Tam’s Think Tank

This is a sad and upsetting situation.  You give a guy a really nice, collector’s edition, Leatherman.  He loves it.  He packs it in his luggage, luggage he can’t lock, and trusting the TSA workers, he checks said baggage with said collector’s edition knife (along with another leatherman and a nice folding pocket knife… all presents he and his lovely fiance received for Christmas), and the bastard TSA agents steal the knives.  Steal them.  No question.  No doubt.  Stolen.  Right out of their can’t lock them bags.  Unbelievable.

Here’s the thing… they are supposed to have all this security to protect us.  I get that.  I even really appreciate it.  I never complain about waiting in line.  I never even complain about not being able to take along my larger than 3 oz bottle of shampoo in the carry on.  Some of it is an inconvenience, but I don’t mind.  I don’t think it’s ridiculous.  I mean hey, what’s the alternative right?  They don’t check, and something terrible happens.  So don’t go thinking I’m one of those complainer types.  I’m not.  But this… this has me incensed.

They are, as I said, supposed to be keeping us safe.  They are supposed to be keeping us protected.  They are NOT supposed to steal from us.  To make us feel like our property is not secure in their hands.  And what’s worse… we have no choice in matters.  It’s not like we can lock up our bags to keep them out and keep our stuff safe, from them.  We can’t.  It’s not allowed.  So every time we take a trip, travel anywhere, we basically say to them… here, here’s my stuff, go ahead, it’s free.  Take it.  We can’t stop them.  We can’t carry it on.

Our options…  we can not take our items (hard option when you travel for the holidays and receive gifts you want to take home) or we can ship them.  This is what they say… you should ship your items.  OK, so let me get this straight.  We can’t trust you, so we have to ship our items… which costs money.  Loads of money if you’re traveling out of the country.  And it’s not as if ticket prices are inexpensive as it is.  The price to fly anywhere, let alone Europe, is high.  It’s tough to just get the funds together to buy the ticket.  Now we also have to ship every little thing we don’t want ripped off by the airport “security”.  That’s crap.

I don’t know what the answer is to this… but I’m angry.  You should be too.  This could happen to you.  This could happen to anyone.  It’s aggravating.  It’s maddening.  It’s frustrating.  It’s wrong.  I guess that’s what it comes down to.  It’s wrong.  Plain and simple.  I’m disgusted.  I’m disappointed.  I’m wondering what the number is for FedEx.  I have to travel in May.  I think I might have to ship my entire bag to England.  It’s the only way to be sure.