Enhanced airport security and pat downs

TSA officer pleads guilty to stealing from passengers
"(CNN) -- A New Jersey Transportation Security Administration officer on Thursday pleaded guilty to federal charges that he and his supervisor regularly stole from passengers during screenings at Newark Liberty International Airport, according to federal prosecutors.
Officer Al Raimi, 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Newark. He admitted that for nearly a year, he stole between $10,000 and $30,000 in cash from travelers as they passed through a security checkpoint at the airport.
Raimi admitted that he would "kick up" some of that money to a supervisor, who in turn allowed him to keep stealing. The supervisor, Michael Arato, pleaded guilty earlier this month to accepting kickbacks and bribes.
The TSA and the Port Authority Police Department of New York and New Jersey opened an investigation after receiving numerous complaints from passengers who claimed valuables were missing from their carry-on luggage after they passed through the airport security screening devices."

Ever wonder why the TSA introduced their "pat down" searches? Apparently so they could lift your wallet.
And rummage through your carry-ons to steal stuff.

Its bad enough that air travellers get gouged on taxes. Yes, more than half your air ticket cost is TAX. Check the receipt next time you fly. Then the inhumanity of the TSA grope, or the alternate deadly dosage of backscatter X-rays. And to get robbed amidst all that, adding injury to insult.

Next time, take the train.