It seems the TSA has a problem with sticky-fingered agents who like to swipe Apple products, particularly iPads. Case in point: An agent at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport is the latest to be charged with stealing travelers' iPads. It's but one example of iPad pilferage by some of our nation's "security" officials.
TSA baggage screener Sean Henry reportedly was caught leaving the airport with two iPads after a joint TSA and Port Authority sting, according to ABC News. Officials used the iPad's own GPS tracking mechanism to keep tabs on the tablet and pinpoint the thief.
Other instances of note: In September, a TSA agent in Florida was caught pilfering an iPad left at a security checkpoint. In July, a Continental Airlines employee caught a TSA worker trying to take an iPad by stashing it in his pants. Not smooth, bro. He was alleged to have sold around $50,000 of stolen gear on Craigslist. And a TSA screener at Dallas-Fort Worth International was arrested in January and found with seven Apple tablets in his possession. One for each day of the week, perhaps?
In the most brazen example, more ambitious thieves (believed to be airport employees, but not necessarily TSA employees) swiped two entire pallets of iPads at JFK Airport — 3,600 in all, worth $1.5 million.
It should be said that the TSA employ more than 50,000 people, so while the thefts are troubling, there are literally tens of thousands of ethical, non-horrible TSA employees out there. Our hats are off to them.
With the incredibly busy holiday travel season upon us, be sure to double check that your electronics and valuables are still in tow as you navigate the nation's airports – particularly after you've taken them out at security. Helpfully, the TSA released a list of airports where their employees are most likely to steal your possessions. Miami International (29 incidences), JFK (27 incidences), and LA International (24 instances) take the top three spots on the list.
Perhaps if TSA agents had to go through nudie scanners each day like we do, thievery wouldn't be such a problem.
