Learns Hard Lesson
To The Editor:

I just saw your story on theft from checked baggage at JFK airport, and how I wish I had seen it before I checked my luggage last Friday! I checked my suitcase on JetBlue for flight No. 91 on 2/1/08 from JFK to Oakland, and I packed my brand new Louis Vuitton purse in my checked luggage. I couldn't fit it in my carry-on tote, so packed it in its dustbag, wrapped it in a jacket, and tucked it in between layers of clothing. Well, you know where this story is going! When I arrived home and started unpacking, the dustbag was there, but the purse was gone. Either a baggage handler or TSA agent at JFK stole my beautiful new purse. I'm so angry and I want this person caught!

I contacted the police department at JFK, and they were very unconcerned...said this happens every day! If they know this happens every day, why on earth don't they work with the airlines to institute some type of security procedure in the checked baggage area to make certain theft does not occur everyday! How about security cameras, check points for personnel upon entering and leaving the baggage area, a manager or supervisor who is held responsible for any thefts that occur. What is wrong with these people?!!!

You probably aren't surprised this is still going on, but I was wondering if you know of any other channels I can pursue to try to make sure these criminals are caught and they don't continue to steal from passengers. I have filed a police report with the JFK Police, filed a pilfering claim with JetBlue, and am in the process of filing a claim with TSA.

Thanks for listening to my story, and if you see a Louis Vuitton Tivoli PM bag in the vicinity of Queens, it's probably mine!

Mary Jane Sullivan San Francisco Bay Area