Senator Charles Schumer says the Transportation Security Administration should be screening its own airport screeners to try to crack down on theft.

In a letter to the TSA, Schumer says the agency should conduct sting operations to catch dishonest screeners.

Schumer suggests having agents pose as travelers with electronics implanted with GPS chips so they can be tracked if stolen.

Schumer's office quotes figures from the Federal Aviation Administration, which said more than 200 people reported missing items in 2011.

The TSA says it takes allegations of misconduct seriously and has terminated nearly 400 agents for theft since 2003. But the agency also points out that they represent less than 0.5 percent of its work force.