![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-324163-100x100.png\")
It's not their problem?
I can't even fathom why this happened. Did they think it was a bomb? Is it TSA's policy to disassemble suspected bombs and then, when it's clear it's not a bomb, leave the pieces in a baggie in the luggage?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
I agree, if they suspected it was a bomb I'm pretty sure there is no way a TSA agent would be the one taking it apart.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1523667-100x100.png\")
The terrorists have won.
they won a decade ago. The country is scared to even take a shit for fear the terrorists might come barging out of the sewers.
I love America but my god do I hate most Americans for willingly being ignorant douchbags.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1524851-100x100.png\")
Not me. I'll take a shit all over the terrorists! :)
Sad but true.
By the time we win, we will have nothing.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1524268-100x100.png\")
I always laugh when people talk about \"winning the war on terror\"...that war cannot be won, ever. If by some miracle we actually did manage to find and kill everyone that intends America harm, whether it be in some cave in Pakistan or deep in North Korea, or a guy in his mom's basement in Idaho, we will have lost so many rights as Americans, the American people would then rise up against our government and be labelled terrorist.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-417012-100x100.png\")
What makes you think this wasn't the goal all along?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-4587-100x100.png\")
What makes you think we'll win?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1148718-100x100.png\")
Wait, so the OP is saying that the TSA removed his 360 from his bag, opened the Xbox (which, from online searches of how to disassemble an xbox seem somewhat complex and require a torx 10 screwdriver), and removed metal pieces from the motherboard, then packaged said pieces in a small plastic bag and put the xbox back together? There is very little information in this article...
You are assuming they opened it in the recommended way. Perhaps by \"broken\" he means actually, physically broken open?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1523289-100x100.png\")
Yeah the xbox is hard to take apart, he's probably thinking that someone at Microsoft will see this and send him a free one.
I agree, I find this story very hard to believe.
Now had the XBox gone missing? No surprise (why would anyone EVER check any kind of small electronic? That's just BEGGING for it to be stolen. Anything electronic that can't fit in my carry-on, doesn't come with me.
Had it just been smashed up, still no problem.
But I find it very hard to believe someone took the time to take it apart, remove pieces, and put it back.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1050981-100x100.png\")
That's exactly what he is saying. What more information do you need?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-439770-100x100.png\")
Well, how about -
1) What pieces were removed? Did he put them back in himself? Did he take pictures?
2) Why not check the Xbox into his carry-on luggage?
3) Was his Xbox modded? I bet it was. This would be a great way to get a modded (and useless) Xbox replaced for free.
4) Why should the airline replace anything if TSA removed the parts? Did he not think this part through?
5) Unless he was attempting to pull a scam, why would any consumerist reader check a fragile, expensive, tempermental-when-left-sitting-on-a-television game system into his luggage after seeing the story about that hillbilly and his guitar?
your final sentence reveals you as a troll
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1304928-100x100.png\")
A worker probably took his console apart in order to remove parts so they could fix their own console, then instead of putting it back together completely, they just put the stuff in a bag.
expensive equipment should go in hand luggage and not a suitcase because stuff like this will happen, so avoid the risk and just keep expensive things with you or leave them at home.
Workers at airports steam a lot.
My aunt got her windows vista serial number stolen at the airport, since it is printed on the bottom of the laptop, when traveling, a worker must have copied the serial number and a few days after she came, she got the dreaded WGA crap microsoft blacklisted the key because too many people were using it and refused to give a new one.
If you are going to travel, remove the windows serial sticker and print it on a sheet of paper then remove the cd drive and put the sheet on top of the cd drive casing, that will keep security at airports from copying down your serial number.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1037-100x100.png\")
I gotta beleive even the most experienced Xbox hackers wouldn't be able to disassemble an Xbox for parts, then put it back together all in time to get it on the plane in time for his flight. I also don't think baggage handlers are going to have the free time to unscrew and desolder xbox parts, they have a hard enough time getting normal bags on the plane. I call...er \"what's that restaurant with all the shit on the wall?\"
The key probably got posted on a pirate forum, Microsoft looks for that and will blacklist a key.
Unless your aunt had already reinstalled her OS, the key on the laptop was unused. Computers are preactivated with an OEM key, not the key on the sticker. That key is only used for reactivating after reinstalling the OS.
Also, her key would not get \"black listed\" for this reason. The new user just wouldnt be able to activate it.
The most likely reason for the WGA error is:
1. WGA was wrong (this happens more frequently with older XP installs (sp1 and before)
2. She took it to a shop to have a virus removed, the formated and reinstalled and didnt have the OEM disk to match the key and used an illegal copy (done ALL THE TIME)
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-48863-100x100.png\")
Err... that's a little far fetched. WGA is known for reporting false positives. How are you sure she got her serial stolen at the airport?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1512420-100x100.png\")
Have to agree with you. Even IF you get a serial number, you have to make sure you use it with the right OS. I have a ton of valid stickers from read systems that will only work with specific SP's of OS's. Never had a single one fail WGA though.
First off, who is \"they?\" Is it US Airways, or TSA?
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1130672-100x100.png\")
i call BS until the op tells us more.
Pics or it didn't happen.
Yeah then we race to the be the first one to call \"shopped\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-2502-100x100.png\")
Yeah, at least show us a picture of it. Not that I'll believe it any more, since it still seems outlandish.
File a complaint with the TSA and the airline's baggage office for damaged baggage.
Frankly I find this hard to believe, who tells the ticket clerk that they are carrying a video game system. If you had actually asked they would have referred you to section 11 of their Terms of Transportation http://www.usairways.com/en-US/aboutus/customersfirst/contractofcarriage.html
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1222019-100x100.png\")
Had a guy a work ask if it would be OK for him to check his laptop in his luggage. I am really glad he asked me but I could have totally seen him asking someone at the airport.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1420011-100x100.png\")
I think we're seeing more and more bogus or outlandish claims lately, I wonder if some groups aren't just messing with members here?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-529488-100x100.png\")
Wait, they TOOK APART the Xbox? Wow, TSA has more dedication then I thought. Small claims, man.
And get a handheld system if you need your fix that badly.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-425645-100x100.png\")
He could've been moving or something. I hauled both an XBox and a PS2 back and forth from Japan when I lived there. I seem to remember checking both of them with no problems (in either direction), though 360s are so prone to breaking, I don't know that I'd check one of those. There's actually a good chance that I'll be moving overseas in the next year or so, and I still haven't decided just what I'll do with my 360. The prospect of shipping it isn't really any more appealing than checking it in a suitcase.
I may try the starter pistol method and see how that works.
If the story is indeed true then small claims court. Really no other way if customer service doesn't care.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-8966-100x100.png\")
Consumerist just had an article about putting a starter pistol into your checked baggage to make sure that everything arrives safely. The deal with that is that the bag must be locked and sealed so that TSA and baggage handlers can not get into it without you opening the bag for them.
Some years back, before Consumerist, Lifehacker had a discussion about an airline traveler having their desktop PC opened and all of the cables unplugged. The same thing happened to me too, on a PC that was quick shipped on a flight back in the 90's as well. Just had to take the time to connect all of the cables again.
The thing is, if TSA is concerned at all they will open up the package and check things out.
\"Consumerist just had an article about putting a starter pistol into your checked baggage to make sure that everything arrives safely\" - yet that information is 1000000% FALSE. It is NOT true in the slightest, and has never EVER been true. Someone posted it on Bruce Schnier's blog and it started getting reposted, but what was left out were all of the comments below it pointing out that it was complete tripe.
tl; dr: the rumour that you can get 'extra tracking' by putting a starter pistol in your baggage is totally false.
It has nothing to do with \"extra tracking\" and everything to do with making sure the bag is screened with you standing there, and then securely locked so that TSA's ham-handed goons can't get to it.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-129735-100x100.png\")
Dave Carroll - \"...Because TSA Breaks Consoles...\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1528941-100x100.png\")
I think we can train monkeys to do a better job than the TSA. They work for bananas.
Never check anything of value. Good luck getting anywhere while the TSA and US Airways play the blame game with each other. Check the contract of carriage also, electronics are probably excluded from luggage liabilities.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-318831-100x100.png\")
That's why you name both as co-defendants in the lawsuit. If both is claiming the other is 100% at fault, they should have no problems proving it in court, right?
The xbox has a $300 replacement value (probably less in the U.S., but that's what I can buy one for in Canada). Going to court (even small claims) will be prohibitively expensive.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-37033-100x100.png\")
When multiple parties are responsible, no one is responsible.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1523452-100x100.png\")
If he put it on a credit card, can he file a claim with them?
\"Consumerist\" again does itself a disservice by publishing a wafer-thin story that has my (and other folks') BS indicators going off the scale.
If this is ALL that Adam wrote, it's a waste of pixels/eyeball time.
My guess? Adam tried a mod, broke his XBOX, packed the bits he'd cluelessly removed in a ziplock bag and tried to scam US Airways.
Which we, of course, all pay for in the end in the form of higher traveling costs.
He probably got himself banned by modding his xbox like a million people did.
Sure the airline opened his xbox, which is a real bitch to do btw, you have to know where to stick a smaller screw driver in which little vent hole to get he plastic to release its self to expose the metal insides. They you have to have a torx screw driver to open the metal casing.
Now he can accuse them of voiding his warranty, and now it wont boot up to tell it was banned from xbox. When mine got banned I thought of a dozen ways to get it swapped out for an unbanned one but ended up just buying a new one like he should have.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1525227-100x100.png\")
Yes, he cleverly paid for a plane ticket just to file a claim against the airline. That'll teach those airlines to price their tickets so low!
If he was flying somewhere anyway, it didn't cost much else to bring a broken xbox.
You can't open an xbox without a torx bit, they really wanted to fuck with you it seems.
I have about 1300 torx bits in various sizes just sitting around. Why do people keep repeating this like the Torx is some magical head that only exists in fables?
File a claim with TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/sf-95_claim_package.pdf
and with US Air: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/baggage/damagedbags.html
If you have to travel with stuff like that, put it in a LOCKING hard carry case approved by TSA. Cases like these can be bought at a electronics wholesaler or online. Measure your items dimensions then add 2-3 inches all around for the inside fit. They are expensive, but well worth it.
TSA can open those cases. That is why they approve them.
Several problems here:
First: NEVER check electronics of any kind! They are specifically disclaimed in the baggage liability policy for domestic flights. If they don't show up at the other end, you are SOL.
Second: The TSA inspector (I'm sure that USAir had anything whatsoever to do with the dis-assembly) was almost certainly doing his job. If something can't be properly resolved on the XRay, it's his job to figure out what it is. It's not surprising a piece of electronics has a hard time in an xray. Yep, it got damaged in the process. This is EXACTLY why you don't check electronics!
How about \"We don't violate people's rights in this country, ever, because that's disgracing our great nation\"?
You want to live in a country where you don't have the right to do anything without being searched or harassed, there are plenty available.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-542228-100x100.png\")
Back when PS2 first came out and I didn't know any better I checked it. It was in the center of a large rigid body suitcase surrounded by every piece of clothing in the bag. By the time I got my bag back the PS2 was cracked down the middle. The only way that would have ever been possible was if they were intentionally fucking with and mistreating bags because the thing was cushioned to hell and back. And that's how I learned to take all electronics with me on my carry on or my person when I travel.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-449511-100x100.png\")
Not enough info in the post. It could have been a baggage handler. The TSA will leave an official note if they've been through your bags. Was there a note?
The headline is misleading. It says \">US Airways
I like the Americans set up at Toronto International. You stay with your bags until they are checked and x-rayed.
Most airline won't reimburse for any damage or loss of electronics or jewelery checked in baggage. For good reason, it's easy to claim you lost your $1,000 ring, or your laptop worked when you checked it. Regardless, you're playing with fire if you check your electronics.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-524697-100x100.png\")
Ironically... even though I don't fly... I feel safer now.
He's going to be out of luck. If your baggage is broken, it needs to be reported before you leave the airport.
As others have pointed out, this sounds really fishy. I smell shenanigans.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-159466-100x100.png\")
why not just steal the entire 360? x-clamp mod is not that reliable and not that many people have the right equipment to resolder, which isn't that reliable anyway. I doubt this was gutted for parts or something. there is no reason for TSA to open your xbox to check for bomb parts or whatever, since they use xrays, and at the maximum they can use the sniffer machines to test for nefarious substances. This sounds like a scam to me.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-44825-100x100.png\")
The only advice I would say is don't fly with your Xbox. If he have to have it that badly, then ship it to your destination. Most hotels will take packages if they know that you are coming in. I'm not saying that the airline was right to dismantle your Xbox and break it, but its like packing jewelry or your camera, I'm surprised it wasn't stolen.
Buy a starter pistol and check it with your Xbox. Make sure to declare the pistol. You'll be searched at check-in, then you get to lock your bag and keep the key.
Two useful links...
http://consumerist.com/2006/09/pack-a-pistol-when-you-pack-your-bags.html
http://lifehacker.com/5448014/pack-a-gun-to-protect-valuables-from-airline-theft-or-loss
What if your a game developer on your way to a conference to show off your game? Its not that unheard of.
Thing is, he shouldn't have to. He's already paying to check that bag, with a reasonably common and (more importantly) non-dangerous item (albeit not in a checked bag). Why should he have to pay extra to ship a package on top of that?
So he risks it breaking in the mail, getting stolen, getting lost etc instead? Awesome.
Well you cannot be certain that an attempt to purloin it didn't take place. During the attempt the Xbox was dropped thus no longer of interest to the larcenist. I also agree with your suggestion it is better to ship ahead if you cannot put it in the take on bag.