Does the TSA always "lose" items or was I just lucky?

Nothing puts me in a better mood after a long flight like lost luggage, especially after seeing my bags left half unzipped at the airport along with a note from the TSA that my bags were searched.. John has had a number of problems with TSA including wrapping (to protect delicate items) shoved back unwrapped, with the paper shreds randomly thrown in to the bags for good measure (thanks!) without any care for the bags. I know they're supposed to be busy, but c'mon, this is ridiculous.

I mysteriously had both a Denver 2008 shirt (for my wife) that went missing along with a "Ask me how many houses I own" button that never made it back. I specifically put the button in my luggage and not carry on because I figured security would take the button, claiming it was a weapon. (Nothing is too stupid for US security.) God knows what else may be missing and despite some of the stories of brave TSA employees searching and searching for owners of lost items, as I wipe the tears from the corner of my eyes, I remain suspicious.

In the old days, there was always a risk of airport employees pilfering luggage but then we added the Soviet style airport security that includes plenty of scare tactics just in case Americans aren't afraid enough. Don't even try telling me about how it's all necessary, because it's not. I've traveled more than many, throughout Europe, US, Central America, South America, Africa, Middle East (including Israel via Allenby Bridge which is generally for Palestinians entering Israel and the West Bank), Japan, Australia and throughout Asia so almost want to laugh at the suggestion that security in the US is somehow the best. The mentality appears to be a fear-based initiative that offers nothing more than any other industrialized country and yes, terrorism has hit other countries including a bombing at my own train station and one in a nearby shopping district around the corner from where I live back in the '90s. I think my friends in Israel are also familiar enough with security and have learned a few lessons over the years.

I'll be contacting the TSA lost and found but am not holding my breath. If they ask me to send a FedEx number (as they've reportedly done with others) I'm really going to be even happier. Paying international express shipping for someone else's mistake is precisely what I makes my day.

NOTE FROM JOHN: When French security searched my bags, in front of me, not too long after September 11, they gingerly took every single thing out of my suitcase. When the guy was finished, I started putting my clothes back in - he stopped me. No, monsieur, I took everything out, I'll put it back in, he explained. The French security guy proceeded to carefully put all my clothes, and everything else, back in my suitcase, perfectly, then spent the next few minutes trying to get the overcrowded thing closed! He wouldn't let me help him. Just imagine that scene in the states, the guy packing your bag for you and refusing help. I remember the security lady at DC's National airport once precariously carrying my laptop computer between her thumb and index finger, using only one hand, like it had cooties. I almost had a heart attack, and yelled at her to stop, despite the risk of going to Gitmo. Later this week, we'll have our next installment of "Cheapo United Airlines sucks," and I'll be including a Web address for the Dept of Transportation where you can complain about shoddy airline service. A friend in government tells me that all they need is 5 or so complaints in a set period of time to cause them a real headache.