Airport Security Breaks Laptop, Threatens to Arrest Owner
Sat Oct 27, 2007 3:47PM EDT
See Comments (49)
Despite some promises to the contrary, the TSA seems to be continuing its old power-mad tricks. The latest story out of those airport security lines is a real a doozy.
Jake (Rhymes with Cake) writes that a recent trip through Pittsburgh International Airport ended with a TSA guard picking up the tray in which his laptop was riding and, whoops, dropping it on the ground. The damage was obvious, as pieces broke off of it (you can see pictures on his blog), and the upset traveler asked how he could resolve the situation, namely how to file a damage claim. TSA's response: Get out of the security area now or we'll arrest you.
What should he have done? Stay and fight for his rights or move along quietly? The TSA has an amazing amount of power: Even though you've done nothing wrong, it can detain you for as long is it likes. And TSA knows that if it detains you, you'll almost certainly miss your flight. And it knows that you know that. And thus, you'll move along like a good little citizen.
Well, in this case, Jake probably did do the right thing, as on-the-ground guards aren't the best people to take this fight to. In the thick of it, tempers flare, and rational thought rarely rules. The solution: Consumerist notes that TSA has a claims office, reachable at (866) 289-9673 and tsaclaimsoffice@dhs.gov, which is designed to handle just such cases. Forms are available here. This office can also deal with claims of harassment by TSA agents; threatening travelers with arrest for asking about damage to their belongings simply shouldn't be allowed.
Comments on Airport Security Breaks Laptop, Threatens to Arrest Owner
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2 Posted by geraldsalata on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse
Hmmmm,a good way to get a new laptop.Just kidding I think
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3 Posted by osansmitty on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:46PM EDT Report Abuse
See several guys like this every day, gerald hit the nail on the head PC was probably already broke and was just trying to get something for nothing. People come through the lines everyday claimimg loss. One guy said he was missing $500 from a bag TSA didnt even go inside. He started changing his story quickly when they actually started investigating it. Looked at cameras and he said oh it's alright it might be in another bag. Just goes to show there are dishonest people traveling.
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4 Posted by scottiecordes on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:08PM EDT Report Abuse
I cannot say one way or another if they broke his laptop. What I can say, being a former weekly flyer, some TSA agents are on power trips. And they are not even discreet about it. That my friends, IS a fact.
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5 Posted by donnamy@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse
TSA can not detain or arrest anyone. IF his computer was broken by the Officer he should have asked for a Supervisor or Manager. He can always file a claim with TSA by phone or on-line. If it is a false claim the video will tell the tale and he would then be in trouble for filing a false claim. I fly a great amount and have only once had an issue with TSA and the Manager handled it on the spot. Sorry ....no complaints about TSA.......I am still alive.
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6 Posted by cabrobst on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse
We need laws in this country to protect law abiding citizens from abuse by security guards. These people aren't even real police, they should not have the power to violate the constitution. As far as detainment, a few lawsuits should end that practice. I hope this gentleman pursues a lawsuit against these gorillas for damages and the violence of threats.
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7 Posted by michaela12112002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse
During my travels, I've seen more of the TSA abuse rather than people making false claims. I have a good friend that had his laptop dropped by the TSA and the same thing happened - either let us break your laptop or be arrested. Its crazy. Like the shoe thing, I don't know of an explosive that will show up in an x-ray of your shoes, unless you are dumb enough to steal US explosives with the tags. Some airports make you remove your shoes, others don't. Some make you turn on your cameras, others don't. Thinking about it, most agents are just doing their job and some have been helpful but that one smartass offsets a lot of good agents.
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8 Posted by gb720@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:06PM EDT Report Abuse
I would have stayed and fought it right then and there. Filing claims of loss after the fact rarely get the appropriate attention. Go ahead and arrest me for breaking my property and immediately upon my release watch me take this story to CNN, Network news, local news and newspaper that will listen to the story... and they would. There I would be, victim of a power mad egghead with an attitude problem while countless opportunities for the real terrorist to slip right on by.
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9 Posted by fly47472 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse
Most all these low paid flunkys are on a power trip, you have no rights and probaly a crimnal. Free America is history, it's now a police state. When you travel out of the country you will find this out. I live in Veitnam and have many more freedoms than in America.
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10 Posted by solnascent55 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse
l REALLY DON´T KNOW HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN, BECAUSE THEY ARE ALLWAYS NICE TO ME.
1 Posted by agent_jew on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse
There are two sides to every story, and the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. While a collective group hug might feel good to those amongst us that have to make a weekly trek someplace, it doesn't increase the validity to stories from those "in the moment." That being said, there's probably a good deal of truth to what the OP states. There's just too many others like him that use TSA as an easy excuse to get out of responsibilities for their own problems. Around and around it goes...