TSA stole my trophy!!!

[colonel00]

Ok, ok, that was a bit dramatic. However, I did have something come up missing from my checked luggage after returning from Alaska yesterday. While fishing I caught a silver salmon that had a radio transmitter in its belly. During the process of removing my hook, the fish regurgitated the transmitter so I kept it after releasing the fish. I called it in and I was told I could keep it so I figured it was a neat memento from the trip. Anyway, I had it in one of my checked bags and it was missing when I got home. In hindsight, I can see how it would be an item of interest to a screener but that is why I didn't carry it on. Anyway, there wasn't anything in the duffel bag saying that TSA had been in it (while I did have a not in my rod case) but I have unpacked everything and it is gone. I have left messages at the Fairbanks TSA office but being the weekend I assume they are gone.

Does anyone have any experience with having items taken by the TSA and any tips on possibly getting it back? It isn't a huge deal but it is something that may never occur again so I would like to have it if possible. Also, if they did take something, or even got into the bag, shouldn't they have left a note saying they did?

 

[IdyllwildArcher]

Had an electric razor taken. It was right on top of my clothes when you unzipped the bag so I knew I'd been ripped off as soon as I opened my bag. I was in college at the time and really couldn't afford another one. I was pissed. They basically told me I was SOL and that I could fill out a form that they'd put into a file somewhere.

 

[Ray]

By law if they open a bag they have to leave a pamphlet. From FAI your bag was x rayed by TSA and probably not any place else. File a claim as that device has about a $100 value. And call the FBI anchorage office. TSA is federal and the FBI is the agency that looks into them. File a claim with your airline as well.

 

[JWP58]

For the love of God, do anything and everything you can to hold those crotch grabbers accountable.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I've never had anything stolen from TSA, but a few years back I flew down to Kodiak for a hunt and had packed a $60 bottle of whiskey (very carefully and with a lot of cushion surrounding it) in one of my drybags. TSA went throught the bag and repacked it with the bottle on the very top (right on top off my sleeping bag) and nothing to protect it. Needless to say, the top broke off the bottle and all the whiskey leaked down and soaked my sleeping bag. So not only did I loose my $60 bottle of whiskey but had a very wet, reaking of booze, sleeping bag to start my trip off. I was very pissed off and jumped through all the hoops with writing up a big letter, filling out all the paperwork, and several phone calls to TSA. All of it got me nowhere, not even an apology from TSA.

 

[Shrek]

I do believe that is a tracking Beacon and you have all the info needed to track it if it's still live. Please do file a claim and call the FBI along with you senator and congressman. First the tsa and fbi then representatives. If you can get a representative to ask the tsa and fbi about your claim then someone at the tsa and fbi has to actually look at it and reply. Spoon fed all the Iinfo and pushed by a rep they might actually do something about it.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Call whoever did the tracker and see if they can tell you where it is?

 

[colonel00]

Had an electric razor taken. It was right on top of my clothes when you unzipped the bag so I knew I'd been ripped off as soon as I opened my bag. I was in college at the time and really couldn't afford another one. I was pissed. They basically told me I was SOL and that I could fill out a form that they'd put into a file somewhere.

Yeah, I'm afraid that any effort will be all for not.

By law if they open a bag they have to leave a pamphlet. From FAI your bag was x rayed by TSA and probably not any place else. File a claim as that device has about a $100 value. And call the FBI anchorage office. TSA is federal and the FBI is the agency that looks into them. File a claim with your airline as well.

Thanks Ray. I will look into these options.

For the love of God, do anything and everything you can to hold those crotch grabbers accountable.

Usually I have had good experiences with the TSA even when it can be a pain. However, I do agree that there should be some accountability.

I've never had anything stolen from TSA, but a few years back I flew down to Kodiak for a hunt and had packed a $60 bottle of whiskey (very carefully and with a lot of cushion surrounding it) in one of my drybags. TSA went throught the bag and repacked it with the bottle on the very top (right on top off my sleeping bag) and nothing to protect it. Needless to say, the top broke off the bottle and all the whiskey leaked down and soaked my sleeping bag. So not only did I loose my $60 bottle of whiskey but had a very wet, reaking of booze, sleeping bag to start my trip off. I was very pissed off and jumped through all the hoops with writing up a big letter, filling out all the paperwork, and several phone calls to TSA. All of it got me nowhere, not even an apology from TSA.

Yeah, as stated above, I am skeptical that anything will come of it and I hate to waste more time than it is worth. I may give the Biologist (I assume that is what he is) a call an see if maybe there is an extra one he can send me as a replacement.

I do believe that is a tracking Beacon and you have all the info needed to track it if it's still live. Please do file a claim and call the FBI along with you senator and congressman. First the tsa and fbi then representatives. If you can get a representative to ask the tsa and fbi about your claim then someone at the tsa and fbi has to actually look at it and reply. Spoon fed all the Iinfo and pushed by a rep they might actually do something about it.

Call whoever did the tracker and see if they can tell you where it is?

From what I gathered in talking with the biologist on the phone, they are short range transmitters. They have listening stations setup on some of the rivers and they also do fly-overs to record movements. Unfortunately I don't think these are strong enough to broadcast any great distance. Plus, the biologist's office is in Palmer and fish are on the Susitna/Chulitna river system (this is all down closer to Anchorage for those not familiar with Alaska) while I flew out of Fairbanks.

 

[chippewawarrior]

In my experience, persistence (and patience) is key. I had a knife removed from a checked bag. I had one of those TSA special locks, but there was no note. So, it was obvious someone with the TSA was involved. It took forever, but I finally got satisfaction. It took mind numbing kindness as well. I was constantly guided from one dead end to another. The FBI was suddenly very helpful after a local TV station got involved trying to make some "news" out of it. Continue to beat the bushes until you get an answer in one way or another.

 

[MatSuDano]

Sons o' b&#$#es broke the guides of one of my fishing rods between Anchorage and Prudhoe Bay last year when they yanked it out of the travel tube it was in. Wasn't worth all the paperwork and phone calls and hoops you have to jump through to file a successful claim to get reimbursed. I ate that one. Still sore about it. Missed out on half the Arctic fishing season. Boo

 

[Brock A]

Man that sucks! I had TSA rip the foam out of my quiver on 1 flight this year. Flight #2 Caused me a 45 minute delay checking my bags because my bow case looked like a "firearm" and then on a 3rd flight my hands tested positive for explosive going through security and they swabbed EVERYTHING in my bag including binos, rangefinder & release. Giant PIA.

 

[Bowhuntr64]

For the love of God, do anything and everything you can to hold those crotch grabbers accountable.

That's funny!

 

[colonel00]

Well, I do have some good news I guess. While I haven't been able to reach the TSA office in Fairbanks as of yet, I did call the biologist and he said he would send me a replacement. I have no idea if it will be the same design but I guess it is still representative of the lost unit. I will still continue to call the Lost and Found number found here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/airport-lost-found-contacts

Anyway, looking at the TSA claim form, it looks like they just want a monetary value for the lost item. Will the claim process really have a chance at returning the missing item or will they just cut me a check? If there isn't a reasonable chance of getting the transmitter back then I really don't know that I want to pursue the process further for a few bucks.

 

[MTNRCHR]

I'd say it was worth about $1000.

 

[mtswampfox]

Would be priceless to see the dirt bags face that stole it , if the tracking still worked and could hunt him down

 

[AK Troutbum]

Anyway, looking at the TSA claim form, it looks like they just want a monetary value for the lost item. Will the claim process really have a chance at returning the missing item or will they just cut me a check? If there isn't a reasonable chance of getting the transmitter back then I really don't know that I want to pursue the process further for a few bucks.

Trust me, it makes no difference. Hell will freeze over and pigs will fly before you ever see a check from TSA, regardless of the amount.

 

[colonel00]

Yeah, I hear ya and that is why I am hesitant to waste any effort in the process.

I did finally get someone on the phone from the Fairbanks TSA office but the dialog was as expected. They said there wasn't any log they could find of anything being confiscated. The lady I talked to was nice enough and seemed to be truly empathetic. She said she would check around and speak to the folks that worked the night I flew out. I guess that is better than nothing but I still don't expect much from the effort.