TSA - was this really necessary? UPDATED!

[DebbieB]

I don't doubt that the baggage handlers can do damage, but I think most of their 'handling' would affect the outside of the bag, or maybe some internal damage due to something getting crushed under the weight of other bags being piled on top or thrown, etc. But this was a bag inspection done by the TSA. So I blame them.

Baggage handlers have been known to steal from bags. If they are alone with bags either in the sorting area or in the belly of the plane, they can help themselves if no one is around. ThE OP's case probably is TSA but you can't rule out baggage handlers in the other case.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Baggage handlers have been known to steal from bags. If they are alone with bags either in the sorting area or in the belly of the plane, they can help themselves if no one is around. ThE OP's case probably is TSA but you can't rule out baggage handlers in the other case.

Very comforting

BTW, I am the OP

 

[keishashadow]

I have flown from PIT to MCO twelve times in the past 5 years and the security has always been more lax at PIT than at MCO. I don't even bother to take my quart bag out of my carry-on at PIT.

not exactly what I want to read. My family members get extra screening often @ PIT, would be nice to know that at bare minimum everybody's carryon bag is screened.

Still, if u don't pull out ur bag, & then get a TSA agent who is doing their joband requests that u do comply; what about the peeps behind u in line that have to wait while u dig for ur bag.

Curious, what line do u select for processing...family, casual, business? For some reason @ PIT, peeps just don't read the signage & hop into the shortest line for which they may not qualify. IMO, this is one of the main reasons why the lines get backed up big-time @ here during the am rush; many times it stretches out to the parking garage

 

[DebbieB]

I've been through PIT many times and they have caught items in my bag. I accidentally put an $18 tube of Clinique sunscreen in my carryon and it got confiscated. I left a small bottle of water in my carry-on from a previous trip and they caught it. I don't think security is lax.

 

[downsouth]

Folks look who the TSA hires, it's usually not the best and brightest in town. I don't think we really should be surprised!

 

[keishashadow]

I've been through PIT many times and they have caught items in my bag. I accidentally put an $18 tube of Clinique sunscreen in my carryon and it got confiscated. I left a small bottle of water in my carry-on from a previous trip and they caught it. I don't think security is lax.

ouch re the sunscreen, still glad to hear another report that TSA is still game-on out of the burg.

 

[Carriemel]

Folks look who the TSA hires, it's usually not the best and brightest in town. I don't think we really should be surprised!

They hired me. I really don't like when people make blanket statements like that. It's kind of like me saying, "All *insert your profession here* are idiots."

 

[mgilmer]

They hired me. I really don't like when people make blanket statements like that. It's kind of like me saying, "All *insert your profession here* are idiots."

Downsouth did not say all, but usually, which means most. I used to fly a lot in my profession and I never saw a more motley crew of petty, rude, and sometimes just down right mean, dictators like the ones I saw at most TSA checkpoints. Now you may be the exception, but in my experience, you would be a rare exception. I am sorry if that hurts your feelings, but it is the truth.

 

[safetymom]

I used to fly a lot and found many TSA to be nice and professional. It is the nasty ones that give the rest of them a bad name. There are some agents that the power has gone to their head, but I have seen many freq. flyers that think they own the airport because they do it all the time.

I was in Hartford once and the TSA was very nice and greeting people with a smile. The person in front of me laid into him for no reason. That was uncalled for.

I found in my travels that if I followed the rules and kept my mouth shut I had few problems. I pack plenty of patience when I travel, that is something more people need to do.

 

[crashbb]

Whenever I read that someone finds all/most TSA agents to be mean/awful/dumb/dictatorial, I have to wonder what kind of traveler they are.

While I have run across a few bad agents (and I travel a fair amount), the vast majority of agents that I have encountered are not bad agents.

If someone is always running into bad agents, I have to wonder what they are doing to encourage this (or, if they are just going to assume that all agents are bad, no matter what).

 

[keishashadow]

I used to fly a lot and found many TSA to be nice and professional. It is the nasty ones that give the rest of them a bad name. There are some agents that the power has gone to their head, but I have seen many freq. flyers that think they own the airport because they do it all the time.

I was in Hartford once and the TSA was very nice and greeting people with a smile. The person in front of me laid into him for no reason. That was uncalled for.

I found in my travels that if I followed the rules and kept my mouth shut I had few problems. I pack plenty of patience when I travel, that is something more people need to do.

well said, if more peeps would just follow the drill; things would run much more efficiently and TSA wouldn't be in the position of babysitting vs doing their job looking for true problems. imo, it's a thankless job; akin to most professions trusted to safeguard us.

 

[bavaria]

I haven't flown much in America this year (although I have done more than enough miles in past), but I honestly think that some people approach flying just looking to pick a flight. I see that almost every time - they get defensive, or abrasive, before anyone has even said anything. And even when the TSA or airline agent tries to be helpful, they have a preconceived idea and refuse to see that it may not be true.

How many times do we read here that people are bringing items which are not permitted? No matter how often the rules are stated on email confirmations, airline websites, in travel agencies, at the airports, etc, some people don't seem to want to understand or try and understand the rules.

I've often warned travellers here that they shouldn't expect the same courtesy and leeway extended by TSA when flying in other countries. Nor is such behaviour tolerated to the extent that I see it in America. Witness the recent 'TSA stole my baby' claim which was proven to be an outrageous lie.

I myself have actually filed a report based on one MCO experience, but I do think that TSA has managed to gain a poor reputation based on some poor employees, and that the general public seems to be unable to look beyond that to recognize the hundreds of decent agents. I know that TSA bashing is a popular sport on travel websites, but I don't have the same experiences that many posters seem to have, even though I fly far more frequently.

 

[onelilspark]

It seems like whenever I fly, my bag gets rifled through. I never put anything of value in it (always on me in my carry-on.) But I'm with the OP...if my clothes are neatly folded, it'd be nice when I get to my destination to see that the TSA agent has at least taken some care when going through my bag, not that all my clothes are now a wrinkled mess and I have to spend an hour ironing... Drives me bonkers.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I run into TSA agents every single day. Some agents are kind and helpful. Others... let's say 65% or so... not so much. Unfortunately, most (and yes, I mean most - 90%) could use some courses in personal grooming, basic hygiene and how to choose the proper uniform sizes. I am fully aware the TSA does not provide a flattering uniform for females and overweight or obese men... but seriously, pick a size that fits!

Thank you.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I run into TSA agents every single day. Some agents are kind and helpful. Others... let's say 65% or so... not so much. Unfortunately, most (and yes, I mean most - 90%) could use some courses in personal grooming, basic hygiene and how to choose the proper uniform sizes. I am fully aware the TSA does not provide a flattering uniform for females and overweight or obese men... but seriously, pick a size that fits!

Thank you.

Ewwww, and they're rooting through our clothes. (think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts!!!)

 

[bumbershoot]

Witness the recent 'TSA stole my baby' claim which was proven to be an outrageous lie.

Ooh, really? Off I go a'googling....

 

[bavaria]

Flyertalk or Google will lead you there... but I think that she has removed most of her blog by now once TSA released the video

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't trust the TSA to leave a note when they go through your luggage.

A few years ago when flying home from MCO the TSA looked through one of our suit cases, because there was a note inside that said inspected by the TSA.

 

[crashbb]

Flyertalk or Google will lead you there... but I think that she has removed most of her blog by now once TSA released the video

Nope - it is still there

http://www.mybottlesup.com/

AND, she is sticking by her story.

Apparently, the video is magically missing the time her son was taken out of her sight, and magically shows her son being happy and content in his stroller (she still maintains that at the time the video shows her son being in her sight, he wasn't).

Her follow up posts are almost as entertaining as the original.

 

[safetymom]

A few years ago when flying home from MCO the TSA looked through one of our suit cases, because there was a note inside that said inspected by the TSA.

But they have been known to go through luggage without leaving a note which was my point.