Beware Going Through TSA Checkpoints

Been There

Been There

Well-known Member
Location
Florida
Earlier this month a woman went through a TSA checkpoint and was told to remove her diamond bracelet. After placing the bracelet into a dish and allowing it to pass under the x-Ray machine, she walked to the other side to retrieve her bracelet. The bracelet had already cleared the machine, but all that was there was an empty dish. The bracelet, valued at $8000, was missing.

The video was reviewed and it showed a female in a flight attendant’s uniform picking up the bracelet. After closer scrutiny of the video from other cameras, it showed to be a female FA from Republic Airways. As bad as this sounds, I want to add that this isn’t the first time I have read about people getting heisted going through a TSA Checkpoint and it wasn’t always another passenger stealing the item. TSA agents have also been caught to helping themselves to other people’s property. Confiscated Bracelet.
 

To start off with, this flight attendant was not only a thief, she was an idiot. Anyone who works for an airline or airport should know cameras are everywhere. How did she think she'd get away with it?

That said, it's a good warning. If TSA agents request the removal of expensive jewelry before going through the X-ray machine, it's time to request a wand check.

Come to think of it, I don't recall EVER being asked to remove jewelry for TSA, with the possible exception of an inexpensive watch. Maybe people who wear big pieces of jewelry have had different experiences.

An $8000 diamond bracelet should have gone through the X-ray machines just fine. Believe me, the kind of diamond bracelet that's worth $8K would be far from gigantic.
 
I have a large metal plate with 3 inch screws in my back. There's no way I can get through those TSA check points without a lot of grief. It's MY opinion that the TSA exists to give a sense of security to the "little people", and not inconvenience the wealthy ones. At the Tampa airport, I happened to see the long line of passengers taking off their shoes, but at a counter off to the right, a couple came in with 2 carts of baggage and walked right on to the plane. Unchecked. And YES, I've had problems with TSA.
 

travelers should place items such as wallets, phones or large pieces of jewelry in their carry-on bag, not a bin, "to help avoid passenger-on-passenger theft.
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I’ve had my bag go out of sight while delayed by someone else. Frustrating.

The video was sharp and there was a clear image of what the thief looked like. The police understood the urgency in tracking down the man before he was able to fly off."
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fuzzybuddy said:
I have a large metal plate with 3 inch screws in my back. There's no way I can get through those TSA check points without a lot of grief. It's MY opinion that the TSA exists to give a sense of security to the "little people", and not inconvenience the wealthy ones. At the Tampa airport, I happened to see the long line of passengers taking off their shoes, but at a counter off to the right, a couple came in with 2 carts of baggage and walked right on to the plane. Unchecked. And YES, I've had problems with TSA.
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My wife has more steel in her back than the Golden Gate Bridge which makes her unpopular at TSA checkpoints because they have to find a female attendant to pat her down. (-8
 
HoneyNut said:
Maybe they were enrolled with TSA-Precheck or another pre-screened program?
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They flew in from Switzerland, went to the hotel, then changed their mind and decided to fly to New York. They had two of those large baggage trucks filled with at least 30-40 bags, which went right on to the plane. UNCHECKED. Meanwhile, hundreds of others are taking off their shoes. If my 80 year old mother was considered a security risk, what they hell are they?
I do have issues with TSA.
 
HoneyNut said:
Maybe they were enrolled with TSA-Precheck or another pre-screened program?
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HoneyNut said:
Maybe they were enrolled with TSA-Precheck or another pre-screened program?
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I doubt if they would be able to take two carts of luggage through security, even with pre-check. Each passenger is only allowed one piece of carryon that will fit in the overhead bin and one personal item that will fit under the seat in front of them. All other baggage must be checked. I can't think of any other circumstances that allows two carts of luggage onboard, but I do remember a case where we had a person in a wheelchair that was unaccompanied and needed her luggage to stay with her, so we had to strap it to the front closet at the door opening. So, it may be possible somehow, but it's beyond me just how.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
They flew in from Switzerland, went to the hotel, then changed their mind and decided to fly to New York. They had two of those large baggage trucks filled with at least 30-40 bags, which went right on to the plane. UNCHECKED. Meanwhile, hundreds of others are taking off their shoes. If my 80 year old mother was considered a security risk, what they hell are they?
I do have issues with TSA.
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I apologize for being inept about your post, but are you saying they put 30-40 bags inside the aircraft's cabin or did it go underneath in the baggage hold area?
 
Beware Going Through TSA Checkpoints
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Reminds me of when my wife got "busted" for having maple fudge(wrapped in tinfoil) in her luggage. TSA thought it was C4 plastic explosives.

A couple years later she was pulled aside and scrutinized, because she was carrying an expired driver's license. Of course, that's a sure sign of a terrorist, and disguised as a 65 yr. old grandmother. :LOL: Not! World class terrorists always have impeccable ID and documents...always.
 
We had two young girls wanting to come onboard from Los Angeles. Both girls, maybe 18-20 years of age, had two duffle bags each. BY rule, you're only allowed one carryon that will fit in the overhead and one personal item that will fit under the seat in front of you. The one duffle bag went in the overhead bin easily, but the second bag would not go under the seat, even with them trying to cram it under by pushing it with their foot. The FA told them that they would have to check the second bag, which caused them to loudly complain. I happened to be standing at the cockpit door and heard the shouting, so I strolled back to find out what was going on. I told the girls that if they calmed down and acted respectful and treated the flight attendant very nicely, she may allow them to put their second bag in the overhead bin. They both became very calm and very politely asked the FA if they could put their second bag in the overheard bin, which she agreed to allow them to do. I told the girls that when you want something from someone, you don't yell at them and try to intimidate them. That will get you nowhere, especially on a plane. They were very nice to our FA's after that and throughout the trip. When they were deplaning, they thanked me for my help and that's when I found out they were flying to Miami to go to college at the University of Tampa to study Marine Science Biology. They said they were just excited about the trip and starting school, so they acted out of character.
 
oldman said:
We had two young girls wanting to come onboard from Los Angeles. Both girls, maybe 18-20 years of age, had two duffle bags each. BY rule, you're only allowed one carryon that will fit in the overhead and one personal item that will fit under the seat in front of you. The one duffle bag went in the overhead bin easily, but the second bag would not go under the seat, even with them trying to cram it under by pushing it with their foot. The FA told them that they would have to check the second bag, which caused them to loudly complain. I happened to be standing at the cockpit door and heard the shouting, so I strolled back to find out what was going on. I told the girls that if they calmed down and acted respectful and treated the flight attendant very nicely, she may allow them to put their second bag in the overhead bin. They both became very calm and very politely asked the FA if they could put their second bag in the overheard bin, which she agreed to allow them to do. I told the girls that when you want something from someone, you don't yell at them and try to intimidate them. That will get you nowhere, especially on a plane. They were very nice to our FA's after that and throughout the trip. When they were deplaning, they thanked me for my help and that's when I found out they were flying to Miami to go to college at the University of Tampa to study Marine Science Biology. They said they were just excited about the trip and starting school, so they acted out of character.
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Your teaching moment has probably stuck with them from that moment forward. Good for you! 💕
 
Nathan said:
Reminds me of when my wife got "busted" for having maple fudge(wrapped in tinfoil) in her luggage. TSA thought it was C4 plastic explosives.

A couple years later she was pulled aside and scrutinized, because she was carrying an expired driver's license. Of course, that's a sure sign of a terrorist, and disguised as a 65 yr. old grandmother. :LOL: Not! World class terrorists always have impeccable ID and documents...always.
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The TSA goes a bit too far at times. I read part of their training book once and it states that they are not permitted to use their own judgment and must follow the rules per se. With the new driver's license having to be "Real ID" it should speed thing up a bit. Some airports also have readers that will scan an out of date ID and check to make sure it is legit, but if you know your ID is not marked as Real ID or has lapsed, you can also use a passport.

I am curious. What did they do with the fudge?
 
First of all, I would never wear such a valuable piece in a public, likely crowded place. Since they have the thief on camera, hopefully the woman was able to get her bracelet back (or will soon if it's being held as evidence). Secondly, the TSA shenanigans are one reason I refuse to fly anymore. I've read about them detaining a child and an elderly woman in a wheelchair who had to wear a diaper. :mad: My husband was briefly detained once because he....well...looked like a Muslim (which he was). I told him it's a good thing I wasn't there...I'd probably have wound up in jail.
 
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OneEyedDiva said:
First of all, I would never wear such a valuable piece in a public, likely crowded place. Since they have the thief on camera, hopefully the woman was able to get her bracelet back (or will soon if it's being held as evidence). Secondly, the TSA shenanigans is one reason I refuse to fly anymore. I've read about them detaining a child and an elderly woman in a wheelchair who had to wear a diaper. :mad: My husband was briefly detained once because he....well...looked like a Muslim (which he was). I told him it's a good thing I wasn't there...I'd probably have wound up in jail.
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I was thinking the same thing; why wear valuable jewelry while traveling? I always pack away my engagement ring when traveling, because it is an family heirloom.

My SIL is Muslim and gets constantly harrassed at airports.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
a couple came in with 2 carts of baggage and walked right on to the plane. Unchecked. And YES, I've had problems with TSA
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fuzzybuddy said:
They flew in from Switzerland, went to the hotel, then changed their mind and decided to fly to New York. They had two of those large baggage trucks filled with at least 30-40 bags, which went right on to the plane. UNCHECKED.
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Perhaps they were Ambassadors from other countries. Or maybe they were heading to a private airline. As I understand it, they have different rules.

The only thing that is not a perhaps, they were rich.
 
I've never had any problems with TSA, but i do get very annoyed with I.C.E. when walking across the border. They ask the most stupid questions: Like, where are you going ? I have perfect ID and I obviously look American. (blue eyes , tall and blonde) When an American, with American ID, crosses the border, it is none of their business where I am going. Sometimes , just to see what they would say, I lie and say "I'm going to Denver".
PS: I.C.E. at international airports, when entering the U.S. NEVER ask , "Where are you going ?" It only happens when walking into the U.S.
 
When traveling I wear my wedding ring and watch. Any other jewelry is costume and is packed in my carry-on bag.

My husband and I were standing in the TSA line on our way home from Jamaica. We were talking to a young man in front of us who said he'd be pulled out of line and searched, no question, it happens every time. Well, don'tcha know that's exactly what happened, and they took me with him while my husband stood by looking like :oops:. Evidently they can't tell the difference between a little Italian woman and a terrorist. :rolleyes: That's the last time I wore black in the airport.

These days air travel is a nightmare. The only way you could get me anywhere near an airport is to put a gun to my head. 😯🔫
 

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