Airlines took my knife!

[Madcap_Magician]

Semi-off topic, but while I had no issues with security, I did open my suitcase upon returning to discover the same number of items as when I dropped my suitcase off in checked baggage at Columbia Metro Airport.

Some TSA jackass had added a "Your bag has been searched" notice and subtracted my $150 Canal Street three-blade Cannitler.

 

[michaelbsc]

Semi-off topic, but while I had no issues with security, I did open my suitcase upon returning to discover the same number of items as when I dropped my suitcase off in checked baggage at Columbia Metro Airport.

Some TSA jackass had added a "Your bag has been searched" notice and subtracted my $150 Canal Street three-blade Cannitler.

At least they were honest about it, sort of.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

SHAME ON THE TSA I put 100 dollars down that he took you Canal Street Home with him.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

In the future I'll check a gun, regardless of whether or not I can carry it, and if I can't carry it, I'll leave it in the hotel room lockbox.

That way my bag will always be hand-inspected, but I'll get to watch it happen.

 

[hso]

File a claim with the airline and a complaint with TSA.

 

[Big_John1961]

That's BS. As I understand it, you're allowed to take knives as long as they're in your checked luggage.

 

[beatledog7]

Big John, you've missed the point. TSA did not officially confiscate the knife. A TSA employee unofficially stole it.

 

[Big_John1961]

Got it. That's even more BS. I'd be hot.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

In the future I'll check a gun, regardless of whether or not I can carry it, and if I can't carry it, I'll leave it in the hotel room lockbox.

That way my bag will always be hand-inspected, but I'll get to watch it happen.

That's how it works in theory, but not always in practice I check a firearm every time I fly, it goes with the job. Twice now I have opened my bag to find the yellow "we inspected your bag" sheet in there... right next to the obvious as hell hard sided case locked to the steel bar in my bag, with the firearm declaration taped to it.

Those were two very unhappy TSA supervisors that I talked with.

The point is, the TSA is a bunch of incompetent buffoons that can't even follow their own rules. Following their rules won't do anything to save you from their idiocy.

Oh, and leaving NOLA once, the WN ticket agent who had just checked me in walked my bag over to the TSA keystone squad for inspection, told them there was a declared firearm in it.. and they promptly ran it through the x-ray machine. The operator of which started hollering that there was a gun in the bag.

 

[sidheshooter]

knife in bag at start of trip + knife missing at end = theft.

You can put a Wakizashi in your checked baggage, so long as it fits.

File a theft complaint and be aggressive.

 

[Al Thompson]

MM, any resolution on this? I'm in the area, so let me know if you need some leg work done on who to write, file, etc.

 

[lobo9er]

Please let us know how this works out.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Got it. That's even more BS. I'd be hot.

What, you think it is less of an issue for the incorrectly tauted airlines or TSA to steal/confiscate illegally than it is for individuals? At what level do you think most such thefts occur? It isn't at the airline for industry levels. It is at the individual level.

That way my bag will always be hand-inspected, but I'll get to watch it happen.

This will not preclude a secondary opening by dishonest employees.

 

[jeepnik]

You know, I think it's about time some smart lawyer figures out how to file a class action suit against the airlines for all the stuff taken from checked bags. There has got to be at least one greedy and smart SOB of a lawyer who could do it.

 

[PRM]

TSA - is a bunch of jerks. I came back from Afghanistan in 2010. There was probably 50 of us going through Atlanta (all military in uniform). I had to cut US Customs tags off of my lap top (put on in Kuwait) so the could inspect it. Then the metal shanks in my boots set off the alarm. Got pulled out and searched, had to take my boots off to prove I was not hiding something in them. The TSA lady thought it was funny because I was probably going to miss my connecting flight.

Military personnel are an easy safe target for them. They know your not going to do anything that will cause you to miss a flight. Going through you stuff seems to be very amusing to them.

I don't fly any more - period, just because I don't want the hassle. This summer I drove for two days to visit family in another state. Gas and hotels cost more than a flight and I spent 4 out of 7 days driving on my vacation. Was worth every penny and mile.

 

[jrdolall]

I fly weekly and have never had anything missing from my checked luggage. I will agree that many TSA employees are on a power kick and in way over their heads as far as regulations regarding firearms and other weapons are concerned but I have never had any major problems when transporting declared firearms.
ATL may be the worst with Logan and LAX following close behind. The more rural airports like Billings or Grand Rapids, where hunters fly regularly, tend to be better at dealing with firearms since they see them every day. The employees in ATL, Chicago and LAX are only accustomed to seeing 9s and 45s tucked in waistbands or carried in hoodie pockets.

 

[JTW Jr.]

Ask Ken Onion about what happens when traveling with knives in checked baggage. He lost a whole bunch of them coming from Hawaii to California a few years ago. Probably about $15K+ worth.

Neither TSA or the Airline ever made it right as far as I heard.

 

[sidheshooter]

^^^Good lord, is that right? Unbelievable. $15k is not chump change; that's lawsuit territory.

 

[MoMatt]

TSA took my knife!

Fixed the title for you.

"The airlines" have nothing to do with the incredible incompetence of checkpoint security, other than being somewhat willing accomplices. They are just doing business under federal regulations.

The TSA is a federal entity created under ****** * **** and is the most disgusting waste of tax payer resources in the history of our country.

As a professional pilot, this organization humiliates and discourages me every day I work. I can't say I'm surprised. I wouldn't waste your time with chasing down the airline you flew on. You'd be better off writing your congressman to reform the DHS and adding a 4 year degree and a clean criminal background as a prerequisite for hire at the TSA. But that's just my rant.

 

[JTW Jr.]

Ken had 12 custom one of a kind knives stolen from his luggage sometime between Hawaii and California. Secondary market value and easy $15K , most likely closer to $20K.

This was in 10/2006 , neither TSA or United has resolved this , and he is still battling with them for a resolution. So sometime between his bag being checked in Hawaii and coming back into his control at the luggage carousel , the knives were stolen.

This was the poster passed around at the Plaza Show that year:

 

[Bobson]

Deleted.

 

[BullRunBear]

My wife and I will not fly anywhere. Period! At the top of the list is the criminal arrogance, incompetence and greed of the TSA. If I want that kind of treatment, I'll look up some aging Gestapo officers. I won't travel without a means of self-defense whether it's with a firearm, knife, or belaying pin.

My brother-in-law is an airline pilot and is supposedly safer because of the TSA. Even he has nothing good to say about them.

I'm sorry for those of you who have no choice but to fly.

 

[bomberbill357]

If your knife is missing it's theft. Report it to the police in the airport. File a complaint with TSA and the airlines. Go online and report it to the TSA Inspector General's Office. And lastly have proof you owned the knife. You're probably not the only one and those dummies think they can get away with it. Don't let them get away with it! Don't just get mad, do something about. Supposedly the TSA Administrator is a real straight shooter but his agancy ain't.

 

[hso]

This is not a thread for ranting about TSA or airline travel.

A person, or persons, stole the knife and the TSA or the Airline didn't take anything in this case. Someone who had access to the bag was a thief. Considering the number of keys to TSA locks floating around airports you should always consider your luggage subject to being opened at any time from when you see it last to when you see it again.

 

[mdauben]

My wife and I will not fly anywhere. Period!

I myself avoid it whenever possible. I'll be driving 10 hours to visit family for Thanksgiving but that's better than subjecting myself to flying IMO.

As far as the OP's problem, unfortunately the airlines deny compensation or provide pennies on the dollar for stolen property. These days when I am forced to fly for work, I simply don't check anything in my luggage that I'm not willing to lose, as there is no guarantee it will be there when I arrive.