A new report ranks which airports have the highest number of thefts by TSA agents. Los Angeles International Airport (3) and Orlando International Airport (11), both key gateways to Disney theme parks, made the top 20 list.
Few people are fans of the TSA and that negative perception is unlikely to change with this reports showing how prevalent incidents of theft have become among the TSA employees. While the news is disturbing, it is also a reminder to keep close tabs on your expensive electronics while traveling.
Most people know that electronics should not be left inside checked luggage, but few realize that a significant amount of theft actually occurs at the TSA security checkpoints. Travelers become easy targets while they are temporarily separated from their valuables and distracted by the rushed environment.
Here are a few tips for keeping your items safe during the screening process:
- Put your wallet and phone inside one of your other bags instead of just placing the items alone in a tray for screening. By placing these high value items in a bag, it is more difficult for someone else to quickly grab them when you aren’t looking.
- Watch your belongings as they advance through the x-ray machine. Don’t worry about holding up the line. There is always a wait on the other side while everyone watches for their items to come through. Take your time and make sure your belongings actually head into the x-ray before you step through the scanner.
- If you have the unfortunate luck of getting selected for a secondary screening, keep an eye on your bags as they exit the x-ray and ask the TSA agent to bring the items to you. The last thing you want is for your bags to be left on the table unattended while you are getting a pat down.
Here’s the list of airports with the corresponding number of reported thefts by TSA agents (2002-2011):
- Miami International Airport – 29
- JFK International Airport – 27
- Los Angeles International Airport – 24
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – 17
- Las Vegas-McCarren International Airport – 15
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport – 14
- New York-Laguardia Airport – 14
- Newark Liberty – 12
- Philadelphia International – 12
- Seattle-Tacoma International airports – 12
- Orlando International Airport – 11
- Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport – 10
- Salt Lake City International Airport – 10
- Washington Dulles International Airport – 9
- Detroit Metro Airport – 7
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport – 7
- Boston-Logan International – 6
- Denver International – 6
- San Diego International airports – 6
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport – 5
It would be nice if travelers did not have to protect belongings from TSA employees at the airport. It is a sad reality that you should be worried that items in your checked luggage might be compromised by the people who are there to protect you.
