Originally Posted by
jackal
To me, it seems 95% likely it happened at MEX.
Nothing race-based here. If the OP had a 4-hour connection in LAX and the iPad were missing upon arrival at MEX, I'd pin it squarely on the baggage handlers in LAX (or possibly TSA).
Agreed. It's not a question of race, but of opportunity.
I once had some items stolen from my checked luggage during a SEA-DFW trip. A portable GPS as well as some prescription meds were taken from my unlocked bag. I assume it happened at SEA simply because the bag spent more time on the ground there and more people had the opportunity to touch it.
I reported the theft to the SEA Port Police and filed a claim with Alaska, but of course they cited their policy which basically excludes anything valuable. As a consolation, however, they issued me a $75 discount code. I suspect the OP will likely receive something similar.