V-Flyer

arrived back in the uk on VS016 dep MCO 15th June...TSA had examined bag and left calling card...suspect shirts were removed and not repacked ...but no way of checking...Virgin in MCO do not answer phone at all and UK virgin customer care tell me to claim against TSA....this is crazy,,,,how can I chat to someone in orlando??..it would be a quick solution...my son also had some toys bought in disney drilled by the TSA , surely an overreaction!! Can anyone help

Try posting on the VS Facebook page.

the team over there are usually quite good at advising who to contact

You need to contact the TSA - this has nothing to do with Virgin

Web contact form for TSA here

Agreed. Alternatively, have you spoken to your travel insurance?

tontybear wrote:You need to contact the TSA - this has nothing to do with Virgin

Web contact form for TSA here

It's a great shame that this has happened and I too would scratch my head at the TSA action, but then I always do. It really has nothing to do with VS, they have no control over the TSA at all and unfortunately you need to take the path suggested by others above.

I've had this happen to me once coming back from IAD. Not only had the TSA been through my case but they also stole two brand new watches that I bought for my birthday.

When I got back I contacted Virgin and pretty much there isn't anything they can do. I thought about an insurance claim but with the excess fees it wasn't worth it.

Really does enforce the need to avoid putting anything of value in hold luggage..

Good luck with claim..!

Anything relating to the TSA is just cause for a massive headache

Hope you get it resolved!

That is really bad. You do need to complain to the TSA directly, although don't expect much as they will either just ignore you or fob you off, which is what they did when I complained about the way I was treated by TSA at MIA.

The TSA are a law to themselves and are simply not interested in passenger welfare.

I once had my bag opened and a calling card left, the thing that I was most annoyed about was, I had some sun cream fastened up in a plastic bag just in case it leaked and some kind person had removed it and squirted it all over stuff in the bag then put it back in the plastic bag ....unbelievable n(

thelaceys

I find it extremely concerning that there are so many stories of bad behaviour.

I knew they were miserable but I never realised they were thieves and damaged other people's property.

I've had property searched with a leaflet left but sounds like I've been lucky!

They ruined two brand new suitcases the last time I used MCO. They cut off the locking tabs even though the suitcases were not locked. I now try to avoid travelling through USA at all costs because there immigation officers as far as my experiences are always rude and this TSA incident is topical of the attitude to travellers.

They smashed a built-in TSA approved combination lock on mine. Fortunately it was a Samsonite who replaced it without charge

A few years back I was returning from JFK and had purchased some Power Range figures for my grandson which I had placed in my suitcase.
When I picked up my luggage at LHR, I found a suitcase had been opened (wasn't locked) and they'd left the curt explanation note. All that annoying rigid plastic keeping the figures in place had been torn open and all the tiny little bits of equipment like a minute knife, a gun and other bits of 'highly suspicious' junk relating to the figure was removed and as a result it made the toy absolutely useless.
I hoped the power crazed TA officer slept well that night !

During a recent trip, my husband had the usual note on his suitcase and when he unpacked felt sure he was missing 3 brand new shirts that he had put on the top.

I said he had probably just forgotten to put them out as he leaves it all to the last minute! Judging from the comments I think I need to apologise :w

It's interesting that MCO plans to get rid of the TSA altogether, though I rarely (and hate doing so) go through MCO it would be interesting to see what difference it makes.

We use MCO a lot, as do the rest of my family, so it would be interesting to hear where this info came from ref MCO planning to stop using TSA.

daviec1 wrote:We use MCO a lot, as do the rest of my family, so it would be interesting to hear where this info came from ref MCO planning to stop using TSA.

It's all right here: http://www.infowars.com/major-us-airport-to-evict-tsa-screeners/

And here's a mock TSA ad to make you chuckle:

http://twitpic.com/9yyq2a

Wow - These stories make me shudder!
I travel to the US a lot and I have never had an issue with the TSA like this.
I have had the TSA "Calling card" a number of times and now don't even lock my hold luggage as they have a right to bypass the lock anyways.
As I always purchase something out there for the kids, clothes, toys, food items etc I am surprised I have not had anything removed.
Don't really see the need for the TSA to act like this, just shows the screening process and training for their staff is way below par. Complain, complain and complain again I say. They are a public service and therefor have to answer to someone.

That link about the TSA refers to Sanford not MCO and is concerning the passenger search not the luggage.

well..thanks for all the comments and just an update....... Virgin baggage services in orlando have still not answered the phone...they must have a room sized hard disc for all the messages that have been left... Orlando airport lost and found are helpful and friendly but do not hold out much hope of the TSA delivering anything that has been "forgotten" to them.Virgin London have sidestepped the issue with the skill of and NFL quarterback, and advised me to call the TSA..I did so...talked to a humourless drone up in virginia who read me lots of stock answers from a card..promised to send a form and didnt... So what can I do....personally i think Virgin should do more...They accepted the goods at downtown disney so its possible that on of their staff took the items,...the TSA keys are readily available so its not beyond the realms of possibility!! Alternatively....just hit me with a standby freebee and I will go over and comeback same day!! quick trip to Dillards and problem solved!!!...Am not going to let it drop...not much value involved but someone is responsible so hands up!!! If theres anyone from Virgin themselves out there...let me know what can be done...will take it to Mr Ridgeway's desk if neccessary!

My mistake, when they reported it on the news when I was in Orlando they said it was MCO, I didn't realise it was SFB and didn't read the article before linking to it....however, allegedly the same thing is coming to SFO.

112orlando wrote:.personally i think Virgin should do more...They accepted the goods at downtown disney so its possible that on of their staff took the items,...

<Mods hat on>

OK, I understand that you are upset and frustrated about the items going missing, but....

Be VERY careful about pointing fingers and making vague accusation on here. The DTD team is very small and it's unfair to make comments about them without a scrap of evidence. Comments like this can easily result in staff being unfairly suspended while investigations are carried out.

As you have originally stated, the bag was opened by the TSA and a examination note was left. It's far more likely the items were not re-packed there than anywhere else. Consequently, your beef is with the TSA, not VS. The bag was opened under lawful authority by the TSA.

112orlando wrote:......will take it to Mr Ridgeway's desk if neccessary!

If you do, it would probably be better if you spell his name right. 8D

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Ridgway


Nick

Just to defend the TSA

I have had my bags checked several times (evidenced by the leaflet) on returning from the USA and nothing has ever been removed or damaged.

In fact one time they made a better job of repacking than I had in the packing.

The TSA do take this seriously (when it is reported to them but it looks like few people do and blame the usual and easier suspects aka the baggage handlers) and TSA staff have been dismissed for theft and other inappropriate actions e.g. the 'you go girl' comment written on the 'we have searched this' leaflet