Virgin America Elevate - Virgin america gate check luggage theft

Flew Virgin America for the first time from FLL to LAX. Eager gate attendants asked passengers who had carry-on luggage to do a gate check of any carry-on they did not think they needed. After hundreds of thousands of miles and over 100 countries visited, I stupidly responded to this cheery request suffering a total lapse of my well-honed travel savvy. My first thought was on the homeward bound trip I would not need my carry-on nor worry about having a days worth of clothes incase my checked luggage did not arrive.

However I completely forgot I had my roll of costume jewelry in my carry-on which I always keep by my side -not because it is valuable but because it can look valuable to scanners and be marked for at least pilfering. But surely doing a gate check would not subject it to pilfering while it was actually on the flight, would it?

Well, sadly I learned not only did it get pilfered, but the single item of any value in the whole costume jewelry roll - a 10K gold bangle taken off because it always sets off security alarms -- was the one thing missing. My only guess is indeed gate-checks are marauded by staff on board so I tell my tale of travel stupidity to remind one and all to never ever let crime have a chance when you can retain 100% control over your valuables. And even near valuables.

A pair of well-loved unique costume jewelry earrings was also missing, of no more than sentimental value.

As this is not a trip report I shall move it on to the Virgin America Elevate forum.

Moomba
Moderator: Trip Reports

When did you travel?

It why these regulations at the airport get me so much.... because it's so hard to part with anything knowing this kind of stuff happens.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. And it's always the case when you realize you've left something of value also.

Hi there,

Are you 100% sure that the 10K gold bangle was in the carry-on? If so, how was it packed? Have you checked elsewhere for it?

I ask these questions because sometimes the memory can play tricks.

All the best.

You are covered by insurance, right?

Hi there,

Are you 100% sure that the 10K gold bangle was in the carry-on? If so, how was it packed? Have you checked elsewhere for it?

I ask these questions because sometimes the memory can play tricks.

All the best.

I put it in my jewelry roll because I learned it would always set off the metal detector if I left it on. It was not that expensive (10K gold $175 or so when I bought it) so no, it was not scheduled on my personal property insurance.

The other "funny" thing about this story is I immediately knew I should not have done this and fretted the whole way and the first thing I did when I got my carry-on bag back was to look at the bottom for the jewelry roll and found it - phew, I thought I missed the bullet on that one. It was not until I got home and did my unpacking did I realize this one item of any value was the one thing missing. So I did surround this whole event with bad karma --and I made it come true! Yippee.

My beef is they obviously pilfered my belongings after this left my custody as a "gate check" and they knew to take only the "good stuff" (fenceable) among the obvious costume jewelry. And they apparently someone had enough leisure time and dedication to do this while we were in the air from FLL to LAX.

No, I also did not report this to Virgin as once a trip is over I lose track of all my little tickets and things for flight numbers. I bring this up more as travel advice about "gate check in" luggage of your carry-on. Don't be complacent. That was my $175 lesson.

(assuming everything the OP said is true) I am sorry about your loss.

Am I the only one who read '10k gold bangle' to mean $10,000? I was wondering why the OP wasn't more freaked out.

(assuming everything the OP said is true) I am sorry about your loss.

Am I the only one who read '10k gold bangle' to mean $10,000? I was wondering why the OP wasn't more freaked out.

Well it wasn't the OP's 100K gold bangle.

My beef is they obviously pilfered my belongings after this left my custody as a "gate check" and they knew to take only the "good stuff" (fenceable) among the obvious costume jewelry. And they apparently someone had enough leisure time and dedication to do this while we were in the air from FLL to LAX.


Not only would someone need leisure time and dedication to do this in the air, they'd need oxygen masks and the ability to go into a cargo hold while in flight.

The most likely place where this happened was on the ground at LAX. Wouldn't be the first time.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-delta-lax-thefts,0,7674828.story
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003569894_webhandlers13.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703581204574599953475913542.html

(assuming everything the OP said is true) I am sorry about your loss.

Am I the only one who read '10k gold bangle' to mean $10,000? I was wondering why the OP wasn't more freaked out.

Oh dear, yes I should have explained it was 10 Karat gold - the cheap and sturdy stuff, but it is still solid gold and worth a heck of a lot more with the current prices of gold. So it wasn't the value, it was letting myself get duped doing a "gate check" for carry on.

Yes, it could have happened at LAX since I had to wait for that now "gate checked" bag to come in on the regular luggage carousel. That too was a bit of belated info. I assumed I would be able to pick it up at the cabin door. Word to the wise, or make that word to the stupid like I was.