I don't know about you, but it has been years since I've actually had to use those little baggage claim tickets they give you when you check a bag at the airport.
Years.
And not just in Phoenix, but at nearly any airport.
In fact the last time I can even remember having to produce them was before September 11th. And in one of the busiest airports in the country.
You'd think, in a time when we're seeing more security and terrorist concerns, there would be more eyes on your luggage. But apparently not -- not enough to keep two people from apparently walking away with hundreds of bags over a period of years.
One might argue they have more important concerns (like real terrorists) than worrying about some schmuck walking away with your bags.
Or you could argue, if they can't even keep your bags secure, how are they supposed to protect us from the real dangers?
A couple of years ago, I was cleaning out a carry-on bag that I had used, easily, a half dozen times in various airports. At times, I had been stopped and the bag had been hand searched.
So, imagine my surprise when I discovered a leatherman tool randomly flopping around in the bottom of the bag. I had forgotten it was there.
It was a tool with a four-inch blade and various attachments, a weapon at least as dangerous as say, a boxcutter, and no fewer than six security screeners had simply missed it.
I know there are dedicated professionals who go to work every day in our nation's airports and work diligently to keep us safe. Honestly, their record speaks for itself. Not since September 11th, has there been a major terrorist attack on American soil.
But time shortens the odds, and terrorists have proven crafty at exploiting the simplest weaknesses in our system. Time and routine lead to carelessness and lapses in standards. And a single lapse on any given day is all it takes to repeat the nightmare of that day.
I hope the luggage case at Sky Harbor sounds the alarm and forces local and federal security experts to review and re-double their efforts. I hope we can all agree any lapse in security is a concern, and a sign that there may be other weaknesses in our system which need to be addressed before it's too late.
