Comments on: “I opened the suitcase only to be completely shocked, appalled and dismayed at what I found”

By: Jean

Jean — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 23:58:18 +0000

I collect state quarters which I get in change. When I travel, I put them in a ziploc bag so they’re not weighing down my purse. I usually put the bag in my carryon, but recently on my way from Hawaii to Las Vegas I unthinkingly placed it in one of my checked bags. When I got to Las Vegas and unpacked, the bag was no where to be found. The total value of the quarters in the bag was less than $10, so the loss was certainly small, but since it was my first experience with having something stolen from my checked bag it was certainly discouraging. I am very careful about what I pack, and have been lucky in never having been the victim of theft in close to 750,000 miles of air travel, so I just chalked this one up to experience and didn’t bother to report it.

By: Candy

Candy — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:04:52 +0000

While on a return Continental flight from Fort Walton Beach to Kansas City, My checked bag was opened, several things where STOLEN, the bag zipped back up, with no one the wiser. No damage to the bag to warn me things weren’t as I had left them, when I entrusted the airlines with my things. Things I had had to pay extra for Continental to check…… were missing when I retrieved my bag at baggage claim. Upon arriving home I didn’t rush to unpack. The next day I started putting things away, still not realizing I was missing things. When I started to dawn on me I couldn’t find my make up and then my jewelry I called the hotel to make sure I hadn’t left them there. This all took time so by the time I called the airlines they informed me I should have called them within 4 hrs. after receiving my bags. How can you report something your not aware of? The airlines had me complete a form that I labored over…….. they wanted receipts, places of purchase, date of purchase, descriptions of items. I sent them 25 pages of information on my possessions. I got a letter back saying because I hadn’t called within 4 hrs. they couldn’t do anything about my loose. Someone that worked for them opened my bag (that was not locked because your not suppose to lock your bags) and STOLE my things. Sorry….. nothing we can do…….we’re not responsible for everyone who handles your luggage. OK,,, so who else can I call?……. sorry ….,no one. We’re very sorry.

TO ME THIS IS GIVING THOSE EMPLOYED AT THE AIRPORTS THE GREEN LIGHT TO STEAL WHAT EVER THEY WANT…..NOTHINGS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT!!!!

My daughter just got married, my son is in health facility that our insurance won’t pay for and my 60 year old husband can’t find a job. My things that were stolen won’t be replaced. Why can’t people have higher standards for themselves and just do what’s right …..! Don’t take things that don’t belong to you……

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:49:20 +0000

The best advice here is to carry all of your valuables in your carry on luggage, ship it by UPS/FedEx, or leave it at home. My mom never places her jewelry in checked in luggage. So, there is nothing for the thieves to steal.

By: Charles Lichtenwalner

Charles Lichtenwalner — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:22:07 +0000

After years of coping with the inefficiencies of the baggage processes of ALL airlines, my travelling compnaion and I will only travel with an approved (TravelPro – like flight crews use) carry-on case. We just did a three-week cruise/tour of Paris-Normandy and recently a six-week train tour of Switzerland using these cases. Self-washable clothes and underwear make it very feasible. The carry-on and a small “male bag” complete all our equipment.

By: karen

karen — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:17:08 +0000

i lost my sons very expensive electronics worth $400 and no i have nothing and also desiner perfumes worth $1500

By: Jeffrey Groves

Jeffrey Groves — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:23:19 +0000

COPA airlines is just as bad. They ate chocolate bars my wife was bringing for her family in Ecuador. What was worse, they threw the wrappers back in the suitcase. Of course, numerous other items were gone, and they will do nothing about it.

By: robbed@flysfo.com

robbed@flysfo.com — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:12:01 +0000

On Dec. 24th departing SFO on non-stop, 2 out of 3 bags checked in early were discovered at destination hotel (with no one else handling the bags except TSA and airline) to have been opened. 1 bag with nothing missing and TSA inspection card inside; the other with no TSA card but many missing bottles and tubes of regular brand name toiletries, some new, some partially used. Bag had been completely gone through and partially-refilled by someone with time to empty several separate compartments/ pouches in the bag. Odd choice of what was stolen from bag with nothing of great invidual value. Buying replacements Christmas eve at destination cost over $40.00, but only because had to pay extortion prices at only place open. When reported to the airline the day after Christmas, was told that it was more than 24 hours so had to deal with HQ. TSA said fill out the form. I suspect airline baggage handlers at SFO but with both airline and TSA involved, both can point to the other as potentially at fault, leaving traveler with no one ultimately reponsible. I avoid checking luggage whenever possible but had too much stuff to carry on this trip. Next time, will try to cram even more in maximum-size carry on bags, hogging bin-space and slowing boarding. Merry Christmas.

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:44:56 +0000

The thefts are primarily committed by the baggage handlers employed by the airlines – not TSA employees. TSA checkpoints are generally well-monitored and under observation at all times (but good luck trying to get a videotape of a recorded incident!). Baggage handling areas, on the other hand, are far from the public purview.

By: Cliff Woodrick

Cliff Woodrick — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:27:56 +0000

Hi – I always use small electrical cable ties to seal my suitcases. When the TSA opens my bag as they did a couple of times, they cut off the cable ties, check the contacts, leave an official printed note ( plus once the TSA people were retired Navy as I am & left a personal note) then they resealed my bags with a different colored tie. As of date I have never had a problem and we travel by air twelve times a year both foreign and domestic.
Have a wonderful day – Cliff

By: Sono Niss

Sono Niss — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:11:05 +0000

The only way that the airlines and TSA will take action is to hold them responsible. We know that this will never happen as we have bureaucracies that, from the presidents office down, consider the US Public as nothing more than cannon fodder..to be plucked until dead…

It has worked for them for the past 20+ years..why stop now….the Judges & Courts just play along…When will we, as the public, start peaceful marching….or..better yet..do as Lou Dobbs suggested..in the next election, vote against every standing member of both houses..throw each & everyone out of office..then start on the (un)Swival Service…

By: Jack Pray

Jack Pray — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:19:28 +0000

I also experienced a total loss of my luggage on an American Airlines flight from Palm Springs to La Guardia, connecting through Dallas. I checked my bags curbside in Palm Springs on August 21st, 2007 but upon arriving at La Guardia they were not on the arrival carosol. I was told there were several flights comiing in at the same time and to be patient. After waiting for almost 2 hours, still no bag. I made a claim at that time with AA and went on to my hotel in NYC. I was never contacted by AA about my luggage status. All calls that were made were originated by me. Long story short though, I submitted a claim with AA with a list of all articles in my luggage, totaling over $3,300. Exactly 5 month later, after many repeated calls to AA, I did receive a reimbursement check in the amount of $3,000, which is the total amount of liability that AA is srequired by their contract to pay. I truly believe though that had I not continually stayed in contacat with AA that I would have never received reimbursement.

By: mort herman

mort herman — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:21:01 +0000

despair has finally reached me. i am going on my last cruise in a few weeks (instead of the usual 4 per year); i have given up flying both domestic and international (i was a first class passenger) with the exception of visits to my grandchild who lives less than a 500 mile flight (no checking of baggage).

i am tired of the security checks, the air traffic problems, the crowds, the lack of civility of airline people, etc. etc. etc.

i suppose if there is an emergency reason to fly i will (i hope not) but that’s it. i feel sorry for those whose business needs require them to fly. i’m thankful i’m not one of them. it is a sad time.

By: robbed@adelphia.net

robbed@adelphia.net — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:53:21 +0000

If they TSA and baggage handlers are corrupt thieves, they could be bribed to put bombs in the luggage, we could be killed by the people we entrust to protect us.

Rich

By: clearvocie

clearvocie — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:54:43 +0000

The airline industry is broken. They don’t care about us. complaining is their way of getting amused. They say the do everything possible to return your luggage. They look in the bags, look for for names, addresses, phone numbers, BULL !!!!…
A TV spot with 20/20 showed they don’t anything. All our STUFF goes to a place in Alabama called Unclaimed Luggage where it is sold.
When 20/20 was there, they were many items with names and phone numbers clearly marked and no one ever received a call. Its clear that the airline industry is on the take and get a piece of the action.
Hold on as it will only get worse…

By: Gumbeaux

Gumbeaux — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:06:17 +0000

OK, let’s put a different spin on this problem. If it is so easy for TSA or airline personnel to steal from luggage or whole bags, how difficult can it be to smuggle illegal items in? I mean, one breach in security one way must be assumed to be as serious as any other breach. Having thieves working for TSA or an airline is just as serious as having terrorists. Criminals are criminals and will do anything for a buck. How difficult would it be for a terrorist cell to get one of these theives to do a reverse theft? Put contraband in a bag, bomb, drugs, black market items, etc. while they are taking stuff out. The opportunity for blackmail is apparent also. Do airline and TSA employees have to carry those see through totes or purses like retail employess? Seems they should be searched leaving their job just as well as arriving.