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TSA Officers Fired After Stealing From Passengers
Have you ever arrived at your destination to find items missing from your suitcase and thought, "I wonder how that happened?" It turns out, you may have been a victim of TSA theft.
ABC News, as seen in the clip above, conducted an investigation into the security of airport screening stations. New figures show that 381 TSA officers have been fired after stealing from passengers and their luggage. The investigation tracked checked bags with iPads and cash, and also went through security checkpoints with these items in carry-on luggage.
In nine of ten cases, the items made it to their destination safely. But in Orlando, an iPad left behind ended up in the hands of a security officer. Using a device-tracking app on the iPad, investigators traced the iPad to the home of the security officer last seen with the device. After denying that he stole the item, the officer was caught red-handed when the alert for the device was heard from inside his home.
Thankfully, the officer has been terminated. We're sure this will lead to further TSA investigations, but for now, we'd suggest putting valuable items in the safety of your well-guarded carry-on bag.
Filed under: Video, Airports, News, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Linda Sep 28th 2012 11:56AM
One ABC report that I saw showed that ABC filed a written complaint about theft of an item. TSA denied their complaint. It wasn't until ABC had a theft on video that TSA admitted to it. A few years ago, after flying into Miami, I went to baggage claim. When my suitcase came out, I didn't recognize it. It was taped from top to bottom. It was blatently broken into, searched and destroyed. I filed a complaint with TSA and after months and months of being ignored and then having to deal with ignorant, uninformed, useless TSA employees, who are paid with our tax money, my claim was denied. I was told in a letter that I could take it to civil court if I wanted. Thank you ABC for bringing the criminal TSA agency to the public's attention.
Tw Sep 28th 2012 12:25PM
Tsa is a dealt agency I worked for them for 3yes yes and they do some shady shit to their employees but in 3yrs I have Never saw or heard of any of my coworkers steAling. We make to much that's crazy just buy ur own damn iPad I think he's just worlds stupidest criminal lmao
reathea Sep 28th 2012 3:06PM
You used to be able to lock your luggage, but not anymore, not for a long time now. That used to be the only way I would check a bag. Now, heck, I just cut down on what I take and use a carry on.
Sherylynne Sep 28th 2012 4:23PM
When you got ignored and then pushed around, metaphorically, you should have taken them to court! Whether you won or not, at least they would have to answer in a court of law!
TJE Sep 29th 2012 1:12AM
I've traveled for years and come up with a partial solution to loss to TSA. I travel light. I send everything VIA UPS or FedEx over night to the hotel attn the concierge or desk person. Most of the time its been hung up and wrinkle free by the time I arrive. It takes some planning and you may go without or go with too much a couple of times but we learn. Also works for vacation, sometimes.
TJE III
jones Sep 28th 2012 10:47PM
TW, You are lying. TSA does not pay their employees a lot. Yes, you might make a decent amount of money, however, do not make it seem that working a federal job in an airport is that great. I actually have two family members who currently work for TSA. One is a higher up employee. I work for a private company and my benefits are MUCH better than those of TSA employees.
I also know that both TSA and different airline employees steal things that are left on planes. TSA thinks that they are someone super important, you are not. You are almost the same as a mall cop, except because you decide whether or not someone can get on a plane, you have a big ego. There are many nice TSA employees out there, however, many of them are @$$holes because of those three little letters.
Barbara Oct 1st 2012 9:55AM
If you had just locked your bags with TSA approved locks your bag would not have had to be forcefully opened when something in it had to be checked. That is why your complaint was ignored. Read the signs posted at all airports.
Mjr_Dzaster Oct 2nd 2012 2:09PM
You know...when I lived in Japan, I never had to worry about my personal items...ever. I accidentally left my brand new Cannon EOS Rebel X 35mm camera and three lenses in a camera bag on a seat bench next to me at the train station in Tokyo, Japan when I was on a business trip there back in the mid-80's. I arrived at work, and then discovered my mistake. I was really upset...because I knew that in the U.S. it would be LONG gone. But the security guard at the department store where I was doing a special effects installation, told me, "No...no, it's no problem. Go now, go back to that station. It will still be there." Are you sure? I asked. And he said go. So I went all the way back to that station, and when I arrived there almost 40 minutes later and got off the train, there was my camera bag intact. I was amazed. Because here in the States, there are only about half the honest people here and to me, I wonder why that is. Perhaps it's that Capitalist Republican attitude that what is yours is really mine. We teach our children via the Main-Stream Media and in our politics and the U.S. Foreign Policy (which is really U.S. CORPORATE Foreign Policy) that it is perfectly acceptable to steal whatever you want and that there should be NO consequences for it...at least within the government there seems to be little or no cxobnsequences...right? Presidential pardons and a really crooked Supreme Court...violent law enforcement officers etc., so forth and so on. TSA should be dismantled and a new agency that can acxtually be trusted, put ibn its place.
Jack Sep 28th 2012 11:25AM
To bad Americans support this homeland security treason. This is the most worthless use of tax money the public has ever fell for.
prodeus1 Sep 28th 2012 12:07PM
Jack, Your words of truth cut like steel.You show wisdom beyound your yrs.
Robert Lee Sep 28th 2012 2:49PM
Can you prove it is Treason. Give me facts, not your bovine feces.
victor gibson Oct 6th 2012 3:30PM
Your Damned correct jack THis is thanks to george bushy boys war and dick cheney's/ War for profit President Eisenhower warned just as he was leaving office to watch out for the industrial military complex. They have been playing americans for decades and vietnam was one of the worst man induced war Defense is one thing but invasion isnt defence. Its no countries right to go into another. Israel has nuclear weapons maybe some nation who thinks Israel is dangerous needs to consider using the same threats as ISrael is now.
Hmmmmmm Oh but only Israel gets to do that right? Don't these rah rah rah the troops media hyped attitudes just prey on the sensitivites of americans and americans think war is the only solution another words were big and bad so do things as we deem fit or else. Thats bullying.
Those who truly love america will want to see it evolve beyond this ignorant blood and dead bodies methods of dealing with each other No one owns this damned world it belongs to everyone and as long as dolts in offices of authority are allowed to continue to order wars on their whims as george bush and dick cheney did the world will never have peace. You cant have peace while preparing for war.
richard closs Sep 30th 2012 9:54PM
the T.S.A are being used soften americans to a guestapo. their powers to use brute force will be expanded, this is treason. Obama, Clinton ,Bush they all know this." people who trade real freedom for a false sense of security deserve neither." Ben Franklin i am waiting for the story of physical violence agenst citizens.
Evan Sep 28th 2012 11:41AM
I heard the comments about their being fired, but I do not recall hearing that any of the fired agents were charged with theft. Since they are public employees breaking the law carries very stiff penalties. Supposedly.
But that begs the question: If AT LEAST 10% of these TSA agents are crooks, why haven't they dumped the whole program since those are only the ones that they've caught? The likelihood is there are a heck of a lot more.
Moreover, how do they think they are going to stop the thefts when they don't prosecute the thieves?
Stupid government program run by even stupider government employees passed by the stupidest ones of all- Congressmen.
CC Sep 28th 2012 12:13PM
@ Evans What about the police officer you shot and kill and ask question later. I guess we should get rid of them too.
Evan Sep 28th 2012 1:01PM
CC, if your comment were written in decipherable English, I'd respond. As it is, I have virtually no idea what message you wish to convey.
If you were referring to getting rid of police officers who are too quick on the trigger I'd be likely to agree with you. However, to better serve the interests of society I'd rather depend on the 2nd Amendment.
Joellen Hall Sep 28th 2012 2:08PM
Couldn't agree more!
Tom Sep 28th 2012 2:36PM
Evan... Are you surprised that CC can't express a clear thought?
Evan Sep 28th 2012 2:51PM
Actually, Tom, I was. New here. Is CC one of "those"?
teri Sep 28th 2012 3:06PM
I agree. I think that the TSA can't let on that they have thieves among themselves. If they start getting arrested, instead of investigated, stuff would start hitting the fan. Maybe they should start the investigation from the top.