iPad and notebook STOLEN out of checked luggage.
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Gold (earned), AS, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,527
iPad and notebook STOLEN out of checked luggage.
Was on JFK-LAX trip with a friend of mine. For various reasons I was on DL while she was on VX. Upon arrival in LAX she found that her iPad and notebook computer were gone from her checked luggage.
There was no TSA note. Reports were made to VX, the Port Authority Police, LAXPD and TSA.
After the predictable "Why did she put valuable electronics in her checked luggage?" blame-the-victim responses are done, is there speculation as to who might might've lifted these items? TSA agents? VX personnel? Some other type of airport workers who had access to the bag?
It's all very unsettling.
There was no TSA note. Reports were made to VX, the Port Authority Police, LAXPD and TSA.
After the predictable "Why did she put valuable electronics in her checked luggage?" blame-the-victim responses are done, is there speculation as to who might might've lifted these items? TSA agents? VX personnel? Some other type of airport workers who had access to the bag?
It's all very unsettling.
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,774
Too many hands in too many locations. But what was said is true. You don't put valuables where they can be blindly taken. Pretty common sense.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 51,931
I had a DVD player stolen from my checked bag a few years ago. It wasn't worth that much, but it's pretty annoying. Oddly, they didn't steal the charger, so unless they can find a charger of the same voltage, they stole something from me that will be useless to them.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 697
Yes it's a shame that we live in a world that you can't trust people. Yes your friend is the victim, but she needs to use some common sense and/or read the warnings that say not pack any valuables in your checked luggage.
Even if it made it through, I would have been worried the ipad would have been damaged during transport.
Even if it made it through, I would have been worried the ipad would have been damaged during transport.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,818
I hate to say it, but TSA agents are there when the bags go through the x-ray machines, so only they really know if there is something worth stealing.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 31,757
Would you tape $1000 to your checked luggage and expect it to still be there when you arrived? Pretty much the same thing putting expensive electronics inside checked luggage.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Gold (earned), AS, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,527
Yes, had I known she was planning on putting an iPad in her checked luggage I would've strongly advised against it, but an expensive electronic item being relatively easily available to steal to a small group of transportation professionals IS NO EXCUSE TO STEAL IT. Period.
#11
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 75K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,119
What's unsettling to me is why people continue to put valuable electronics in checked luggage, given the numerous reports of theft and damage, and then complain on FT when there stuff is stolen and/or broken. I just don't get it. 
It's one thing to know the risks and accept them, but is your friend really surprised that her valuables were stolen? The bags go through so many hands out of the sight of others, it's nearly impossible to point the finger at the thief.

It's one thing to know the risks and accept them, but is your friend really surprised that her valuables were stolen? The bags go through so many hands out of the sight of others, it's nearly impossible to point the finger at the thief.
Last edited by mikew99; Nov 19, 11 at 7:19 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Gold (earned), AS, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,527
What's unsettling to me is why people continue to put valuable electronics in checked luggage, given the numerous reports of theft and damage, and then complain on FT when there stuff is stolen and/or broken. I just don't get it. 
It's one thing to know the risks and accept them, but is your friend really surprised that her valuables were stolen?

It's one thing to know the risks and accept them, but is your friend really surprised that her valuables were stolen?
Yes, had I known she was planning on putting an iPad in her checked luggage I would've strongly advised against it, but an expensive electronic item being relatively easily available to steal to a small group of transportation professionals IS NO EXCUSE TO STEAL IT. Period.
#14
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 75K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,119
Yes, had I known she was planning on putting an iPad in her checked luggage I would've strongly advised against it, but an expensive electronic item being relatively easily available to steal to a small group of transportation professionals IS NO EXCUSE TO STEAL IT. Period.
What I don't understand (and so far hasn't been explained) is why your friend did checked here iPad in the first place. You and I both know that the chain of baggage handling is rife with theft. Did she really not know this? Did she willingly ignore the airlines' persistent advice against it? Or did she know and decided to just take her chances and accept the risk?
I would truly like to understand why so many people trust the TSA, baggage handlers, and the airlines with their expensive items when there have been so many problems in the past!
#15
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CA
Posts: 134
Taping $1000 to the outside luggage is different than stowing items in a closed private bag. I would expect all transportation professionals, whether they be Virgin baggage handlers or TSA, that are entrusted with the luggage to not commit robbery.
Yes, had I known she was planning on putting an iPad in her checked luggage I would've strongly advised against it, but an expensive electronic item being relatively easily available to steal to a small group of transportation professionals IS NO EXCUSE TO STEAL IT. Period.
Yes, had I known she was planning on putting an iPad in her checked luggage I would've strongly advised against it, but an expensive electronic item being relatively easily available to steal to a small group of transportation professionals IS NO EXCUSE TO STEAL IT. Period.