George,

Joan Schatzman's arguments and reasoning are right on target, and we can all sympathize with what happened. But there's another question to raise.

Joan discovered the theft "When I opened my bag several hours later at my destination ..." This raises the possibility the theft occurred after TSA personnel were finished, either during handling at the arrival airport by non-TSA baggage handlers, or between the airport and the bag's eventual destination. There's no way to know.

What's needed is a way of luggage locking that allows TSA to pry, but no one else. And until we have that, I guess we have to check for valuables right there within a few feet of the luggage carousel when the airline gives the bags back. It's the only way to be sure the loss occurred before leaving the airport and not after.

Back in the golden age we traveled by ship using heavy leather or wooden luggage with sturdy locks. Very safe. But as air travel became popular, so did lightweight nylon suitcases. People like me who didn't know better stored this anemic baggage in the hold aboard ship.

That's where inquisitive crewmen would have 4 to 6 days and nights at sea to slit open nylon bags and reach around with grubby hands, seeking valuables.

One of those bastards has the gold Le Coultre wristwatch grandpa gave me back when I turned 13. It had great sentimental value, though nowhere near the commercial value of the stunning new Swiss chronograph on my own grubby wrist that wasn't declared.

Rey Barry (Electronic mail, April 3, 2008)