I checked sound equipment (microphones, in-ear monitors, etc) in a Pelican case, complete with locks. When I arrived at my destination, the locks were gone and the equipment was gone also.

I reported the theft and was advised (I knew it was coming) that they are not responsible for it, won't cover anything but clothes, shoes, and toiletries. They first tried to finger TSA. No way. I departed a small airport, with only Continental Airlines. We are working out of a temporary terminal while the Hurricane damaged one is being rebuilt. As much as I fly I know the agents and the TSA crew very well. They advised me on the best locks to use, and advised that I have name and phone number on the case in case the tags get pulled off. This was the first flight with the new case. I stood there while they checked the locks with their master key, to insure they worked right and someone wouldn't have to cut them off. I watched as the Continental agent (now done by AA agents....) sent it up the conveyer on the airplane. The plane is parked right outside the window of the temp terminal. I saw it go into the baggage hold on the plane. I saw the locks in place.

I had a 4 hour layover in IAH... plenty of time for someone to get to it. When I arrived in GSP, I noticed the locks were missing. I opened it and the equipment was gone. They left the large CD/DVD players, the transmitters and receivers for the wireless rigs. It was rack mounted and would have been hard to slip it out of the area without being seen. I was told "off the record" pelican cases have the reputation of carrying expensive equipment/tools and are singled out by the experienced thief.

They asked me to fill out all the paperwork... I asked why? what good will it do? Will it be covered... no. I was pretty frustrated by that time. It really hurt that the equipment was for two ladies in a USO show, who were going to play for VA hospitals and the Wounded Warriors. Some lowlife helped himself/herself to the equipment.

So now I will have to bring the smaller equipment with me on the plane with me. They will soon have to take out half the seats and put in lockers for all the stuff we are forced to carry with us.

I would file the paperwork. I did this and was compensated correctly. I would also explain in a short letter the situation and put any individuals names that you recall in the letter so CO can follow up.

I'd also file a police report

FedEx next time?

I considered FedEX and UPS. We fly into the VA hospital on Friday night perform Saturday then out on Sunday morning. It is hard to be able to find a way to ship it on Sunday morning. Leaving it with the Hotels is not a sure thing. I am also a Meeting Planner, and leaving the item with the front desk, who must transfer it to the back shipping department, who must have the instructions transfered correctly, who must find it all monday morning... is "if" at best. It is an option, but not a very good one.

next time carry valueables on-board...

or leave dirty condoms on your equipment.. and they wont touch it

In all honesty, that is, perhaps, the best idea I've ever read on FT. :-::-::-:

Roflmao!

Try it.. you can wrap a diamond ring ( cubic zirconia for testing purposes only) around it and see if they steal that..

I've been a victim of stolen Timberland boots... and now I just have a plain crilked condon hanging out of it and guess what .. the shoes are still with me.. Good Luck!

You never know till you try something weird and crazy.. , but not to crazy to get arrested..

It would be fun to take an expensive looking piece of electronic equipment and fit it with a tracking device (you can buy them for your pets/very small). When it gets stolen, follow it to the thief. That's why these people continue to do it. They know they'll never get caught and that the airline will always defend them. How about requiring cameras in all areas that baggage travels?

With all due respect, it sounds like you have enough experience to have known better. I think you need to figure out a way for 3rd party shipping to work for you and forget the airlines. Perhaps a courier who is insured can receive the equipment on Sunday and ship Monday?

I disagree to an extent. Yes, the pax has some responsibility in knowingly transporting something expensive, but it still doesn't absolve the airlines having responsibility and control over their thieving baggage handlers. I remember talking to one person in a hotel who had $1000 and their wallet stolen out of the room safe. (a lot of people don't realize that housekeepers sometimes have a master code for these things). When he complained to the front desk, they pointed out the tiny disclaimer that said they weren't responsible for anything kept in the room, even the safe. If he had something valuable, he should have put it in the main safe at registration. Hogwash. You yank the housekeeper in to your office and you fire him/her immediately. Same goes with baggage handlers. You find out who was handling the baggage for that airline at that time, you pull them all in to the office and you start playing good cop/bad cop until one of them squeals. Then you have them arrested. It shouldn't be so difficult.

I laughed when I read that, but it actually sounds like a great idea.

Except a lot of ramp agents and other folks are unionized. I don't think you can simply question and fire people in that environment, but I'm not 100% sure.