Unfortunately, passengers only comply when they want to. (some).

Ever seen the 'orderly' boarding process?

Sad, but planes are the new buses. At least we all get a seat.

Probably the best suggestion I've heard in a while: strictly enforce the carry-on rules at the check points.

I'm all for allowing 1 checked bag. The reason they don't? They make a fortune on cargo.

good discussion though....

Hidden cameras reveal airport workers stealing from luggage

jehb2

Passepartout

TUG Review Crew: Veteran

geekette

taterhed

vacationhopeful

TUG Review Crew: Rookie

loosefeet

TUG Review Crew

taterhed

am1

Pompey Family

taterhed

Tia

geekette

HatTrick

am1

taterhed