I read these boards all the time and enjoy the answers one receives from his/her questions and I thought I'd ask a "travel" related question that I am finding to be a dilemma. I was going through security at an airport and my bag fell over (on the conveyor belt) and a vase my mother had just given me for my birthday (that day!) fell off the conveyor belt on the employee side and smashed into pieces. It is not replaceable as it was a handmade beautiful vase. They apoligized for the sccident and kind of rushed me off. One guy said to fill out an accident report ~ which I quickly did. He didn't give me a copy of the report but did give me a number to call if I didn't hear from anyone. I called the number several days later and got an answering machine. I left a message but no one has replied. Should I follow through or just give up. Are they liable for the damage to my birthday gift?? Thanks for the opinions.

By all means, follow up.

You may get some snide remarks from others, but let me say I think you are out of luck. The vase should have been packed better (so that it wouldn't fall out). Now, if the bag was closed and they opened it, rearranged your articles, and the vase fell out...different story. But from what you described I don't think you will get (or deserve) any compensation. However, I am sorry that this happened to you.

Follow up, but be ready to accept a degree of responsibility for not packing your unreplaceable handmade vase a little better.

x so now this is what all the people are doing that hate their jobs coming online and knocking someone that is already down. Get dressed turn off the computer and start changing your life now.

Sorry, traveler, but I have to agree with those who said there's no dilemma, you should have packed the vase better. I cannot see holding the staff liable for something falling out of your bag when it fell over -- that's something that they could reasonably assume that any traveler should anticipate a a routine part of going through security.

Any time I have had any super fragile items to travel with, I hand carry them. I do not pack them in any bag. I hand them to security. Never had a problem. It's a pain sometimes to carry the stuff, but it keeps it whole.

DDD - you are quite funny! I don't know, but I may have to agree (especially with CF) I should have been more aware of the vase. I actually allowed my husband to carry the bag and he put the bag on the conveyor belt. I would have probably taken the vase out if I was carrying the bag but I didn't think about it. I think I am more upset that the people at the airport didn't seem to care that it broke and then no one has contacted me about it even to say they aren't liable! They are just ignoring the situation. I miss my vase Thak you for the opinions though. I don't know what I'd do without this site!

seems to me noone is traveling. Look at the other post headings you are not likely to receive an opinion from someone with any kind of intelligence. Just looks like people are hanging out throwing stones here and there. Perhaps this will change more towards May.

Traveler,

You said..."...and my bag fell over (on the conveyor belt).

If that 's the case, why was the bag upright? If you had laid it down on the belt, it couldn't have fallen over.

I would seem as the the fualt lies with you...sorry.

yes another angry unemployed or job unhappy poster at fodors take it away zzzz

Kate,

What is your problem? I don't see that you had anything to add to ths thread.

Unless the security person picks up an item and drops it, why should they be responsible?

Computers have been stolen in large numbers at the end of the conveyor belts, and the airport/airline is not held responsible. Then why should they assume libaility in this case.

It would appear that you are the angry person, not I. This board would be so much nicer if people could just disagree without getting personal.

Ps. I am not unemployed and I travel enough that enough that I have over 500,000 miles in my frequent flyer accounts.

Geez - Be nice people. Hey ZZZZ can I have some of those 500,000 airmiles!! What the heck are ya going to do with soooo many!

zzz have to agree with Kate it is obvious that you are projecting here. Your tone is the tip off.

I can tell you I am angry it seems no real travelers are left here only people who seem to come on this board to post hostile responses. I am sorry if you think about it you will see you are projecting about something else. Why else would you feel the need to come on here and say sorry if the bag fell over it's your fault. Why?

Just a thought about why Kate reacted the way she did. You ever here the expression you get back what you put out? Seem it applys to you here.

You are supposed to lay things on their sides anyway. It is too bad but you are the responsible party here.

Mary,

I have no idea what you are talking about. What am I "projecting"?

I said. "I would seem as the the fault lies with you"...sorry. You think that was hostile?

The sorry was that it had broken and there would be no compensation for damage. And yes, an item that was properly packaged or laid down would have eliminated this.

No security person touched the vase until after it had broken. If you think he should be compensated, then come right a out and say it(along with your reasoning).

Unlike you, I welcome different viewpoints on this board. However, your rudeness is unecessary,

Enough already I don't think anyone has been hostile!! I think just honest opinions, which is what I asked for!!!!!!!!!