Airport Security Not So Secure
posted 5:58 pm Tue February 12, 2008 -
Airport officials say passenger on passenger theft happens daily as countless travellers file through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints across the country.
According to the police report, it appeared the suspect removed Hasse's watch from one of the small plastic bins on the conveyer belt, then slipped it into his pocket."With people grabbing their purses and their backpacks and all that, its very easy to just reach into these bowls," says Haase.At the three Washington area airports, TSA records indicate 130 claims in 2007 for items potentially stolen at the checkpoints, totaling nearly $90 thousand dollars in alleged losses. Airport police say 23 checkpoints thefts were reported to them at Dulles and Reagan last year.
When flyers were asked "Do you give that any thought when you are going through the security checkpoint line?
"Its one of the reasons I don't travel with a laptop," said Cynthia Cyrus.
Alfy Ospina responded "I put my more personal things towards the back knowing i'll be out of security at that point."
"You just assume everybody's there to travel and nobody's there to pickpocket," said Anthony Mims.
Hasse ended up as one of the lucky passengers who didn't become a victim, when he again ran into the man who took his watch on the way to his flight.
'I said we can handle this two ways, you give me my watch back and I catch my plane or you're going to jail," Hasse stressed. The man gave Hasse back his watch, but not every passenger will be so lucky.
TSA says the best way for any flyer to protect themselves against any thefts is by putting your valuables; your wallet, blackberry, cell phone etc. inside your carry-on bag and close it up before going through security.
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