Yes, I consider the TSA workers going through my baggage and property a violation of Civil Rights, the Fourth Amendment to our Constitution and an outrageous privacy invasion. I no more want TSA people in my baggage and property than I want a burglar in my home.I would rather take my chances with terrorists over TSA and government tyranny any day.
On more than one occasion I have had things pilfered from my checked baggage and now the TSA and airlines avoid responsibility and restitution to victims. We must do something, anything at all to combat this behavior.
Workers caught stealing today only face misdemeanor charges like a first time shoplifter taking a candy bar from a 7-11 store. That needs to change with state and federal laws that would make any theft of baggage or their contents a felony with a significant prison term when committed by a TSA worker against a traveler. Their special access to our personal property demands a punishment that deters such nefarious activity.
Read more here.
Don't forget to mention the arbitrary "confiscation" of items at the airline counters. Last January I had two bottles of wine taken out of my checked luggage because they were "not packed properly" and there was a "risk" of leakage in my suitcase, although they didn't seem so concerned about the shampoo bottle I also had packed in there. They told me it was a TSA and United Airline regulation that was publicized on their website, although the TSA website specifically said that I was allowed to pack sealed beverage containers (i.e. a wine bottle) in my checked luggage. I think that anyone who has the authority to search and confiscate my property should be better trained.
ReplyDeleteOn top of that, I checked a gun case for the same flight that was treated as ordinary luggage. It came out the baggage chute with everyone else's luggage, and could have easily been taken by somebody if I had been delayed on my way to the baggage claim. You and I probably think differently about transporting guns by plane Paul, but I found it absurd that a bottle of wine was viewed as a greater security risk than a firearm.
The lunatics have taken over the asylum.
AMEN BROTHER!! Thank you for writing this! I'm an electrician at "a VERY large airport". I'm behind the scenes. You should see what they do, it's sick. TSA is nothing but a bunch of loser $12/hr. assholes that wear a uniform and think they can do whatever they want. Almost as bad as cops.....
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't even know if something had been pilfered from my bags. So I make sure I carry-on all my valuables.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've never even heard about the Bernsen case. Like the Duke LaCrosse accuser, anyone who falsely accuses another should face prosecution. It's disgusting. They never have to face the consequences for having lied. 23,000 of tax payers dollars were spent on the DNA tests that proved the DNA on the woman was from *others*.
The TSA pilfering problem could be easily fixed if they stopped paying $12 an hour and raised the pay to about $20 an hour and required additional training and background investigations. I think a better pool of candidates would apply in this case. Also, since they are supposed to be acting as a representative of the government, those caught stealing from traveler's luggage should be charged with something similar to the Illinois state charge of "Official Misconduct", which is a felony.
ReplyDeleteI have a much better idea. Let’s deactivate the TSA organization along with their air marshals.
ReplyDeleteLets bring in experienced street cops by having them handle flight security in their off duty or vacation time. The current air marshals have little or no experience dealing with drunk, hostile or angry people and real cops do.
As for pre-flight screening have cops simply profile travelers by behavior for further review.
This frisk, fondle and rob TSA pattern is un-American.
Why do we allow non-Americans from countries hostile to the United States to fly on our airplanes? When we were at was with the Japanese we locked them all up citizens or not. That may seem extreme today but must we really have to allow them access to our airplanes?
We need to dust off the Fourth Amendment and re-activate out Bill of Rights. Searching loyal Americans like criminals and stealing their property is no solution to terrorism. A government treating their own citizens like criminals for merely traveling is terrorism.
Actually, most (if not all) air marshals used to be cops, sheriffs, etc, and went to the Air Marshal service, so yeah, they do have loads of experience in dealing with the drunks, disorderlies, etc....
ReplyDeleteNot most but some are former cops. TSA is not a law enforcement agency. All air marshals need to be sworn US deputy Marshals under law enforcement bosses instead of patronage hacks.
ReplyDeleteI just returned from a vacation in Florida. I carry my police ID in a security pocket in my jacket. TSA forced open the zipper and broke same. They neglected to tell me that they had broken it and during the entrance to the airport the star, police ID, Foid card and carry concealed ID fell out an is gone. TSA position about as concerned as a dead woodpecker. Did it fall out or was it taken ?
ReplyDeleteTSA is the reason I avoid flying. It's a terrible invasion of privacy the way they rifle through belongings and mess up a neatly packed bag.
ReplyDeleteWorse yet, why are they always pulling out older white ladies for an exhaustive body search yet are too cowardly to pull out ethnic-looking young men?
they just tried to steal my friend's jewelry at DTW
ReplyDeleteI just had $400 of merchandise stolen by TSA in Miami on my way to Brazil (American Airlines). I wrote my congressman the next day. I encourage everyone to do the same. Go to your representative's website and explain what happened. It's the best way to get things on the government's radar. Emphasize that if TSA is stealing from our luggage, how can they be trusted to not accept a bribe to overlook a bomb or some other hazardous item? RAISE YOUR VOICE!
ReplyDeleteWho ever the DumbA$$ is that said FAMs have to be deputized by US Deputy Marshals is stupid at the moron level and should never comment on something he knows nothing about! Firstly, they are not deputized for anything because they are Sworn U.S. Federal Agents with full arrest powers and statutory authority under Title 49 USC. Air Marshals and FBI agents have exclusive authority for civil aviation incidents. Air Marshals also have administrative warrant powers because when they need to act time is usually critical and there is no time for a US Magistrate or Judge to approve. Except for some loser TSA screeners, they have recently hired to be FAMs 75% of FAMs are former local police or a Federal agent from other federal law enforcement agencies.
ReplyDelete