Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Does the TSA Open Packages?
12-26-2010 | self

Posted on 12/26/2010 3:08:24 PM PST by ottbmare

My brother sent me a carton full of beautifully wrapped and beribboned Christmas packages, most of them containing clothes but a few containing plastic model airplanes for my son. When I opened the carton I found that a number of the packages had been slit up one of the short sides and the side flaps of the box pushed in so that anyone could see what was inside. I could only imagine that this was done for security purposes. Is this standard, now--to slice open Christmas presents and check to see what's inside them? I was a bit shocked, especially since there was nothing electronic or chemical in the carton to trigger a sensor.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: searches; security; tsa; tsapeervs
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last
To: ottbmare

They claim that anything that is a wrapped is fair game for opening.

I returned home recently from a business trip to find that my newly purchased bottle of shampoo w/built-in conditioner was missing. I had purchased it because my business trip was extended and due to that I’d run out. I was really irritated because it’s not a cheap brand and although I know the 3 oz. rule applies to carrying liquids on the plane with you, it doesn’t apply to within checked baggage.

So yes, I guess it’s par for the course these days for them to do whatever it is they want.


21 posted on 12/26/2010 5:03:12 PM PST by leapfrog0202 ("the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery" Sarah Palin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: max americana

It was all in one bag that she checked. I think she learned a lesson.


22 posted on 12/26/2010 5:23:23 PM PST by sheana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: sheana

OK. I was going to say NEVER EVER check-in your electronics. I always hand-carry my laptop, MP3 player etc. Luggage should always be clothes. IF you lose your luggage, they’re just clothes and can easily be replaced. Laptops or I-Pad with private info on them cannot.


23 posted on 12/26/2010 5:31:48 PM PST by max americana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Aroostook25

I agree. Am driving as much as possible. It’s just those drives from texas to Florida , Alabama , and Washington get a little long.


24 posted on 12/26/2010 5:38:20 PM PST by Dick Vomer (democrats are like flies, whatever they don't eat, they sh#t on)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: ottbmare
My brother sent me a carton full of beautifully wrapped and beribboned Christmas packages

Care to return to the thread you started and at least inform us as to what shipping method was used?????

How about the shipping carton itself, you never mentioned that.........Hmmmmmmmm

25 posted on 12/26/2010 5:40:33 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (There's only one cure for Obamarrhea......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: max americana
“OK. I was going to say NEVER EVER check-in your electronics. I always hand-carry my laptop, MP3 player etc. Luggage should always be clothes. IF you lose your luggage, they’re just clothes and can easily be replaced. Laptops or I-Pad with private info on them cannot.”

Even then, how do you keep your equipment in sight? They pull you aside for a hand pat down and your hand carry goes on out of sight.

26 posted on 12/26/2010 5:45:16 PM PST by Truth29
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: xrmusn
I have heard of FedExing or UPSing your luggage too, but it has never been practical for me.

I tend to overpack so I have mailed things to myself through the USPS, to avoid "overload" fees, which are killer. I usually pack a flat cardboard box and

When you've flown a bit then take a road trip, you feel positively free! No worries about what and how you pack, what's "legal" and what's not.

It will never stop bugging me that none of the hoops we jump though make me feel any safer, though, just harrassed.

27 posted on 12/26/2010 5:48:55 PM PST by susannah59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Hot Tabasco

Sorry not to have returned to the thread, I’ve been out of the house for the past few hours.

I checked with my brother. He said he sent the carton UPS and it almost certainly went by air. Also—I forgot this—there was some liquid in the carton, some bottles of a type of soft drink my son loves. If packages are being routinely x-rayed now, that is what may have triggered the search. Though how an inspector would have known the stuff was really a harmless drink without tasting it, I don’t know.

The outside of the carton was sealed with clear plastic packing tape, and it was pretty thoroughly covered so I didn’t notice that the carton had been opened and sealed up again. The evidence of tampering was on the smaller packages on the inside, boxes containing sweaters and other clothes for me and my children. The ribbons weren’t untied and packages weren’t unwrapped. There was just a big slit through wrappings and boxes, with the side of the boxes pushed in to make the contents visible.


28 posted on 12/26/2010 5:58:39 PM PST by ottbmare (off-the-track Thoroughbred mare)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: susannah59; ReverendJames
Did they fly and bring the gifts with them?

No, nobody is flying. They sent me a large carton from Chicago to the DC suburbs, using UPS.

29 posted on 12/26/2010 6:05:03 PM PST by ottbmare (off-the-track Thoroughbred mare)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: hinckley buzzard

A few years ago, we took some all-American foods like Bisquick and Hamburger Helper to some over seas relatives.

The meat loaf mix was nevr seen again; the Bisquick was slit open and we got a little note to that effect.

Of course since we are middle-aged, middle class white peeps, we must have looked suspicious :-/


30 posted on 12/26/2010 6:17:30 PM PST by Cloverfarm (This too shall pass ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: hinckley buzzard

Every time I fly to & from Pittsburgh, PA & Washington,DC.
My bag has been open & if I put the tsa lock on the bag. The lock is cut not unlocked like they are suppose to open. Most of the time the lock is gone they keep them.
Some times there will be a sticker inside or outside they have been open. A trip in Oct lock gone & no sticker.
Its all smoke & mirrows wanting to put up a front like they are doing something. You can see several tsa employes standing around doing nothing.
My husband a retired airline pilot flew in the good days before the nuts took over ....


31 posted on 12/26/2010 6:23:40 PM PST by mendedheart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: leapfrog0202

Mayvbe it was for Troy Polamalu>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaJFnGGECJo


32 posted on 12/26/2010 8:15:31 PM PST by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: ottbmare

I think even before this idiotic strip search and grope search crap started, the TSA could go through gift wrapped packages and open them. When I have flown in the past, even the recent past, I do not gift wrap things. I take the gift bag and tissue with me to wrap when I get to my destination. That said, if things are missing on the other end, get the forms from the TSA and file a loss complaint. I got so ticked 3 years ago when the fools took my TSA approved locks, opened the bags and then just tossed my locks..they were something like 9 bucks each. I filed a complaint, it helps if you have receipts, and I got reimbursed from the loss.
I also know of people who have said things were stolen from them going through security as well as checked bags so the moral of the story is don’t take anything of value.


33 posted on 12/26/2010 8:22:37 PM PST by celtic gal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: susannah59

I have heard of FedExing or UPSing your luggage too, but it has never been practical for me.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Depending what you have to ‘pay’, when you consider they pick it up at your house and deliver it to your destination address.
You have no hassle at the airport with luggage, don’t have to mess with baggage clerks or ‘worry’ your bags are in Cincinnati while you are in Cleveland, and don’t have the ‘worry’ of a pool person going through your luggage while it is in ‘the airlines’ hands.


34 posted on 12/26/2010 8:23:29 PM PST by xrmusn ((6/98) When you are right, nobody remembers, but when you are wrong, nobody forgets.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: hinckley buzzard

These dimwits are required to leave that slip in the bag so that you do know your bag was searched. I leave on top of my things a notice of exactly what is in the bag and that I have the original with me! It may lessen the theft temptation.


35 posted on 12/26/2010 8:24:12 PM PST by celtic gal
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: celtic gal

This was not carried with a passenger on a plane. It was a cardboard carton shipped via UPS. Nothing was missing, just cut open.


36 posted on 12/26/2010 9:13:52 PM PST by ottbmare (off-the-track Thoroughbred mare)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-36 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson