Airport worker 'stole from passengers' bags' (TSA agent)

NEWS.AU.COM ^ | 1/21/12

[Recovering_Democrat]

A TRANSPORTATION Security Administration (TSA) worker at Miami International Airport in the US has been charged with grand theft after allegedly stealing from passengers' bags and hiding the items in a special constructed pocket added to his uniform jacket.

Michael Pujol and his wife, Betsy Pujol Salazar, were released on bond today, the Miami Herald reported, after the pair were arrested yesterday and charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

[Recovering_Democrat]

A crooked TSA worker? What a shock.

[ClearCase_guy]

I recently flew from GA to NH. Big black TSA guy looked at my destination, and said in a big ol' southern drawl: "You a Patriots fan?"

I said, "Yeah, but in last night's game I was rooting for Tebow."

He got a big frown on a his face and said, "You prolly a Tea Partier."

[Prole]

Seriously.

Yet another reason why I refuse to fly for anything outside of professional reasons.

[yldstrk]

Anyone that has anything is someone to be preyed on

[albie]

TSA employees are uneducated boobs with criminal tendencies. Some work for TSA solely because they have access to so much easy booty.

[jefferson31415]

They’ve been stealing and *getting away with it* for at least 3 years, according to the article.

It’s illegal to tape TSA agents at the airport, making evidence gathering difficult. The only reason they got caught this time was because they got sloppy.

Just imagine how many others in the TSA must be doing similar things.

[GOPJ]

From what I understand, TSA agents are ‘rent a cop’ types - they’re NOT trained police officers. If they were - the cost would be prohibitive - airport administrations have nixed that option. It’s a disaster waiting to happen...

[ClearCase_guy]

The flip side of that argument (unfortunately) is that if you want "quality" TSA workers, you'd have to unionize them. Boost up the salaries, put in some tougher job requirements, and build another strong SEIU contingent. Then the airports would run better.

My idea: get rid of the TSA.

[Dick Vomer]

TSA is a make work program for rejects. Fat tubs of sh#t stuffed into little blue uniforms with a shiny silver badge. The best part is the head toad that sits at the head in a little raised area as you go through the security like a judge with the TSA flag and the US flag side by side.

frickin' joke. Listening to them talk as I went through yesterday from Austin to LA I thought I was at a street corner by the liquor store with all the yapping about "this one heyaa was just a fiiiiinnnnnee bitch who liked me some".... all these two needed was a corner to sit on and a "forty" between their legs wrapped in a paper bag.

[unixfox]

A crooked TSA worker? What a shock.

But we need more of them. You know, for our "safety"

[blueunicorn6]

They have to get money for the Democrat party somehow.

[Vigilanteman]

During questioning, Pujol admitted stealing the device, saying he did it to provide for his family of five.

Poor fellow. The government doesn't pay him enough to support a family of five so he has to steal and his wife has to pressed into working as his fence. < / sarcasm >

[mc5cents]

Here let me put on my shocked face:

[max americana]

>From what I understand, TSA agents are ‘rent a cop’ types - they’re NOT trained police officers.<

My bud works for Worksource, the unemployment agency in L.A. They once had the TSA recruiter in the premises so I asked him if I could sit in as we were going for lunch and he still had a client in his office. So out of curiosity while waiting for him I sat in...

What we were told by TSA is that they will 1) check your credit report first 2) After the credit report they will have you fill in the application form which includes submission of fingerprints..same as a security guard when submitting the process through the state background agency.

So basically anyone with a clean background gets in. But in reality, I would rather shoot myself in the head than tell everyone 5 days a week, 8 hours a day to yell at people to remove their shoes and place their laptops on a gray tray..

[mc5cents]

So, you’re telling me that all of those “TSA Approved” locks you can buy for your luggage is so only TSA Approved Agents can unlock them and take a look around for anything worthwhile to steal?

[COUNTrecount]

Always travel with all of your valuables in your carry on, including medication.

Putting it in checked luggage invites thievery.

[GOPJ]

You’re right about the TSA - the problem: ‘rent a cops’ lack the professionalism of trained police offices. That’s gonna come back and bite us... They’ll also be easier to turn into “show us your papers’ types of bullies. Totalitarian assistants in waiting... it’s all bad.

[libstripper]

So, you’re telling me that all of those “TSA Approved” locks you can buy for your luggage is so only TSA Approved Agents can unlock them and take a look around for anything worthwhile to steal?

It looks like you were being sarcastic; unfortunately, your statement is literally true. This Christmas I flew from Knoxville, TN to Sacramento, CA with an ace chest containing beef tenderlions @ $10.00/lb. and frozen lobster tails @ $18.95/lb. When I arived and opened the ice chest I discovered TSA thugs had looted me of one package of lobstger tails and two 3 lb. half tenderloins, about $80.00 lost. From my personal experience I'd say TSA baggage theft is rampant. I'd never take any of my hand guns in my checked luggage.