[MindlessInsanity]

So out of boredom and interest in seeing what others think about security in America I found a neat website where people post stories about their problems with the TSA. Luckily enough for me I've never had such an issue but I found one I thought was entertaining enough to read.

"The following is an exact copy of what complaint I filed online today witht he TSA. My name is redacted.

TSA Incident Report by Passenger XXXX XXX


Filed By: XXXX XXX
Airport: Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Incident: Lost Laptop – SEA Checkpoint #3 – 08/06/2014 – Between 3:30 and 4:30pm


I asked for an opt-out manual screening at the SEA airport checkpoint #3 around 4pm. Before sending my bags through the X-Ray machine I asked for the opt-out from Agent-A (light brown skinned male, whose name and ID was refused to me by agent Greer). Agent-A refused to act, stating that I needed to wait until I was at the x-ray machine before he could call for opt-out.


I placed my items in three totes. First alone was my laptop. Tote # 2 and 3 held my backpack and laptop bag. As soon as I was as at the front of the x-ray machine, Agent-A called for male assist and asked me to step aside.


I waited a very long time, as Agent-A called for assist at least 5 times. No one responded, though I heard another agent in another lane call for male assist once, and never heard it again. I grew concerned as I worried that my totes were sitting unattended on the other side. I felt that Agent-A, was also concerned and he repeatedly called for male assist again.


I asked about my belongings being unattended on the other side, then Agent A called at least 3 more times for male assist. Agent-A tried to rectify the situation by asking another female agent to swap places with him, so he could perform the manual screening.


By the time we got the the other side of the x-ray machines only my last two totes were visible. I was alarmed with my worst fear. I asked Agent-A about my laptop tote. He failed to react quickly, I assume he did not know what to do. I told him to call a supervisor or ask others to start looking for it. He asked for a supervisor many times. No one responded for what seemed like two minutes. My frustration level was growing as I assumed that it was stolen, and that time was an important factor to recovering the laptop.


Finally Supervisor-B (Identified to me as Supervisor Bob Love by Supervisor Greer), showed up. He acknowledged the problem, but did not act in a manner that would address the issue. I was getting irate, and insisted that they look for it. I suggested that maybe it was taken back to the other side of the XRay machines with the empty totes. He stated that I needed to get pat down first before they could do anything. I insisted that they look for my laptop while Agent-A conducts a pat down on me. I think he went to do this.


Supervisor Greer (pregnant), who showed up during this discussion was a TOTAL NIGHTMARE. It seemed like she did everything in her power NOT to acknowledge the problem, even going as far as stating that it was my fault for opting out! She insisted upon looking through my bags to see if the laptop was in them before looking elsewhere. Fearing no choice in the matter, I allowed her to do this.


I asked for a complaint form from Supervisor Greer, as she was not cooperating or addressing my concerns. She was belligerent and argumentative with me, but finally brought to me a form. I asked for her name and badge number of all involved so I would write this complaint. She insisted upon me only having her identified as Supervisor Greer, and the other supervisor as Supervisor Bob Love. I asked how I might refer to Agent A, but she refused and stated that I only needed to know her name. I believe this to be a CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION. I asked if she was wearing a badge. I looked to her other side and found one. I proceeded to transcribe her badge number off of her badge. In what seems like an act of RETALIATION and INTIMIDATION, she asked for my ID and boarding pass. She proceeded to copy my Arizona DL and boarding pass. I am quite CONCERNED about what may have been done with this information, and if I have anything to fear from this. She wrote all my info down on a piece of scratch paper. Am I going to suffer identity theft? She waited for me to give her my complaint card, asking me for it. I told her that I did not trust her with it, and that I needed a blank form so that I could mail it in myself.


My traveling companion was seated just 10 feet away witnessed the entire discourse with Agent Greer.


At no time was it stated to me that that any TSA Agents were looking for my laptop, and addressing my concern. I understand about how mistakes can happen, but there is no excuse for this behaviour of Supervisor Greer to behave in a manner as this. Supervisor GREER did not act to address my missing laptop, and she only stated that I could file a complaint or a claim. Supervisor Greer is not suited to dealing with problem situations, or treating people with respect. Her demeanor is exactly what gives the DHS-TSA such a bad reputation. She should not be in a supervisory role. It is only because of Supervisor Greer that I am writing this formal complaint. I suggest that Agent Greer be sent through some training for how to deal reasonably with people and being effective with problem solving. I believe if you review the audio/video you would see this also.


Agent-A acted in a very concerned and pro-active manner. He thought outside-the-box and acted in a manner to address the anomalous situation. I would like to commend upon him my regards, and suggest that he should be in supervisory position, instead of people like Agent Greer. I believe it was Agent-A acting of his own initiative that finally recovered my laptop.


I fly often for work, I always opt out, and I have never had a bad experience with the TSA until now.


Short List of Complaints:


TSA lost my laptop, and would not attempt to look for it in a timely manner.
No one accepted responsibility for losing my laptop.
Never stated they were sorry, or acted apologetically
Greer stated it was my fault for opting out of the scanner machine
Agent-A called for Male Assist more times than I can count
Many agents were around but doing mostly nothing at all
Greer took my identity information but did not state what will be done with it
Forms I received stated that it expired 1/31/2012


Questions:


My Laptop was outside of my view for more than 10 minutes. TSA agents stated they did not know where it was. I would like to see any video that you have about what happened, and where my laptop was taken. No explanation was given to me as to where my laptop was when I asked.


How can I get infomration on exactly what happened to my laptop when it was missing, and what was done to it?


How can I gain access to all video/audio/documents/emails/electronic records related to this incident?


How can I know how my Arizona DL info was used by Supervisor Greer or other TSA employees?


Am I on a no-fly list now?


What power does Greer have to retaliate against me for filing this complaint?


By: S. R. "
Scarier than I thought after reading this considering what valuables I bring with me the few times I've ever had to get on a plane.

[Eetrab]

I'm not sure if you know this so I'll assume that you don't. A few interesting points to note:

This is highly abnormal of TSA, since the process is usually painless (I know from first hand experience). The fact that this person did an opt-out what what got him in this mess in the first place. Sure it's something that you can do, but for convenience and getting to the terminal in a timely manor, it's not advised. This person also has other opportunities to find out where belongings have gone. TSA has a surprisingly efficient lost and found section, and if your valuables are lost and not recovered, you can bring the incident to court (rather costly though).

This person is probably not telling the whole side of the story and there's probably a reason why some of the agents are acting the way they were. I certainly don't know since I'm reading a copy/pasted post from another internet source that has, by any legal standard, no credibility.

Now to address your signature, which for the record is "Security in America is a joke. Student ID's are constantly lost and can be used to find parent contact info, names, and even addresses. Fight the power." Security is by far anything from a joke, the only reason you think it's a joke is because you're not seeing the full picture. America's security systems include high-tech radar, drones, advanced thermal imaging, X-Ray machines, satellites monitoring the entire world as well as extraterrestrial objects, advanced facial recognition, formidable computer systems, vast swaths of databases containing information on over 300 million people, the CIA, FBI, Secret Service, the list goes on and on. Step back for a second and think how incredible this all is. All this technology, infrastructure, cooperation and extensive planning has affected your life in ways you will probably never know, because it has prevented many really really bad incidents compatible to 9/11. Sure some slip through the cracks, but nothing is perfect. You only notice the bad, because everything else works seamlessly, creating a safe environment you can live in. It's something that is truly amazing.

Excuse any typos.

[eah]

I could believe that story, but, as Eetrab said, it is atypical. With how many people are going through a security gate all the time, something like this is bound to happen. The question is: how often does it actually happen and are you willing to avoid flying because of this small chance?

The real worry I have is with the luggage that goes below the plane. When you reach your destination, you need to be quick to grab your bags off the carousel before someone else does and hope that you don't have similar looking bags as someone else. You're supposed to see that they are in fact your bags, but there are no security checks for stupid people at the airport.

[MindlessInsanity]

Well of course the story could be just a big sham but obviously security has its ups and downs. I haven't had a TSA problem this extreme but that's just me. Also I don't mean security to a high scale of importance like you're showing. I'm not talking about invasions or major threats. I'm talking about stuff that can be used as blackmail or the such. I've seen my fair share of jerk kids at school look up others grades, heck even today. 3rd day of HS and my locer (the dustiest, web loaded, smelliest, clunkiest fricken thing you've ever could imagine) got jammed and I asked faculty who were like "Screw it send a janitor" unlocked it with a master key, so i grabbed my backpack, jacket, and super expensive watch. Could you imagine if I were deranged and that was a hit and run? Didn't show an ID, he didn't ask for an ID and the fact he showed 0 concern is a load of crap. This isn't the first time it's happened either, but that's for another time. Ever since 6th grade I've been given the worst condition locker possible I've ever seen. I keep telling my parents its cause they have something against me for being disruptive but they just won't believe that the system can be "flawed". I even go around my other lockers and notice they work perfect as for smoothness of the spin and not all busted up shape wise. Also, it's inner construct is pretty weak compared to the innards of others. Now tell me for 4 years straight that's not a coincidence. (as for the watch it was a present from my much more successful relative for God knows why he thought that should be given to a young lad my age but I love her anyways)

[MindlessInsanity]

Major snip

Hang on, 9/11 was a "slip up"?

[Eetrab]

Addressing your first post, yes, it may entirely be a coincidence. Stranger things have happened. But since you're the one experiencing that first hand, if you're convinced it's not a coincidence, then it may not be one. It's much harder for me to tell than for you.

And yes 9/11 was a slip up. Or put in more meaningful terms, a catastrophic breach in security.

[Bu1ld0g]

Found your article Jeff.
Funny thing is there is absolutely zero evidence to verify any of this actually happened.
In fact that whole site looks nothing more than a conspiracy theorists den.

[MindlessInsanity]

Found your article Jeff.
Funny thing is there is absolutely zero evidence to verify any of this actually happened.
In fact that whole site looks nothing more than a conspiracy theorists den.

Oh yes master of Google-Fu, Bu1ld0g. So funny. In fact my kidneys are splitting in two and my lungs are being punctured by my ribs as we speak. You can't just read something and live with it? I never said it had evidence to be proven true. Just that it's there and I thought it was worth reading.

[Bu1ld0g]

You posted it in a "matter of fact" fashion Jeff
Maybe you should re-think your thread titles in future?

Have to disagree with it being worth a read, only for those looking for issues with the world.

[Slathalin]

Yeah. As much as I'd like to, I'd have to have some more evidence before believing the story.