What do you do if you think a TSA inspecter stole from a suitcase?

[haele]

The kidlet went to visit her mother over the summer and came back without her DSlite, which she had packed in her suitcase going out. It's not at her mother's and she doesn't remember if she even had it when she got there (due to all the trips and projects her mom had set up as soon she landed). Her suitcase had been opened and checked either in San Diego or at the layover in Houston on the way out.

So, if her mom still can't find it after three weeks now, do we make a claim? And is it to the airline (Contenental) or to the airport? Her grandmother got it for her this last Christmas, and it's not cheap...

Haele

[pitohui]

1. you have no recourse

i was told that i had to file my claim at the airport before i ever removed the bag from the area

who does that? NO ONE!!!!

3 weeks later, all you're going to get is a sorry charlie but there's no evidence you didn't lose the item after it left the airport

in future if it's important put it in carry on or else open your bag and check the contents BEFORE leaving the airport

tsa NEVER pays any claims but if you had checked the bag IMMEDIATELY after pick up in baggage claim and filed a report with continental "maybe" you would have received compensation, but after 3 weeks? you're screwed

and i don't think it's fair either but that's what happened to me :cry:

[LeftyMom]

2. Bag claims never get paid.

An airline destroyed my bag itself (it looked like they'd run it over with heavy equipment- there were big black smears on it like tire marks, the frame was bent and the zipper split open) I claimed it before I left the airport (which was a nightmare- the girl in the claim office seemed to be having a nervous breakdown) and I never did get paid for the damned thing.

[kentauros]

3. If it's an option, in the future maybe consider shipping your things ahead of you.

I have heard of people doing that via UPS, FedEx or whatever and none of it has to go through TSA or other inspections. And you then have recourse if they lose or damage it :)

[alarimer]

4. I never pack valuable things in a checked bag because I assume it will be stolen or broken.

I do not trust those TSA goons at all.