The Nightmare Before GAFilk

[figmo]

I was at San Jose International Friday morning in line to go through the TSA checkpoint for gates C9-C11. It was around 10:50am.

I entered the checkpoint, pulling my laptop out of its case and putting it in a separate bin, putting my coat into another bin, my carry-on in another, and Lady's Sherpa bag into another. The agent then told me to put my wallet into a bin, so I did. I then walked Lady and myself through the metal detector. We set it off and were instructed to remain behind it. As I stood there, my wallet came off the conveyor belt. I pointed and gestured, "There's my wallet!"

The agents told me I couldn't get it then because I had to stay behind the line. Passengers continued to go through. By the time I got through the metal detection, my wallet was no longer there. The agents, instead of searching the rest of the people behind the checkpoint for my wallet, kept searching me. They wouldn't let me call 911, saying "We are the "airport police." I suspect it was what they call an "inside job" (that is, one of the TSA agents stole it themselves). Inside my wallet was my driver's license, social security card, my ATM/Visa card, my health plan card, and assorted discount cards for various stores.

As a footnote, since then my wallet hasn't turned up, and today I got a call from a bill collector for a credit card I've never owned. The identity theft has already begun. :-(

Comments

[johno.livejournal.com]

That really sucks.

I'm sure the investigation will move quickly when you mention that your station does regular "How is the TSA doing?" segments....

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Dream on. :-(

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Argh!

Oh, that's *horrible*!

[shannachie.livejournal.com]

That's really annoying. I think I should write an extremely nasty letter to the head of the airport police. Even if their main concern is terrorism prevention they should not aid and abet theft by mere carelessness.

[aliza250.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's utterly horrible.

And I agree with the comment above - it's definitely a story that you should get on the air. Having your wallet stolen because airport security wouldn't let you get it off the conveyor belt is exactly the kind of stupidity that makes people decide to drive or take the bus.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

The assignment editor on duty that morning didn't think it was a newsworthy story.

It turns out to supposedly be the first time such a theft has happened (at the TSA checkpoint) according to the TSA and the SJ Police.

[skreeky]

Yes, but was there actually a report filed on YOUR case? If not, next time will also be "the first time this has ever happend..."

[figmo.livejournal.com]

I had to wait till Sunday to file the report (stupid TSA jerks) with SJPD.

My case number is 04-011-1081.

[aliza250.livejournal.com]

Please don't get pissed off at me for saying this, but I always put random pocket stuff into my carry-on before going through a security checkpoint. Out of sight, out of larcenous little mind.

Do you mind if I post a pointer to this outrage in my own journal?

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Who's pissed? Hindsight is 20/20. I should've put my wallet somewhere else. Next time I will.

[firecat]

Grr. Cancel everything in your wallet immediately and call all three credit agencies to put a fraud alert on record. (Hard-won knowledge, my wallet was stolen in September, and I'm still dealing with fraudulent charges.)

[figmo.livejournal.com]

I just learned this morning about calling the credit agencies. Will do.

There wasn't much in my wallet to cancel, so it's been done (only one card).

[lothie.livejournal.com]

My GOD, I can't believe that. I mean, I'm sure it happened, but CHRIST.

[slfisher.livejournal.com]

Man, that sucks. I just finished a plane trip myself and that's a big fear of mine; I was insisting that my laptop be in the last bin, for example.

I also tend to keep my wallet, phone, and all other metal things in the pocket of my jacket, so I can just remove the jacket and send it through.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Next time I will put the wallet in the jacket pocket (assuming it fits).

[dglenn.livejournal.com]

On the one hand I'd like to see the idjits who let this happen get sued. On the other hand, persuing that would probably be a hundred times as much aggravation as the theft itself is.

I don't know...

[judith-s.livejournal.com]

I think the possibility of filing a small claims court suit against the TSA for deliberately letting someone walk off with your wallet might have some entertainment value. Of course, it requires someone with more time/energy/sadism that Lynn.

Re: I don't know...

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Small claims court doesn't take a lot of time. Unfortunately, all it does is give you a "hunting license" for your money.

[skreeky]

This sucks ass and doesn't surprise me a bit.

A few months ago (I'm not going to hunt down the article now), I remember TSA held a woman for searching while her 3-year-old wandered off, and wouldn't let her go get him because she had to stay behind the line.

For some reason I tend to set off metal detectors (I used to blame my fillings), and seem to spend a lot of time screaming for my traveling companion to come get my purse from where it's sitting temptingly on the end of the belt. I'm never allowed to go get it.

Assholes. They really SHOULD get sued. No way is this the first time.

And another thing!

[skreeky]

Why exactly is it they can't check the tapes running in all those highly touted security cameras??? (Oh, I imagine there's some mumbo jumbo about jurisdiction and due need and privacy, as if the government actually intended to protect anybody's privacy.)

Re: And another thing!

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Several of the passengers waiting at the gate (who'd passed through the checkpoint) and I had suggested that. None of us know why they hadn't.

Given that I was travelling with a dog and came up with a Smarte Carte, I was highly conspicuous going in. There was no excuse for their mishandling of me.

[happyfunpaul.livejournal.com]

*Sympathies*.

Grr grr grr.

[poltr1]

That sucks majorly. You didn't even get a chance to see the perp who lifted it.

Keep us informed of the progress of this case.

These are the times where I'd want to defy the TSA goons and step over the line (in more ways than one). And for that, I'd probably be marked "High Risk" and be escorted out of the airport, in handcuffs.

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Ugh! Poor you!! Hugs. Hope you can get things straightened out asap!

[bardling.livejournal.com]

That sucks majorly. Hope you get it sorted without any further negative consequences, having one's wallet stolen and needing to replace all those things is quite enough hassle all by itself.