TSA Pays Millions To Settle Luggage and Missing Items Claims

[TheRustyScupper]

FROM USA-TODAY, 7/2/2015:

. . . The Transportation Security Administration paid passengers $3 million over the last five years for claims that airport security screeners broke, lost or stole their luggage or items inside, according to a review of about 50,000 complaints . . .

. . . Among the 30 top airports, once adjusted by the number of people served, the share of passengers who filed claims – and got paid – was highest at Dulles International in Washington and Orlando International in the 2010 to 2014 time frame . . .

 

[bumbershoot]

Wow.

 

[sam_gordon]

I honestly don't remember, was there any screening of checked luggage before TSA? If so, how does these settlement compare to that time frame?

 

[kaytieeldr]

So baggage handlers get a free pass? Interesting...

 

[goofy4tink]

So baggage handlers get a free pass? Interesting...

That was my first thought. Who is screening the checked bags? I know I never put anything in my checked bags that someone could remotely be interested in stealing. But, people insist on putting valuables in those bags!!!

I'm glad someone is being held accountable for these thefts though.....just hope that other folks are being looked at as well.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I honestly don't remember, was there any screening of checked luggage before TSA? If so, how does these settlement compare to that time frame?

Yep, there was. Handled by the airlines with private security companies. Then came 9/11 and TSA and the PATRIOT Act. Who knows what they paid out.

So baggage handlers get a free pass? Interesting...

Heck, TSA got an almost free pass. Do the arithmetic, $60 per claim.

 

[jerseygal]

We NEVER pack valuables in a checked bag. Our nephew had his camera stolen from Newark to MCO...never know who is rifling through the bag!

 

[tmcmommy]

I wish I knew how to get TSA to pay for the items they broke when rummaging through one of our bags in June. I was worried about the Boba Fett steins from SWW getting back in one piece and unfortunately, 2 of them just wouldn't fit in our carry-on's so I very, very carefully packed them in the checked bag. I wrapped the antennae in washcloths (I had packed a few of those baby ones that are super soft for my kids' faces) and put them inside of the mug parts which were then wrapped in beach towels I bought JUST FOR THESE THINGS. Of course of our 4 checked bags it had to be the one with these in there and they broke the antennae.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I wish I knew how to get TSA to pay for the items they broke when rummaging through one of our bags in June.

1) Complain as soon as you see/notice the problem.
. . . wait too long and you are not eligible
. . . also, the TSA might say you are claiming breakage that occurred after the flight
2) Make certain you retain the TSA-Letter.
. . . any bags opened will have a slip of paper inside noting that TSA opened and inspected that piece of luggage
. . . without that paper, a claim is hard to submit

 

[tmcmommy]

Well, nevermind. I just checked the TSA site and it's not even worth my time to file a claim and given the number of denials, I'm fairly certain they'll deny my claim anyway. 2 mugs with drinks were $35.XX. TSA isn't going to reimburse me for anymore than original cost. My time is worth more than that.

Thank goodness I made a quick return trip and did SWW again and was able to buy a replacement. Had it been only one kid I would've said oh well but to have only one mug get broken out of 3 (when they were so very carefully packed) how do you determine who gets the broken one?

I'm just irritated because every single trip we take it seems one of our bags always gets inspected and they never take the time to put things back the way they were. What IS it that's setting off that one bag or is it really just our random "luck" with MCO?