ON THE ROAD
Baggage warning issued for fliers

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — Air travelers who discover something missing or broken in their checked baggage might have an even harder time than usual getting compensation.

That warning from David Stempler of the Air Travelers Association, a consumers group, came in the wake of the announcement by the Transportation Security Administration that travelers should not lock their bags. With both airline and TSA officials having easy access to bags, who will be responsible for contents?

The TSA says it will not be responsible for broken or damaged locks. The agency is "moving toward" providing free plastic seals that screeners can snip open if a search is necessary. In the meantime, TSA chief James Loy suggests using zip ties or plastic cables in place of locks. If your bag is opened out of your sight, officers will leave a note. But who will be responsible for claims of theft or damage? "We'll handle each claim on a case-by-case basis," said spokesman Brian Turmail.

"I'm concerned the passengers will get caught in the middle, with a lot of finger-pointing," said Stempler.

Our advice: Don't pack anything you can't bear to lose. And don't pack banned items. If in doubt, check the lists of prohibited items at www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp.