[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

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.

TSA screens every checked bag through x-ray and has the authority to hand search any bag. All I am suggesting is that the TSA agents know the contents of the bags. They can see watches, jewelery, electronics and other things of value. They know which bags contain these and which have your run of the mill underwear and socks.

While I agree that baggage handlers have been prosecuted for theft the TSA has way more time and opportunity and can cherry pick bags that actually contain valuables. A baggage handler would have to rely on pure luck of the draw that in the few seconds he had to rifle through a random bag that he might find something of value. Also you never hear the actual numbers of dishonest TSA employees because those incidents are all handled "internally" and details about what happens to those agents are swept under the rug. Remember the TSA falls under the Dept. of Homeland Security, the super-secret agency created by GWB with powers that seem to exceed the confines of our own Constitution!