Phx,
Not sure there is any evidence that TSA are "more likely" to steal than airline employees. Both sets of staff have been caught and prosecuted for theft.
Sadly, the sad truth for this traveller is that staff at the airports are not to be trusted, and therefore nothing valuable should be packed in the luggage. Airports seem to be havens for thieves and liars. As it was an international flight, I am sure that the rules which take precedence are those of IATA rather than the airline themselves. You may wish to just check if there is any remedy that way.
On the issue of filing your claim being timed out... if you wished to pursue the matter in court (I would not advise it, I think your case is too weak to prove who stole it); it is possible you could get a court to accept that you had taken reasonable steps to file a claim under the circumstances. You would only be able to do this however, if you could get a copy or prove somehow that you did make a claim through the website. Airlines cannot impose "unfair" terms and conditions which make it impossible or too difficult to meet the conditions they require. Courts have shown some flexibility in this regard.
Your best bet is to not travel on US based airlines when travelling internationally. In general the service they offer is of a lower standard than European and Asian airlines.
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