Stuff stolen from luggage, any recourse?
Dec 2nd, 2006, 09:49 PM
#1
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Stuff stolen from luggage, any recourse?
Hey there--
Have travelled a lot, but luckily never had any baggage problems..until now.
Flew in from LHR and unpacked today and realized that a bag that was inside my luggage which had about $100 worth of stuff in it (three cartons of cigarettes and a few other things). Is there ANYTHING i can do here? I'm really pissed off (better to be pissed off than pissed on..)
thanks,
Christine
Have travelled a lot, but luckily never had any baggage problems..until now.
Flew in from LHR and unpacked today and realized that a bag that was inside my luggage which had about $100 worth of stuff in it (three cartons of cigarettes and a few other things). Is there ANYTHING i can do here? I'm really pissed off (better to be pissed off than pissed on..)
thanks,
Christine
Dec 3rd, 2006, 12:05 AM
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That happened to me back in the early 80's on a flight from JFK to Rome. I smoked at the time and they took several cartons of cigarettes and some grape Hubba Bubba bubble gum that I was bring, by request, to my friends kids in London. That is the only thing that they wanted from the U.S.
When I got to my pensionne in Rome I saw that my lock had been removed and my suitcase had been gone through. Anything of real value was in my carryon so those were the only things taken.
I immediately called Pan Am and reported the theft.
When I returned home 6 weeks later, I made a formal report at the airport.
The total came to $17.76. Their rep contacted me and said that with no receipts, he could only give me half of that. I told him over and over that I bought the things at the supermarket and had no receipts, and I didn't have a receipt for the missing lock either.
We went round and round and neither of us would give in. I told him that if I had wanted to cheat Pan Am, I would have said that they took an expensive leather jacket or a cashmere sweater - but he still wouldn't give in.
I was a civilian employee for the police department, which he knew when the phone was answered. He said that if a police supervisor would write a letter attesting to the value of the items, they would pay me. So, my boss wrote a letter and sure enough I got the $17.76. It was so ridiculous and such a waste of time, that I _almost_ wished that I had inflated the loss and the value. I was only trying to be honest.
So, contact the airlines and report the theft, it was still your property and I don't think that they have carte blanche to remove items from your luggage. Or have you already told them and they have refused?
When I got to my pensionne in Rome I saw that my lock had been removed and my suitcase had been gone through. Anything of real value was in my carryon so those were the only things taken.
I immediately called Pan Am and reported the theft.
When I returned home 6 weeks later, I made a formal report at the airport.
The total came to $17.76. Their rep contacted me and said that with no receipts, he could only give me half of that. I told him over and over that I bought the things at the supermarket and had no receipts, and I didn't have a receipt for the missing lock either.
We went round and round and neither of us would give in. I told him that if I had wanted to cheat Pan Am, I would have said that they took an expensive leather jacket or a cashmere sweater - but he still wouldn't give in.
I was a civilian employee for the police department, which he knew when the phone was answered. He said that if a police supervisor would write a letter attesting to the value of the items, they would pay me. So, my boss wrote a letter and sure enough I got the $17.76. It was so ridiculous and such a waste of time, that I _almost_ wished that I had inflated the loss and the value. I was only trying to be honest.
So, contact the airlines and report the theft, it was still your property and I don't think that they have carte blanche to remove items from your luggage. Or have you already told them and they have refused?
Dec 3rd, 2006, 01:51 AM
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Unless you have additional insurance you are limited to the liability limits set out by the carrier and that probably includes limits on the time you have to report the theft.
The lack of receipt issue is a whole other conversation IMO.
The lack of receipt issue is a whole other conversation IMO.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 04:48 AM
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Sorry about your missing stuff.
I've long wondered myself how anybody manages to make a claim.
First, even with receipts, that only proves the merchandise was bought and its value, it doesn't prove one placed the merchandise in the bag and subsequently had bag shipped by the airline. Airline could argue one simply left the merchandise down and lost it oneself.
I've heard that the best chance at launching a claim was to notify the airline immediately, i.e. before you leave the airport (yeah, I know, how many of us open our bags upon arrival, when all we want to do is get to the hotel or home.)
You could try asking your question on the Flyertalk (dot com) board, there are a lot of seasoned flyers there who might know.
I've long wondered myself how anybody manages to make a claim.
First, even with receipts, that only proves the merchandise was bought and its value, it doesn't prove one placed the merchandise in the bag and subsequently had bag shipped by the airline. Airline could argue one simply left the merchandise down and lost it oneself.
I've heard that the best chance at launching a claim was to notify the airline immediately, i.e. before you leave the airport (yeah, I know, how many of us open our bags upon arrival, when all we want to do is get to the hotel or home.)
You could try asking your question on the Flyertalk (dot com) board, there are a lot of seasoned flyers there who might know.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 08:13 AM
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Traveling companions of ours just had this problem, but it was an expensive camera on carry-on that was taken from them by an airline employee. (supposedly the carry-on was too big) When it caught up with them a week later the camera was missing. The airline and insurance company required a police report, receipt for the items, boarding passes, etc. They had everything so the the money was refunded.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 08:27 AM
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Sorry for you.
This is one of the situations where you think the airilnes would work to get improvement. I remeber some TV show that actually filmed and aired multiple beggage handlers slitting and rifling peoples bagged.
My SIL lived in Germany. On a trip to the US, she splurged on a sleeping bag. To make a long story short, she picked up an totally empty cardboard box in Frankfurt.
This is one of the situations where you think the airilnes would work to get improvement. I remeber some TV show that actually filmed and aired multiple beggage handlers slitting and rifling peoples bagged.
My SIL lived in Germany. On a trip to the US, she splurged on a sleeping bag. To make a long story short, she picked up an totally empty cardboard box in Frankfurt.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 08:34 AM
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20 years ago, London's airports were nick-named by the tabloids: Thiefrow and Gatnick. Things are better nowadays but theft still happens. Airport workers all over the world subsidize their pay by casual theft from luggage. It is important that everything be locked/padlocked. Zips are a menace, and as few valuables as possible should be kept in carry-on luggage as the thiefs have master keys.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 08:44 AM
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I also think you might be considered a customs violation with 3 cartons. I occasionally smoke and like to bring back Japanese and French cigarettes -- I think I've only been able to purchase 1-2 cartons. can't remember.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 10:14 AM
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About 25 years ago we met a United Baggage Supervisor during our travels. He said that checking in a locked suitcase was tantamount to leaving your unlocked, wide open, suitcase sitting unattended in the middle of the airport. He also said that baggage handlers were regularly seen taking things from suitcases, and even though there were witnesses, the union (at that time at least) protected them, and there was nothing that United could do but absorb the loss if it was reported.
Now that luggage is cannot be locked, I'm wondering if the airlines have better internal security or if thefts have escalated.
Since I pack no valuables in my check in luggage, I am more worried about lost luggage, which is on the rise in the last few months.
Now that luggage is cannot be locked, I'm wondering if the airlines have better internal security or if thefts have escalated.
Since I pack no valuables in my check in luggage, I am more worried about lost luggage, which is on the rise in the last few months.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 10:21 AM
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I never have put anything valuable that could not be replaced in my checked luggage, even when we were allowed to lock the checked in luggage.
Lost luggage, yes Nina, that certainly seems to be on the uprise. From now on I will put some kind of change of clothes in my carryon just in case.
Lost luggage, yes Nina, that certainly seems to be on the uprise. From now on I will put some kind of change of clothes in my carryon just in case.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 11:56 AM
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Nina66: Actually you can lock luggage with the new locks that "supposedly" only the TSA has keys to. We use the nylon tie wraps that are used for electrical and plumbing. If the TSA decides to look into them they then have to put a seal on it. BUT, short of Fort Knox, there is no sure thing to keep anyone out.
A very small amout of lost luggage is lost forever. It usually catches up with you somewhere. I forgot the percentages, but it's extremely small. Also if you lose your luggage, don't count on the airline.....contact your travel insurance company. Our friends tried for 3 days to contact Alitalia (after they reported their luggage lost at the airport) and were never able to get anywhere. Our hotel even tried. Finally our travel insurance found it and had it delivered to our hotel in Rome. Also...always insist on the airline giving you money immediately when you report your missing luggage. They are supposed to give you money to carry you through to buy incidentals.
A very small amout of lost luggage is lost forever. It usually catches up with you somewhere. I forgot the percentages, but it's extremely small. Also if you lose your luggage, don't count on the airline.....contact your travel insurance company. Our friends tried for 3 days to contact Alitalia (after they reported their luggage lost at the airport) and were never able to get anywhere. Our hotel even tried. Finally our travel insurance found it and had it delivered to our hotel in Rome. Also...always insist on the airline giving you money immediately when you report your missing luggage. They are supposed to give you money to carry you through to buy incidentals.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 12:48 PM
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People keep saying that we shouldn't pack anything valuable in our checked luggage but this is hard to do even in terms of clothing. There's only so much stuff I can fit into a carry-on --laptop, bose headphones, camera, ipod, travel pillow, one change of clothing, and now our ziplock of liquids (that can potentially ruin all my electronics). And now what -- I have to lug my Prada and Louboutin shoes onto the plane too? The strict carry-on policies of EU airlines make travelling much more stressful -- just let me carry on my 22" roller. (or load it at the gate as I board)
Dec 3rd, 2006, 02:05 PM
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I was coming back off a cruise and flying out of Milan about 6 years ago. When we got home, we were gradually unpacking over the next couple of days, and my wife noticed several things missing, i.e. her panty hose, all our exposed film, her jeans, and several other selective items including all my ties and cummerbunds. We had locks on the luggage, but they apparently manipulated the zipper.
We wrote to Continental, and after several exchanges of letters, we got a check for our stuff.
Here in New Jersey, 3 cartons of cigarettes alone will cost you over $150. I know how you feel. P-O'ed is putting it mildly.
We wrote to Continental, and after several exchanges of letters, we got a check for our stuff.
Here in New Jersey, 3 cartons of cigarettes alone will cost you over $150. I know how you feel. P-O'ed is putting it mildly.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 03:43 PM
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We took a Skyeurope flight from Rome to Prague this summer. DH's suitcase lock was missing when the luggage arrived in Prague. Someone had stolen a computer game and wireless mouse out of the luggage. I don't really know, but I think it may have happened in Rome, as the luggage came quickly onto the conveyor belt in Prague. I haven't asked for reimbursement, since I don't really know how to go about it and it seems like a lot of trouble for less than $100. But, it really galls me that someone would do this.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 03:49 PM
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Sounds as though we'll need to decide whether it's worth it to take anything expensive with as long as the cabin-baggage restrictions are in place. To poorly paid baggage handlers, temptation can be just too much. Best not to take a chance, I think.
Dec 3rd, 2006, 04:59 PM
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TSA tags can only be opened and closed within the US, not Europe, so I don't bother with them.
I don't worry so much about never seeing my luggage again, although that would be an eventual problem, I worry more about not having it for all or any portion of my trip. Most of us go to several cities/countries and that makes it hard for it to catch up with us.
I am not even 5' tall and shopping can be a real pain, hemming pants and tops and sleeves, this includes almost everything that I buy to wear, and I dread the thought of ever having to do that while on a trip, especially a four or five week trip. Don't get me wrong, I love to shop and always come home with lots of goodies, but I don't have to do anything to the clothes that I buy until I get home. Forced shopping would be no fun.
Paris will be cold over the holidays and I am trying to figure out how I can board the plane wearing three jackets, a few sweaters and a pair of boots hanging around my neck as an accessory - without loosing my swelt figure
I don't worry so much about never seeing my luggage again, although that would be an eventual problem, I worry more about not having it for all or any portion of my trip. Most of us go to several cities/countries and that makes it hard for it to catch up with us.
I am not even 5' tall and shopping can be a real pain, hemming pants and tops and sleeves, this includes almost everything that I buy to wear, and I dread the thought of ever having to do that while on a trip, especially a four or five week trip. Don't get me wrong, I love to shop and always come home with lots of goodies, but I don't have to do anything to the clothes that I buy until I get home. Forced shopping would be no fun.
Paris will be cold over the holidays and I am trying to figure out how I can board the plane wearing three jackets, a few sweaters and a pair of boots hanging around my neck as an accessory - without loosing my swelt figure
Dec 3rd, 2006, 06:10 PM
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Thanks everyone. I'm going to contact Virgin tomorrow morning--couldn't hurt! I had several bottles of perfumes in there (shhh I hope the customs people aren't reading this) and two cashmere sweaters--but, well, I guess the workers would find cigarettes more valuable! Hell, as a smoker, I understand..still, it's annoying!!
