TSA Corruption Update
that's some great profiling work, sir!
I wanted to give you a quick update on where things stand with me and the TSA (Transportation Safety Administration). So far nothing is resolved. Imagine that?!
I did finally receive a callback from the TSA Customer Service Manager (CSM) at Pittsburgh's international airport. She left a message on my voicemail saying that she would like for me to call her back, and that she would be handling my case personally and "on an individual basis." She said she would help me with the paperwork and getting the matter resolved quickly. When I called her back, she basically took my name, address, phone number, the departure gate I passed through, and the time that I went through; as well as the approximate time of the incident. She then proceeded to give me the TSA.gov website address where I could download the claim forms. (She did not fill out the form for me like she said she would.)
When I started asking the TSA CSM questions about the process of filing a claim and some specific questions related to the claim, she became very guarded and told me that I would have to call the 800-number for TSA Customer Support that's on the claim forms. She then told me to get estimates for the repair. She said that TSA will more than likely NOT replace my laptop but pay me for the damages in order to have it repaired.
I asked the CSM how she was going to help me, and she briefly said she would look for any footage on the cameras... *heavy emphasis here:* "IF THERE IS ANY FOOTAGE I'll attach your information to it and send it to Washington D.C." And that was the call. End of story.
Now I'm really suspicious of the Pittsburgh TSA Office. Are they going to pretend NOT to find any footage? This was Monday that I talked to her, and she hasn't followed-up with me. Make me wonder if this lady is really going to do anything, or is she just blowing smoke up my pant leg? This is all really ridiculous.
*shameless plugs* There were a couple more media outlets that picked up my story:
+ Yahoo! Tech
+ FlyerTalk
+ Ninth Stage
+ InformationLIBERATION
+ The Consumerist
+ DIGG Page 3 (w00t!)
7 comments:
If they pretend to not find anything...file a Freedom of Information Act request for the tape at the time and gate you were passing through. They may deny it for "national security" or "privacy" reasons, but it's worth a shot if need be.
sweet! thanks for the info.
She was probably getting the date, time, gate info so that video would mysteriously go missing...
Actually, I recommend the FOIA request route. You see, when you file a FOIA request, it enables you to RED SOX ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS OF BASEBALL get essential data the government might not give you.
Update us please how this turns out. It is your job (not theirs) to fill out the claim form and send it in, and you should hurry and get that done. I'd actually be a little surprised if they deny your claim on the ground that the incident never happened when you complained about it at the time the way you did. Any witnesses other than TSA officials? You do have the names of the supervisor who threatened you and the worker who pushed your laptop off the conveyor, right? Their web site says you did exactly the right thing at the time, which is bring it to the attention of the supervisor, but you may have been so angry that they decided not to deal with you.
(an attorney whose wife saw your blog lol!)
i was not angry or hostile toward the TSA personnel. and in the "moment" of what was taking place, i looked at the name badge, but 10 mins later when i cooled down i forgot the names. so no, i don't have the names of the individual involved.
i have to take my laptop to circuit city to have them estimate the damage.
i checked with a computer parts store who carries all the various parts to fix or build a computer, and they told me they no longer make the parts for my VAIO (eg: body/case, battery door, etc.). and im considering that TSA will probably NOT replace my laptop.
either way, im working on the claim forms and i'll keep you all updated!
thanks for all the great comments.
re: FOIA
This would work IF the security tape is government property. That function may be performed by a contractor, which may not be required to keep these kinds of records. Good luck.
Post a Comment