[akluna]

When I opened my luggage at home after arriving at my destination, my personal belongings were all messed up, stuff that was neatly packed was unpacked, a ziplog bag (with shampoos, conditioner, and other liquid personal care products) had been opened and NOT CORRECTLY CLOSED, so shampoo got out and several clothes were wet (this never happened before, I know how to pack really well), and my toothbrush was missing along with its case. It was pure luck that liquid didn't get to some some papers and a paper box set I had there. What if I had a bottle of wine there and they didn't repacked correctly? (btw, I never ONCE broke any bottles I transported because I know how to pack them right).

It was clear the luggage had been opened, and with not much care. There was no TSA notice. I also never had a problem with TSA opening my luggage, they always put stuff back in the same way I packed. I suspect this was Frontier irregularly opening it. I know it sounds very minimal, but it shouldn't be since it's a privacy issue. And specially now that we pay to check in our bags. The toothbrush I lost was bought in Brasil and I don't
have a way to replace it here in the US. Along with the case, it probably cost the same amount I paid to check in the luggage ($15.00). If they bother to charge me that per luggage, I do bother in wanting a refund for their negligence.

I called Frontier, they didn't even apologize; only recorded the complaint. They also said they have no reason to open my luggage and that the TSA sometimes open luggage and do not put the NOTICE in before closing it. I always flew American before and never had a problem like this.

End of the story: there's nothing no one can do about it. TSA said if there's not a notice, it's not them. Frontier says they don't open luggage.How much injustice do we have to put up with, specially when we are paying for a service! I think I'm done with Frontier.

[azstar]

How can you prove it was the airline, not TSA? You can't. Baggage handlers rarely have the time or ability to open bags and go through them while they're working. All airports have airport police who routinely watch for things like that. I won't say theft never occurs, but TSA has far more opportunity to open baggage privately than the airline does.

[akluna]

Obviously I CAN'T prove anything. That's the problem. SOMEBODY opened my luggage and messed up the interior, lost my toothbrush and let my shampoos leak. That's not pleasant, specially when you're supposed to be receiving good service because you paid for it.

[azstar]

I don't get it. What "service" did you pay for that you didn't get? You got your bag, right? How do you know that the zipper didn't get opened a little on the journey from the conveyor belt to the plane and your toothbrush fell out? How do you know that turbulence didn't jostle your stuff around in a loosely packed suitcase? Of course, nobody should have intentionally opened your bag, but you can't expect the contents to arrive as perfectly placed as when you packed the bag. Suitcases get tossed around. Air pressure can cause the contents of plastic bottles to explode. Why are you condemning the airline??

[akluna]

For you to know what I'm talking about you'd have to be me and be there when I opened the bag. So, you either believe me or you don't; but you can't know what you didn't see:
The bag was not loosely packed, much on the contrary.
Compared to ALL the other times I traveled, I've never seen my luggage arriving so messed up inside, with things unpacked in a way the jolts can't do. It never happened before that the ziplog open, because once a DOUBLE ziplog is closed pretty much only hands can open it.
I think I'm done with this thread. Thanks for your "valuable" input all.

[azstar]

The only point I'm making is that you are assuming the airline did it. You can't prove they did.

[IND2009]

Originally Posted by azstar

How can you prove it was the airline, not TSA? You can't. Baggage handlers rarely have the time or ability to open bags and go through them while they're working. All airports have airport police who routinely watch for things like that. I won't say theft never occurs, but TSA has far more opportunity to open baggage privately than the airline does.

you are so incorrect on this statement, I could tell you stories about baggage handlers, seen it with my own eyes.

[Jetliner]

Could be either way, however if the TSA had to inspect your bag, then they have to remove all of the contents for manual inspection. They don't always get things as they were. They also sometimes run out of the notices or simply forget to put one in. Keep in mind that all it takes is a couple items in your bag laying just the right way to look odd on the xray, and it has to be opened. And I have seen cases where they found an item on the floor that had fallen off the table after bags were gone.

The other thing is, the airline does have the right to open your bag if needed for security purposes. And before anyone tires to say 9/11 as an excuse - this has always been the case. If your bag is vibrating, we must find out why. You stated your toothbrush was missing - was it a battery powered one? I've had to open many bags in my time, and almost always it was either a toothbrush or an electric razor. Once or twice I came across other items, but you get the idea.

It's true that it could have been an employee of the airline up to no good, but I don't think anyone would really be interested in stealing a used toothbrush.

[IND2009]

Originally Posted by azstar

How can you prove it was the airline, not TSA? You can't. Baggage handlers rarely have the time or ability to open bags and go through them while they're working. All airports have airport police who routinely watch for things like that. I won't say theft never occurs, but TSA has far more opportunity to open baggage privately than the airline does.

ABC News is running a video about theft of luggage contents. ABC's -based affiliate focused on IAH and CO, but noted that theft is on the rise at other as well.

http://www.yahoo.com/s/1051991

[Jenny McIntyre]

I just got back from a trip on Frontier where the ticket agent forced me to check my backpack that I had packed and intended to carry on. He insisted the flight was full and there would be no room in over heads, of course there was plenty of room once I was on the flight! He gave me no chance to get anything out and charged me $15 dollars. I was very upset but there was a line growing behind me and I had to get to my gate. Once I got to my destination and found my 6o gig video i pod I had packed several layers below clothes had been stolen. They employ theves and there is no recourse as they don't cover any electronics! What a scam! What an insult to pay 15 bucks to get riped off! Those of you who are defending these bagage handelers don't know what you are talking about!

[PHXFlyer]

Originally Posted by Jenny McIntyre

I just got back from a trip on Frontier where the ticket agent forced me to check my backpack that I had packed and intended to carry on. He insisted the flight was full and there would be no room in over heads, of course there was plenty of room once I was on the flight! He gave me no chance to get anything out and charged me $15 dollars. I was very upset but there was a line growing behind me and I had to get to my gate. Once I got to my destination and found my 6o gig video i pod I had packed several layers below clothes had been stolen. They employ theves and there is no recourse as they don't cover any electronics! What a scam! What an insult to pay 15 bucks to get riped off! Those of you who are defending these bagage handelers don't know what you are talking about!

How would a baggage handler know that the iPod was buried under layers clothing? This would suggest that baggage handlers have all sorts of time to randomly dig through bags on the off chance they'll find something of value. TSA, on the other hand, x-rays every piece of checked luggage. Hmmm, who do you think was to blame?

[Gromit801]

I seem to recall the recent arrests of some baggage handlers who were going through bags and stealing stuff. I can't remember the airport, but they worked for Delta.

Baggage handlers do have time to go through some bags, don't think otherwise. This is why I advocate the TSA security locks. If your bag comes back with missing stuff, but the lock is in place, hmmmmm. Guess what? Or if the lock is missing? Baggage handlers won't take the time to find bolt cutters to rifle a bag, they'll just grab the next easy one.