How did this happen?

[mangosteen]

So, I'm going to the UK in less than two days (i.e. I'll be halfway across the Atlantic 48 hours from now).

In the interest of taking advantage of inefficient markets, I'm shlepping a significant amount of consumer electronics over there. Given the amount and the nature of the electronics, I'm more than willing to declare it and pay VAT... it's still cheaper than getting it locally in the UK.

So, I'm trying to figure out how to pack everything appropriately, with full knowledge that I can't actually lock any of my checked luggage, because the TSA will look at my lock, going "you're 8 days old and I'm the mohel", and it'll all go bad. Because, you see, when you start talking about a couple thousand dollars of easily stealable, easily resold electronics, you start getting a little paranoid.

But who am I really scared of? Well, I gave that a bit of thought, and then it occurred to me. It wasn't the baggage handlers, and it wasn't some opportunistic twit loitering by the baggage claim at Heathrow...

It was the TSA.
The goddamn TSA.
I'm worried about some TSA goon cutting the lock (or unlocking a TSA-approved lock with a TSA-supplied tool), taking something out, re-sealing the bag, and I won't know until I get to Heathrow, by which time a digital camera is sitting in a pawn shop in Southie. Even if I insure everything (which I have), good luck on prying a police report out of the Boston Police... it's not like I can even prove when it happened. I have nightmares about even trying to make a stolen goods claim with the TSA.

As it turns out, I'm just going to unbox everything, re-pack it all in much more compact and proper-fitting enclosures, and carry the expensive stuff on the plane with me (and hope they overlook the whole 9kg weight limit thing).

I guess my main question is... how did the Transportation Security Administration become the place I trust the least not to nick things from my checked luggage? This strikes me as very odd and very disturbing.

Comments

[jetgrrl01.livejournal.com]

My suitcase was searched both ways to and from Baltimore (from Manchester, NH) and I got a nice little note from the TSA that said, "You know! For the security!". Thankfully nothing was taken, but I was wondering what triggered it. I have to assume it was the x-ray seeing lots of little electronic things. A hair dryer, a battery charger, an i-pod charger, a phone charger... they must all add up to looking suspicious. Or something. On the way back I had a couple wedding gifts and they were still there, thank goodness. Still, I'd be concerned, just as you are.