How many claims has TSA paid at your airport?

It starts at the baggage claim: What if a traveler’s suitcase never makes its way around the carousel? Or when it arrives, what happens when a traveler opens it to find his or her vacation souvenirs cracked in two?

For thousands of travelers who have used the air terminals at Atlantic City, Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark and Philadelphia International, the end result was a complaint filed with the Transportation Security Administration, which oversees baggage handling and security across the country.

QUICK TO FILE, EASILY DENIED

More than 7,000 complaints were filed at the five regional airports but the TSA lost and found paid travelers in just 1,884 cases, including full approvals and settlements.

At those airports, about half of all complaints were denied, following a trend throughout the country. An additional 1,691 complaints are still unresolved, according to the TSA data obtained by USA Today.

INTERACTIVE: TSA claims

More than 4,800 complaints reported a passenger’s damaged or lost property, with another 62 personal injury complaints and 10 motor vehicle complaints.

PAYMENTS HIGH AND LOW

The TSA compensated travelers a total of $492,000 related to complaints at the five regional airports, with nearly $380,000 stemming solely from incidents at Kennedy and Newark.

Payouts averaged $261 per complaint, or the price of a round-trip ticket from Kennedy to Tampa. More than half of all payments were between $1 and $200. Only 77 payments were higher than $1,000.

“Travelers who file legitimate claims deserve appropriate compensation,” said Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-New Jersey), whose district includes the Newark airport. “I am hopeful that with advances in technology, TSA will improve traveler experience while allowing agents to focus on the larger goal of enhancing and ensuring airport security to protect New Jerseyans and other Americans.”

The payouts run the gamut, from $1 for a lost “medical/science” item to a $5,000 settlement for an undisclosed lost piece of property, both at the Newark airport.

BAGGAGE, JEWELRY AND GUITARS

Most of the complaints filed center around standard items lost or damage during transit. There were 1,051 complaints related to “computers and accessories,” more than any other category listed.

“Baggage, cases and purses” that were lost or damaged led to about 1,000 complaints. “Jewelry and watches” and “personal electronics” were each the focus of about 750 complaints.

Of the more than 300 complaints regarding a loss of currency, the TSA granted payment in only 21 cases ranging from $10 to $1,000.

For a few travelers, the losses went beyond standard travel equipment, including tools, office equipment and household tool. The TSA even received 35 complaints over lost or damaged musical instruments, approving and reimbursing the passenger in only nine cases.