[cognivore]

>> I don't get why this was deemed an accident. <<

Reading the story, there is this little voice saying in the back of my head, "They don't want to treat it as a crime because they know who has it and they're in cahoots."

[MOARDONGZPLZ]

I would really, really doubt this. My assumption is that they either:

1. They have statistics that they have to keep up, and having a ding like "a crime was committed on your watch" isn't a good thing, so they try to avoid it, or 2. Classifying it as a crime versus an accident comes with a load of paperwork and hassle for everybody involved that no one wants to do.

I really don't think this was malicious in the manner you describe.

[avn2109]

>> "I would really, really doubt this."

It has happened plenty of times: http://www.wafb.com/story/1962125/arrests-made-in-tsa-baggag...

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/abc-news-tracks-missing-ipad-f...

http://www.wired.com/2012/12/tsa-ipads/

And many, many more.

[tbrake]

"Fuck this other person because I don't want to fill out a form."

I kind of feel laziness of that nature is its own kind of maliciousness.

[btreesOfSpring]

not the same but congruent but there was the baggage theft ring[0] at JFK that focused on easily resalable electronics (and other goods).

[0] http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/baggage-theft-...

[gaur]

> I would really, really doubt this.

I kind of doubt it too, but I wonder if accusing them personally of theft would light a fire under their butts to actually do something about it.

[jvyduna]

This doesn't prove intent or lack thereof, but the author has posted that the woman who received the laptop has contacted him.

https://www.facebook.com/echeng1/posts/10102303567718623

[matt-attack]

> I would really, really doubt this.

Just curious, do you say that with knowledge of the fact that is on record happening multiple times? Or are you just unaware?

[MOARDONGZPLZ]

Yes, but I also know government workers. For every recorded instance of some theft ring, there are undoubtedly thousands of unrecorded instances of a TSA agents (or, really, any non-SES government worker) downplaying things or subtle manipulating situations to get out of paperwork.