Just when you thought TSA was bad.........

One of the things that irks me is the thievery in the airline industry, here is a ring that was busted up at Connecticut from a bunch of Delta Airline employees stealing things out of every bodies bags. It's bad enough having to carry the bare minimum over seas due to corrupt airline workers and customs but when you have this going on in the states is messed up. That is why I always keep what I need in my carry on where I can watch it and everything that goes under the aircraft is sacrificial. One thing that sux is if you want to take a sleeping bag with you and you have to check it and find it missing at the other side, in the states I would mail it but traveling your kinda of screwed.



http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/news_wtnh_windsorlocks_bradely_theft_arrest_200903021729_rev1

I wonder what happened to all the stuff they stole in the six months the investigation was going on?

Sue

I wonder how much of a background check is performed on potential employees. It seems that the flying public is unduly scrutinized while the thieves have free rein to take their possessions. I'll drive, thank you.

I don't know for sure but I suspect that the items stolen are not generally survival type things. Watches, cameras, travelers checks, jewelry, high end clothing, and electronics; luxury, eye catching and easily resalable items, seem more likely to be targeted.

The article cited: ... "laptops, flat screen TV's, cameras, iPods, and GPS units. Also taken were five foot tall wooden carved African masks, jewelry, watches and earrings."

I doubt most thieves are sleeping bag, canteen and backpack types. Most seem more acclimated to the urban rumble and bling than roughing it in the woods.

Of course, you never know. So reasonable precautions are wise. Some European travelers have invested in wire-cable net bags and many airports will inspect and then shrink wrap your bags for a price but I really wouldn't worry too much about my survival gear.

Guess once they got caught stealing copper they needed to move on:

Copper Theft

It seems there are a number of the baggage stealing stories at various times in various cities. Glad I drive everywhere!

This is nothing new. Airline employees, including TSA officers, have been stealing stuff from people's luggage for decades. These bozos just happened to be dumb and greedy enough to be caught.

There was a big bust on luggage handler theft at National Airport several years ago.

For long domestic trips, I Fed Ex luggage. At least they track your bag and you can insure it for its full value.

As the economy tanks, crime will skyrocket.

You have to understand that there are insufficient resources to be doing background checks on all those folks. The TSA has far more important things on its plate, for example issuing all those credentials to the mule skinners who pull canal boats! They just prioritize and do the best they can.

SAadly I think you are right!

"As the economy tanks, crime will skyrocket."

Yeah, and the criminals will get worse, too!

Sue