Luggage Theft Rates Climb

Do you pack valuables in luggage that will be checked? There could be a chance they will not be there when you arrive at your destination. The months of December, July and August have the largest amount of claims for thefts from checked luggage.

Fliers should be careful of what they pack in luggage that will be checked. Any items of value and medication are not a good idea to be packed in checked luggage. Records that have been released to the Free Press from the Transportation Security Administration report from 2002 to 2006 the claims for valuables that were stolen is nearly $1 million. There were 1,560 reports of missing items. Some of the items reported were jewelry, digital cameras, laptops, cell phones, clothing and medication. According to passengers most items were stolen after luggage was handed over to airline or TSA workers. According to one passenger he had packed his digital camera at the bottom of his bag with it buried in his clothes but was missing when he arrived at his destination. Once your luggage leaves your hands both airline employees and the TSA workers who screen all luggage have access to it. Even if you use locks that are approved by TSA those who screen the luggage have a master key to open your bags. After your luggage has been screened airline employees load and unload the luggage onto planes At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the nations 11th largest airport, TSA has paid out more than $142,000 in claims and settlements. The claims that were reported amounted to almost $1 million. The TSA and the airline usually share the liability paying 50/50 it it isn't determined where the theft occurred. Detroit Metro has 842 security officers of those eleven have been fired for theft. In 2004 four of them were federally prosecuted for stealing and reselling laptop computers and other items from passengers' luggage. If you want to check your airport or one that you are flying to go here