SwiftVets.com

[LewWaters]

What with the Veterans Protest coming soon, I thought relaying my experience this past weekend might benefit some of you traveling to Washington D.C.

After a wonderful weekend at a friends in Phoenix Arizona, meeting some online friends and getting married, we had to leave to fly home. Since we did the wedding in a Civil War theme, I carried a replica sword and replica pistol. I expected some grief from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) over these items, as they are very authentic looking. However, after close scrutiny of them inside the locked metal carry case, they were not a problem.

After landing in Portland, Oregon, like others on the flight, we go to retrieve our baggage. Since I left with more than I came with, my suitcase was over packed and hard to close, the reason I wasn't surprised to see my suitcase come down the conveyor belt opened and taped shut. I figured it burst open in fight and some baggage handler was kind enough to wrap it in packing tape to keep its contents secure for the flight.

After getting it home and checking the contents, I discovered this was not the case. Everything was scattered and no longer folded, just jammed in best it could fit. Under the first layer, I found a card from TSA that said, NOTIFICATION OF BAGGAGE INSPECTION. My concern led me to go ballistic when I read the card.

On it, it says that my bag was chosen for a random "physical inspection." The card continues, " During the inspection, your bag and its contents may have been searched for prohibited items. At the completion of the inspection, the contents were returned to your bag, which was resealed."

The next paragraph says, "If the TSA screener was unable to open your bag for inspection because it was locked, the screener may have been forced to break the locks on your bag. TSA sincerely regrets having to do this, and has taken care to reseal your bag upon completion of inspection. However, TSA is not liable for damage to your locks resulting from this necessary security precaution."

What made me go ballistic is that I cooperated fully with TSA every step of the way. NO ONE EVER PAGED ME TO ASK FOR THE KEY!!!!!!!!!!! Had they, I would have gladly given them my keys or accompanied them to wherever the bag was to stand by while they opened it and inspected their hearts away, as I did for the locked case containing the sword and pistol.

Not only did they destroy the locks on the bag, instead of simply unhooking the netting securing clothes on one side, they virtually ripped the hooks out of the elastic. Additionally, I kept the copy of the vows the preacher spoke as a keepsake, placing them between the chessboard and chess set my wife's sister brought and gave us. They were wadded up and thrown back in the case.

To say I'm ticked is a gross understatement.

I have expressed my strong displeasure to both the TSA and United Airlines and am awaiting some reply. I understand and am willing to fully cooperate with security measures, but to me, this was totally inexcusable as no one made even the slightest effort to request the key. Time wise, we had about 45 minutes waiting at Phoenix and almost 3 hours at San Francisco for the flights.

I don't know what, if anything, will come of this, but I intend to also complain to every Congressional Representative covering this area and maybe even the Whitehouse.

I figure someone owes me a suitcase, but skeptical as to whether or not I'll see one. Regardless, this is no way for any traveler to be treated.

[fortdixlover]

[carpro]

[Sgt-Keeper]

It happens. There are two points that you made which means that TSA & United are not responsible. Virtually all over every airport are signs warning passengers to unlock theor bags. Too bad you missed them. Second, you did admit to overfilling your suitcase. Second mistake. The TSA baggage handlers, AKA "Bomb Catchers", usually process 100 bags per hour, depending on the airport & flight loads. Some more, some less. The point is, there isn't enough time to repack every bag perfectly. When they are overfilled & need to get on the airplane, then speed is what counts. The other option was to not let the bag go. That really pi**e* off the passenger*. So.... sorry you ran into some possibly inexperienced TSA screeners, but the other option would have been worse for you. How do I know all of this? I worked for that outfit for a year. Hard work, crummy working conditions, not veteran friendly, but I worked with some really dedicated people who cared about the safety of the flying public. Next time, bring an extra bag & don't lock them. You cant imagine the stuff we found in suitcases. By the way, don't believe that it was a random search. The Xray equipment saw something that it read as a possible threat. Better safe than............
_________________
Fix the problem, not the blame.
USMC E5 Nam vet 65-66

[LewWaters]

[ASPB]

Key Travel Tips from the TSA Website. Note especially the information on locks.

[djv]

I find your story suprising.
Almost since 9-11, locks are not allowed at O'hare airport in Chicago. Both American and United did a very breif search inside before the bag was loaded on the conveyor belt. They then used one of the clinch clips to "lock" it.

I didn't really mind except the bag was opened in public and two I have trouble getting the cinch clip since I can't carry a knife or scissors.
_________________
David J V

[DougReese]

I have noticed warnings about not locking bags for quite some time.

On both of my last trips to VN (March & May), I had that TSA notice inside all my checked luggage. Perhaps they check all the int'l luggage.

Anyway, I'd venture a guess you haven't a chance of getting new luggage.

Doug

[LewWaters]

Have we all forgotten that it is a government of the people, by the people and for the people? Kerry, Bush, Democrat, Republican, doesn't make a hill of beans if we surrender our liberty and freedom to any ruling class.

Look around you and watch as we are increasingly herded around like sheep and cattle being led off to slaughter. And now, we just sit back and allow an agency to be established that at the best is inept of much except destruction of private property under the guise of "protecting" us. No one is responsible, liable or held accountable. Rudeness is the order of the day and we just accept it.

We have allowed two ruling classes to be established that basically mistreat us differently. And then, we actively campaign for the type of mistreatment we prefer. As much as I like George Bush, he is but one man. We also have two houses set up filled with disagreeing men and just sit back and idly accept whatever they deem to be law, even though they exempted themselves from those same laws not too long ago.

My broken luggage is actually very minor compared to what we have really allowed to be stolen from us, but it is just another example. And what happens, we blindly support their continued robbery of our freedoms, as long as it our preferred ruling class.

Did we all fight in a war to subject ourselves to being led around like cattle? I didn't. For some examples of how effecient this new "safety net" of our is, read the following article;

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/nation-world/airportinsecurity/breaches/

At the founding of our great country, it was said: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin

With that, I thank you all for allowing me to speak my piece over here and will now bid you all adieu. My continued fight is for our real liberty to be restored, not just choosing my preferred ruling class.

[B_Francis]

[carpro]

[fortdixlover]

[B_Francis]

[Scott]

[fortdixlover]