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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 7:22 pm
  #91  
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Originally Posted by Dr. HFH
They can, I believe. Similar to a security guard checking your bags as you leave a department store. However, I believe that you have the right to insist that a police officer (as opposed to a private security guard) do the search if you're willing to wait for one. I did that once at a department store, -- insisted that they could call the police or I would walk out.
A security guard has zero right to go through your bags as you leave. In fact in most states they can't force you to show the receipt they're fond of asking for at the exit. A security guard can detain you if and only if they know that you stole or were intending to steal something. A guard can require you to consent to a search to be given permission to enter. However they can't force you to open your bag when you leave.

The police, nor the airline have any right to search you in this case. The police could be called in, but without a warrant or proof, the search would be illegal. They cant conduct a mass search. The airline FA would have to certify they saw you take it, not simply that you might have it for officer to have proof. In doing so the FA and airline become liable if FA lied to get the search done.
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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 7:24 pm
  #92  
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Originally Posted by Dr. HFH
They can, I believe. Similar to a security guard checking your bags as you leave a department store. However, I believe that you have the right to insist that a police officer (as opposed to a private security guard) do the search if you're willing to wait for one. I did that once at a department store, -- insisted that they could call the police or I would walk out.
I am certain that the department store has no right to check your bags either. There is a whole thread about it.
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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 7:30 pm
  #93  
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Whatever! On so many levels! Somebody in F, J, or Y-write a check and move this thing along!
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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 8:27 pm
  #94  
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Originally Posted by Dr. HFH
They can, I believe. Similar to a security guard checking your bags as you leave a department store. However, I believe that you have the right to insist that a police officer (as opposed to a private security guard) do the search if you're willing to wait for one. I did that once at a department store, -- insisted that they could call the police or I would walk out.
My understanding of the law in California is that they can NOT go through your bags as you leave a department store. They can detain you while law enforcement is called IF they have reasonable grounds to do so -- otherwise they can be liable for false imprisonment and, if the physically prevent you from leaving, battery.

The exception is membership stores like Costco, where membership includes agreeing to inspection of personal items.

As for the plane context, if any airline personnel ever demanded to go through my carry-ons, I'd tell them, "call a LEO when we land and, in the interim, please let me know the address of the airline's agent for service of process."

I'm also unaware of any state or federal statute or CFR that allows an airline to hold passengers hostage until some would-be miscreant turns in a headphone he attempted to steal. Are you?
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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 8:48 pm
  #95  
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Originally Posted by AshleyF
Hmm. Unusual .ON AA72 to LAX About to take off and the missing headset has not been found.
Security supposed to go thru all bags if it isn't found during the flight.
Could be interesting.
Looks like the flight departed nearly on time -- was the item found? Keep us posted after you land!
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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 8:51 pm
  #96  
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Even Costco where you agree to the terms can't make you undergo a search when leaving. They can void your membership of you refuse, but that's it. It would be a simple civil matter that police would refuse to get involved in.
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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 8:59 pm
  #97  
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Originally Posted by PTravel
I'm also unaware of any state or federal statute or CFR that allows an airline to hold passengers hostage until some would-be miscreant turns in a headphone he attempted to steal. Are you?
Hm, so the universally cited rule that you must "follow crewmember instructions", at least for US Flag Carriers, is codified in 14 CFR 121.317(k):

"(k) Each passenger shall comply with instructions given him or her by a crewmember regarding compliance with paragraphs (f), (g), (h), and (l) of this section."

f, g, h, i are about fastening safety belts and smoking. My reading of some cases suggests that appeals courts have ruled in favor of the airlines whenever a passenger fails to follow a rule related to safety (such as blocking the aisles, etc), so I think that it's safe to say that broadly speaking you have to follow all crewmember instructions related to safety.

I think though, it would be hard to sell a missing headphone as safety related. I doubt the FAs have any authority under any CFR to search your bags.

But then airline CoCs usually require that you follow all crewmember instructions, usually under some "acceptance of passengers" provision. So I guess they could blacklist you on future flights.


I think really though, AA needs to rethink its stupid headphone policy. It's really annoying and kills the "premium" experience. I mean none of the other airlines I've been on do this...
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Old Jan 14, 2017 | 10:43 pm
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Originally Posted by no2chem
Hm, so the universally cited rule that you must "follow crewmember instructions", at least for US Flag Carriers, is codified in 14 CFR 121.317(k):

"(k) Each passenger shall comply with instructions given him or her by a crewmember regarding compliance with paragraphs (f), (g), (h), and (l) of this section."

f, g, h, i are about fastening safety belts and smoking. My reading of some cases suggests that appeals courts have ruled in favor of the airlines whenever a passenger fails to follow a rule related to safety (such as blocking the aisles, etc), so I think that it's safe to say that broadly speaking you have to follow all crewmember instructions related to safety.

I think though, it would be hard to sell a missing headphone as safety related. I doubt the FAs have any authority under any CFR to search your bags.
CFR's, like all statutory law, must conform to the Constitution. The Fourth Amendment precludes illegal search and seizure. Regardless, CFR or no CFR, the airlines are subject all other civil and criminal law unless statutorily-exempted (for example, the ADA doesn't apply to commercial air carriers, but the ACAA does instead).

Someone pinching a pair of NC headphones is not safety-related and, irrespective of what over-zealous FAs may think, the requirement to follow crew instructions doesn't extend to unlawful demands.

But then airline CoCs usually require that you follow all crewmember instructions, usually under some "acceptance of passengers" provision. So I guess they could blacklist you on future flights.
The CoCs are contractual. Though you can waive certain rights by contract, there are limits. I would be happy to represent a client on contingency who was suing an airline because he experienced a serious medical condition but wasn't allowed off the plane to seek aid because the FAs wouldn't let anyone disembark because they couldn't find a headphone. For that matter, I'd sue for myself in small claims court if I missed a connection because the FAs wouldn't let anyone off the plane until a headphone was returned.

I think really though, AA needs to rethink its stupid headphone policy. It's really annoying and kills the "premium" experience. I mean none of the other airlines I've been on do this...
I agree. Of course, I always bring my own Bose phones and IFE, so it would be no hardship to me if it was eliminated entirely.
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 12:29 am
  #99  
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Originally Posted by vasantn
I am certain that the department store has no right to check your bags either. There is a whole thread about it.
Just goes to show how much I miss in all this criminal stuff as a divorce litigator.
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 11:32 am
  #100  
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Originally Posted by PTravel
My understanding of the law in California is that they can NOT go through your bags as you leave a department store. They can detain you while law enforcement is called IF they have reasonable grounds to do so -- otherwise they can be liable for false imprisonment and, if the physically prevent you from leaving, battery.
You might want to take a look at California Penal Code section 490.5(f), particular (f)(4):
(f) (1) A merchant may detain a person for a reasonable time for the purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner whenever the merchant has probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting to unlawfully take or has unlawfully taken merchandise from the merchants premises.

A theater owner may detain a person for a reasonable time for the purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner whenever the theater owner has probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting to operate a video recording device within the premises of a motion picture theater without the authority of the owner of the theater.

A person employed by a library facility may detain a person for a reasonable time for the purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner whenever the person employed by a library facility has probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting to unlawfully remove or has unlawfully removed books or library materials from the premises of the library facility.

(2) In making the detention a merchant, theater owner, or a person employed by a library facility may use a reasonable amount of nondeadly force necessary to protect himself or herself and to prevent escape of the person detained or the loss of tangible or intangible property.

(3) During the period of detention any items which a merchant or theater owner, or any items which a person employed by a library facility has probable cause to believe are unlawfully taken from the premises of the merchant or library facility, or recorded on theater premises, and which are in plain view may be examined by the merchant, theater owner, or person employed by a library facility for the purposes of ascertaining the ownership thereof.

(4) A merchant, theater owner, a person employed by a library facility, or an agent thereof, having probable cause to believe the person detained was attempting to unlawfully take or has taken any item from the premises, or was attempting to operate a video recording device within the premises of a motion picture theater without the authority of the owner of the theater, may request the person detained to voluntarily surrender the item or recording. Should the person detained refuse to surrender the recording or item of which there is probable cause to believe has been recorded on or unlawfully taken from the premises, or attempted to be recorded or unlawfully taken from the premises, a limited and reasonable search may be conducted by those authorized to make the detention in order to recover the item. Only packages, shopping bags, handbags or other property in the immediate possession of the person detained, but not including any clothing worn by the person, may be searched pursuant to this subdivision. Upon surrender or discovery of the item, the person detained may also be requested, but may not be required, to provide adequate proof of his or her true identity.

(5) If any person admitted to a theater in which a motion picture is to be or is being exhibited, refuses or fails to give or surrender possession or to cease operation of any video recording device that the person has brought into or attempts to bring into that theater, then a theater owner shall have the right to refuse admission to that person or request that the person leave the premises and shall thereupon offer to refund and, unless that offer is refused, refund to that person the price paid by that person for admission to that theater. If the person thereafter refuses to leave the theater or cease operation of the video recording device, then the person shall be deemed to be intentionally interfering with and obstructing those attempting to carry on a lawful business within the meaning of Section 602.1.

(6) A peace officer who accepts custody of a person arrested for an offense contained in this section may, subsequent to the arrest, search the person arrested and his or her immediate possessions for any item or items alleged to have been taken.

(7) In any civil action brought by any person resulting from a detention or arrest by a merchant, it shall be a defense to such action that the merchant detaining or arresting such person had probable cause to believe that the person had stolen or attempted to steal merchandise and that the merchant acted reasonably under all the circumstances.

In any civil action brought by any person resulting from a detention or arrest by a theater owner or person employed by a library facility, it shall be a defense to that action that the theater owner or person employed by a library facility detaining or arresting that person had probable cause to believe that the person was attempting to operate a video recording device within the premises of a motion picture theater without the authority of the owner of the theater or had stolen or attempted to steal books or library materials and that the person employed by a library facility acted reasonably under all the circumstances.
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 2:23 pm
  #101  
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Originally Posted by Always Flyin
You might want to take a look at California Penal Code section 490.5(f), particular (f)(4):
Did you miss this?

having probable cause to believe the person detained was attempting to unlawfully take or has taken any item from the premises
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 3:06 pm
  #102  
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This happened back on January 8th during my flight from LHR to ORD. Don't think they recovered the missing headset but what exactly do they find hard about doing a simple inventory and allocation count?
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 3:34 pm
  #103  
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Originally Posted by Always Flyin
You might want to take a look at California Penal Code section 490.5(f), particular (f)(4):
You might want to look as well:

"A merchant may detain a person for a reasonable time for the purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner whenever the merchant has probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting to unlawfully take or has unlawfully taken merchandise from the merchants premises."

Probable cause required. It is not probable cause to say, "the person is leaving the store with a bag, so I'm going to detain the person and search the bag."
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Old Jan 15, 2017 | 8:16 pm
  #104  
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Originally Posted by PTravel
You might want to look as well:

"A merchant may detain a person for a reasonable time for the purpose of conducting an investigation in a reasonable manner whenever the merchant has probable cause to believe the person to be detained is attempting to unlawfully take or has unlawfully taken merchandise from the merchants premises."

Probable cause required. It is not probable cause to say, "the person is leaving the store with a bag, so I'm going to detain the person and search the bag."
I've taken to refusing even requests for receipts. I find that that most stores don't employee enough employees to help customers. However they make sure to employ them to harass them as you leave.

OT, I flew PVG-LAX in IFC recently. Was given the Bose after takeoff. Later in flight went and asked the FA in J galley (none up front) for a power adapter. Happily was given one. Amount 1 before landing they came around and asked for headsets. Amount 20 minutes before landing I'm packing up laptop, etc and unplug the power and adapter. I then hand it to the purser who happened to be right by me. See looked at me shocked. In a very accusatory tone asked "where did you get this" like I had gone and taken it out myself. I point out I went and asked the FA for one and he gave it to me. She then proceeded to go find that FA and give him a major chewing out. Apparently he never marked it down and had forgotten giving it to me and purser had filled out paperwork for the loss.
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Old Jan 16, 2017 | 6:29 am
  #105  
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Originally Posted by flyerCO
I've taken to refusing even requests for receipts. I find that that most stores don't employee enough employees to help customers. However they make sure to employ them to harass them as you leave.

OT, I flew PVG-LAX in IFC recently. Was given the Bose after takeoff. Later in flight went and asked the FA in J galley (none up front) for a power adapter. Happily was given one. Amount 1 before landing they came around and asked for headsets. Amount 20 minutes before landing I'm packing up laptop, etc and unplug the power and adapter. I then hand it to the purser who happened to be right by me. See looked at me shocked. In a very accusatory tone asked "where did you get this" like I had gone and taken it out myself. I point out I went and asked the FA for one and he gave it to me. She then proceeded to go find that FA and give him a major chewing out. Apparently he never marked it down and had forgotten giving it to me and purser had filled out paperwork for the loss.
Sounds like a great international first class experience.

Meanwhile, on other carriers (JL, LH, etc.)... They actually trust F passengers enough to keep their Bose headsets until after arriving at the gate. I wonder if they experience as much pilferage? Somehow I doubt it.

-FlyerBeek
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