Robbed at national airport
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Anonymous
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I went to a baby shower in NYC this weekend. I flew from national on the us airways shuttle. I'm very pregnant, so I decided to check my bag (two days clothes, a gift, laptop, etc) so that I didn't have to lift it. My bag wasn't locked (tsa rules, right?) but it was closed and had a non-locking clip on it. I got to my destination, and was horrified to find that my laptop, the present and personal items (including a lingerie bag with my bra and panties!) were missing from my luggage.
I filed reports with the airline (they're sorry but don't reimburse for losses) and the airport police (they didn't even say sorry, and directed me to file on line rather than over the phone or in person - how useless!) right away. I'm upset about my missing things - the computer had so much data, what a pain! And what is the person going to do with my personal items? Is there a huge black market is used bras, razors and costume jewelry that I'm unaware of? But I'm mostly upset because US Airways Shuttle and the police were so callous about the whole thing. They could barely be bothered to take my reports, and I have no expectation that it will be looked into or no tiny hope for justice. Security at my workplace, or even the neighborhood police near my home, would have been WAY more responsive and helpful - but the airline and airport people didn't take it seriously. No wonder airline/airport employees get away with these crimes right under their noses! Yes, I know that I should have kept my laptop with me - lesson learned. But I wanted to post this as a warning for other travelers, and to see if anyone has other follow up suggestions, besides carrying on my luggage from now on. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| Presumably you paid for your flight with a CC, so you should check the terms of your CC to see if it includes any sort of travel insurance. Maybe they can help. |
Anonymous
| Wow..this is rare. I actually left a wallet with hundreds of dollars on the plane..it was returned intact. Right from national sorry this happened to you! |
Anonymous
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I'm so sorry OP but never ever check anything valuable. It's widely known that this happens. I bet that's why folks were callous. It's like leaving your front door unlocked when you go away.
Why don't airlines reimburse? Folks could file bogus claims. Also get a backup system for your next laptop! |
Anonymous
| And the people who robbed you will probably hide a pair of boxcutters or a even a bomb on board your plane. |
Anonymous
| Also file a report directly with TSA...they should have video of just about everything |
Anonymous
| oh wow!, sorry OP. I guess I need to stop checking personal items on airlines. I thought there was a reasonable expectation of finding your things intact, I guess not. |
Anonymous
Then I would reach out directly to the VP of USAirways and Marketing and let them know what happened. If you are a frequent flier - tell them so. After that is over, I would reach out to the FTC and send them a copy of the information about your stolen laptop. I would let them know you are concerned about identity theft and that the police not taking the report. It is their job to track down when local police do not file a report. I would forward a copy of this email/letter to the police officer and USAir. File a report with TSA and let them know about how the police and USA handled the investigation. I would forward a copy of this email/letter to the polce and USAir Once you are done with this, as a last step - I would follow up with the press officer from the local police agency and let THEM know what happened and let them know all the actions you have taken. Let them know you are HIGHLY concerned that the police did not follow procedures in taking a police report and that you are, as a concerned citizen, sure they will be reaching back out to you ASAP to follow up again within 24 hours. I'm sure you'lll get a call ASAP. |
Anonymous
OP I am so sorry you had to go through that!! I do have to agree though with the above poster. Computers should always come with you on the plane as well as other valuables. I know that is probably too much when you are so pregnant, but it is a huge risk to pack something so valuable in a bag you check in. Hope the airline is able to find out who did this, but I do understand why it isn't high priority. These days they have to worry about suicide bombers and other major security threats. I think most airlines suggest you bring valuables with you on the plane so if someone doesn't follow their suggestions it not going to be worth the cost of getting someone to check out video cameras and interview people rather than focusing on life threatening issues. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
| You CAN lock your bags. There are TSA-approved luggage locks available at travel stores. I still wouldn't check anything valuable (jewelry, electronics, etc), as I'm sure the locks are easy to defeat or cut off, but it is a deterrent to the casual thief. I even use them on my carry-on, partially in case I have to gate check it, and partially to make it less attractive to thieves. And I like to think it will reduce the chances of the zipper slipping open and my undies spilling out. |
Anonymous
| I would guess it was a woman who lifted your stuff. You'd be surprised at what some people will steal, OP. Sorry this happened. |
Anonymous
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This is a very common "occurance" and why you should never check valuables. Even if you lock your luggage then they can cut the lock off.
Chalk it up to a lesson learned. TSA doesn't care nor does the airline. |
Anonymous
TSA employees are often the people doing the stealing. There was just something in the news the other day of a TSA officer stealing a large sum of money out of someone's coat pocket as it went through the x-ray machine at security. |
Anonymous
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I second 09:10.
Make a big stink of it all over and they'll reimburse your every cent! |