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American Airlines Complaint - Stolen items out of checked baggage
Complaint
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS -- IF THIS HAS HAPPENED TO YOU. SPEAK UP. IF YOU HAVE GIVEN UP DUE TO THE HASSLE THE AIRLINE PUTS YOU THRU IN FILING A CLAIM, SPEAK UP.
I recently attended a sales meeting in Ft. Lauderdale. During this conference, there was to be two days of golf. So being an avid golfer, I decided to take my own golf clubs instead of renting. Ina ddition to my own clubs, I bought a box of rather expensive cigars to take with me for the two days of golf. (Afterall, what is a round of golf without stoggies?)
Anyways, being the frequent flyer I am, I stuck the box of cigars as well as my favorite cigar cutter and lighter in the golf bag carrier (this is a hard shell travel carrier which the actual golf bag gets stored in). I did this since I was aware that these items would not make it thru security clearance with my carry on luggage. When I check the golf travel carrier,
I was advised by the agent that the bag had to be unlocked (which it was) since in all likelihood, the carrier would be examined by TSA/security. Everything appeared to be ok up to this point.
Upon my arrival at my hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, I was getting ready for the first golf outing. When I opened my golf luggage, I immediately noticed that the box of cigars as well as the cigar cutter and lighter were missing from the carrier. There was no doubt they were stolen since that were positioned in such a manner they would not fall out of the carrier.
I called the Logan airport, baggage claim office of American Airlines to file a claim and immediately started ot get the run around on filing the claim. First they told me they were not responsible, that TSA was and I had to file a claim with them. TSA informed me they were not and that I had to file the claim with FT Lauderdale. Ft. Lauderdale finally "accepted" my claim, but now (over a month later) is telling me that AA Dallas (central baggage claims) has to handle it since the value is over $300.00 (the box of cigars was $125, the cigar cutter and lighter were gold plated and an anniversary gift from my wife, no value can be attached to them since there is an emotional attachment to them).
To make a long s tory short, items are being stolen out of luggage on a regular basis and no one, the TSA, the airports, nor the airlines want ot accept any responsibility for the replacement of these items. In fact, I think the majority of people just give up. however, I will not.
I recently attended a sales meeting in Ft. Lauderdale. During this conference, there was to be two days of golf. So being an avid golfer, I decided to take my own golf clubs instead of renting. Ina ddition to my own clubs, I bought a box of rather expensive cigars to take with me for the two days of golf. (Afterall, what is a round of golf without stoggies?)
Anyways, being the frequent flyer I am, I stuck the box of cigars as well as my favorite cigar cutter and lighter in the golf bag carrier (this is a hard shell travel carrier which the actual golf bag gets stored in). I did this since I was aware that these items would not make it thru security clearance with my carry on luggage. When I check the golf travel carrier,
I was advised by the agent that the bag had to be unlocked (which it was) since in all likelihood, the carrier would be examined by TSA/security. Everything appeared to be ok up to this point.
Upon my arrival at my hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, I was getting ready for the first golf outing. When I opened my golf luggage, I immediately noticed that the box of cigars as well as the cigar cutter and lighter were missing from the carrier. There was no doubt they were stolen since that were positioned in such a manner they would not fall out of the carrier.
I called the Logan airport, baggage claim office of American Airlines to file a claim and immediately started ot get the run around on filing the claim. First they told me they were not responsible, that TSA was and I had to file a claim with them. TSA informed me they were not and that I had to file the claim with FT Lauderdale. Ft. Lauderdale finally "accepted" my claim, but now (over a month later) is telling me that AA Dallas (central baggage claims) has to handle it since the value is over $300.00 (the box of cigars was $125, the cigar cutter and lighter were gold plated and an anniversary gift from my wife, no value can be attached to them since there is an emotional attachment to them).
To make a long s tory short, items are being stolen out of luggage on a regular basis and no one, the TSA, the airports, nor the airlines want ot accept any responsibility for the replacement of these items. In fact, I think the majority of people just give up. however, I will not.
Comments:
Posted by 1hung2lo on 2004-10-06:
I'd call them and let them know about your situation. I only use carry-on when I business travel.
Posted by Aember24 on 2004-10-24:
1nothung: It does not count if you actually travel inside the carry-on, Do they keep your water bowl full during the flight?
Posted by KP2005 on 2005-11-08:
I recently had a very similar experience traveling from Chicago to Seattle on American. When I arrived in Seattle everything that was along the front and side inside my suitcase was missing. The only things remaining were my clothing and the items packed in between my clothes. The items missing included my cell phone charger, my ipod charger, my hair flattening iron, my Sonicare toothbrush in its blue travel container, and my bag of toiletries that included several prescriptions. I felt very violated and devastated to find all of these items missing upon arrival.
I also received the runaround from TSA and several departments and personnel at American. In the end, I wrote Corporate only to receive a response explaining they had no responsibility. I am beyond mad and will never fly American again. They ultimately have the responsibility to get me to my destination...and all of my things. They didn't try to accomodate me in any way. They wouldn't reimburse me the $360 of missing items, miles for my trip...nothing. If they want to keep passengers, they have to start treating them right. (If anyone from American reads this, I still want my reimbursement! It is the only way to gain my trust that you will get me to my destination with all of my things. I want to know my travels - for work and personal - will be hassle-free.)
I also received the runaround from TSA and several departments and personnel at American. In the end, I wrote Corporate only to receive a response explaining they had no responsibility. I am beyond mad and will never fly American again. They ultimately have the responsibility to get me to my destination...and all of my things. They didn't try to accomodate me in any way. They wouldn't reimburse me the $360 of missing items, miles for my trip...nothing. If they want to keep passengers, they have to start treating them right. (If anyone from American reads this, I still want my reimbursement! It is the only way to gain my trust that you will get me to my destination with all of my things. I want to know my travels - for work and personal - will be hassle-free.)
Posted by forero7 on 2006-01-18:
I am one of the unfortunate persons using American Airlines as my means of travel. I had my baggage ransacked and my jewelry stolen out of my luggage. I had alot of my jewelry and quite a few pieces of jewelry that I had received for Christmas. I could not put this into my carry on as I had to make room for my medicines and breathing machine and packed everything else in my regular luggage. When arriving in Norfolk, Va. my granddaughter picked up the wrong bag (one exactly like mine) and away we went. At home I realized, whoops, wrong bag, I immediately call American and they said they indeed has my bag. I live 75 miles from the airport, so explained I would be in to get my bag and return the other bag the next day.
My daughter did this for me, as she lives much closer to the airport than I do, and when I received it, it immediately checked and found about &6000.00 worth of jewelry had been taken. I called American, and the rude woman there told me their insurance does not cover jewelry theft.
I have written letters both to the Customer Relations Dept., and to Gerard Arpey, the President of American Airlines, and also filed a claim with TSA. As of this time, no reply from anyone. Anyone who has had a theft from their luggage needs to address this. I am contacting my local newspaper, and a local television station that investigates and reports on comsumer
problems. If we do not unite, this will continue to happen.
My daughter did this for me, as she lives much closer to the airport than I do, and when I received it, it immediately checked and found about &6000.00 worth of jewelry had been taken. I called American, and the rude woman there told me their insurance does not cover jewelry theft.
I have written letters both to the Customer Relations Dept., and to Gerard Arpey, the President of American Airlines, and also filed a claim with TSA. As of this time, no reply from anyone. Anyone who has had a theft from their luggage needs to address this. I am contacting my local newspaper, and a local television station that investigates and reports on comsumer
problems. If we do not unite, this will continue to happen.
Posted by Abernathy on 2006-05-22:
Recently had items stolen from luggage flying American Airlines home from Miami to Nashville. The Airlines is giving me the run around, my baggage was lost for two days, and it even went to Argentina, once I recieved my bag, the only thing left in it was my clothes. I want to find a lawyer that can take up my case because the airline does not want to compensate for the loss, and the invasion of privacy. I would like some advice and maybe some information on a lawyer in TN.
Kenny
Kenny
Posted by LOrraine4883 on 2006-08-21:
One week ago I also had items stolen from my check-in luggage. I was returning home from studying abroad this summer in Guadalajara, Mexico and checked in two large suitcases and had a carryon. When I arrived at the check in counter, the lady searched my carry on and insisted that I could not carry my camara and my prized Louis vuitton bag ( a high school graduation present from my parents) So SHE TOOK THEM FROM ME AND PLACED THEM IN MY CHECK IN LUGGAGE. She also removed my makeup bag (that had some cash) from my carry on and put in the checked in luggage.
I was origianlly flying on flight 1502 to Dallas and connection to Oklahoma city. However, due to a bomb scare on Sat. Aug 12 at DFW , the 2 hour flight turned into a 4 hour flight. When I arrived at the airport, I waited for one hour until I figuered my luggage was lost, or had been forwarded to OKC.
Having lost the last flight to OKC I was forced to spend the night in Dallas, but I really didnt mind this. I did mind the fact that AA never offered anyone a toothbrush or anything.
The next afternoon at 2 pm I arrived at OKC (oklahoma) to find my two bags OUTSIDE of the baggage office. I promptly picked them up and went home to NORMAN, 20 or so miles.
When I opened my suitcase I saw my Murano glass necklace jammed up against the zipper...and felt my heart drop. Not because its expensive * 8 euros* only, but because it had been in a sock in the zipped up compartment.
I then opened my bags only to find the MOST EXPENSIVE ITEMS I had gone.Including my camara, my expensive jeans (didnt even touch the median jeans), my bag, a pair of shoes, my makeup bag (gross ey) and two cocktail dresses, and some sweaters. I began to cry, and yell. I also tried to find AA number, but GUESS WHAT THEY ONLY HAVE THE 1 800 RESERVATIONS NUMBER IN THE PHONE BOOK, ONLINE, OR ANYWHERE. ...
I drove back to the airport to find 18 people with missing, lost or stolen items from their check in luggage. I filed a claim, but one week later have not heard from them at all. I am so bitter, and mad because of this...YES because they took the most expensive stuff, but also because I FEEL SO VIOLATED. These are people that we to some level trust... IT IS THEIR JOB. Also AA makes it so difficult to file a claim, and when you tell them what they took they act like "sure sure, yeah they took the most expensive items....everyone has Louis Vuitton bag, and cole haan shoes when their luggage is stolen."
ANY IDEAS, OR SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT I CAN DO? PLEASE HELP!
THANK YOU
Lorraine
I was origianlly flying on flight 1502 to Dallas and connection to Oklahoma city. However, due to a bomb scare on Sat. Aug 12 at DFW , the 2 hour flight turned into a 4 hour flight. When I arrived at the airport, I waited for one hour until I figuered my luggage was lost, or had been forwarded to OKC.
Having lost the last flight to OKC I was forced to spend the night in Dallas, but I really didnt mind this. I did mind the fact that AA never offered anyone a toothbrush or anything.
The next afternoon at 2 pm I arrived at OKC (oklahoma) to find my two bags OUTSIDE of the baggage office. I promptly picked them up and went home to NORMAN, 20 or so miles.
When I opened my suitcase I saw my Murano glass necklace jammed up against the zipper...and felt my heart drop. Not because its expensive * 8 euros* only, but because it had been in a sock in the zipped up compartment.
I then opened my bags only to find the MOST EXPENSIVE ITEMS I had gone.Including my camara, my expensive jeans (didnt even touch the median jeans), my bag, a pair of shoes, my makeup bag (gross ey) and two cocktail dresses, and some sweaters. I began to cry, and yell. I also tried to find AA number, but GUESS WHAT THEY ONLY HAVE THE 1 800 RESERVATIONS NUMBER IN THE PHONE BOOK, ONLINE, OR ANYWHERE. ...
I drove back to the airport to find 18 people with missing, lost or stolen items from their check in luggage. I filed a claim, but one week later have not heard from them at all. I am so bitter, and mad because of this...YES because they took the most expensive stuff, but also because I FEEL SO VIOLATED. These are people that we to some level trust... IT IS THEIR JOB. Also AA makes it so difficult to file a claim, and when you tell them what they took they act like "sure sure, yeah they took the most expensive items....everyone has Louis Vuitton bag, and cole haan shoes when their luggage is stolen."
ANY IDEAS, OR SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT I CAN DO? PLEASE HELP!
THANK YOU
Lorraine
Posted by Lwilliams on 2007-10-26:
Hi Zeekerma,
We would be interested in doing a tv news interview with you about your AA theft experiece for Miami's Fox affiliate for a story we're doing. If you'd like to talk about what happened to you, please contact me at LWilliams@wsvn.com
Thanks!
We would be interested in doing a tv news interview with you about your AA theft experiece for Miami's Fox affiliate for a story we're doing. If you'd like to talk about what happened to you, please contact me at LWilliams@wsvn.com
Thanks!
Posted by Lwilliams on 2007-10-26:
Hi-
I am a producer from the FOX TV Affiliate in Miami, Fl. If anyone in Boston, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach areas has had items stolen out of checked baggage, we'd like to interview you on camera for a news story we're putting together. If intersted please contact: LWilliams@wsvn.com Thank you!
I am a producer from the FOX TV Affiliate in Miami, Fl. If anyone in Boston, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach areas has had items stolen out of checked baggage, we'd like to interview you on camera for a news story we're putting together. If intersted please contact: LWilliams@wsvn.com Thank you!
Posted by UrFriendlyPirate on 2007-10-26:
how much does it pay?
Posted by superbowl on 2007-10-26:
Will you fly me from L.A. to Miami? I only travel first class and stay in five star hotels. (just kidding) Hope you can get a good story together as we consumers are tired of the TSA and the airlines stealing our stuff.
Posted by Lwilliams on 2007-10-31:
No pay for the interview- just the satisfaction of telling your own personal airline fiasco story on television. : )
Posted by ALB5 on 2007-11-26:
My husband and I had 2 things stolen this past weekend flying from Greensboro to Miami on American Airlines. One piece (jewelery) was stolen from my CARRY-ON bag that the flight attendant made us valet at the end of the boarding area (leave it with reg tag and pick it up when you get off the plane). I still don't know if it was stolen at GBO or MIA, b/c when we got off the plane via ladder I saw the guy pull my bag out and hand it to me, it was not sitting for any amount of time. The other item (a serving dish) was stolen from a checked bag, and they broke the suitcase getting it out. I am currently wading through the complaint red tape, but it does not look promising.
Posted by jml04008 on 2010-01-19:
I am actually in the process of dealing with American Airlines and claims right now! I just got back from a vacation and our bags got left in overnight at the JFK airport after a delay leaving out of St. Thomas, to get us back to San Diego. They have not been very helpful and I am afraid we will not be compensated for their careless mistake!
Posted by Rhonda on 2012-03-27:
I flew American Airlines from Seatac to Nashville. At the boarding gate, the attendant advised me they had to check my carry on bag, also tried to take my purse, which I refused to let her do. When I arrived in Nashville and drove 45 miles t my house, unpacked my bags and 2 rings I purchased on vaction that were on the carry on they took were gone. AA advised I have to drive 45 miles back to the airport to file a claim. Rude of course. I had insurance but HAVE to file a claim 45 miles away to get them paid for and it has to be done within 24 hrs of getting the bag back which is in 3 hours from now. I will never fly AA again. EVER!!!!!
Thieves. I had the rings in the fron zip compartment because I thought I was arrying on the bag. WHen they grab it in an instant, you do not have time to think about removing everything from it that is worth anything. so, $15 in gas, 45 miles and a denial, I am certain....to get the insurance to cover them. Not counting the cost of the rings. FED UP!!
Thieves. I had the rings in the fron zip compartment because I thought I was arrying on the bag. WHen they grab it in an instant, you do not have time to think about removing everything from it that is worth anything. so, $15 in gas, 45 miles and a denial, I am certain....to get the insurance to cover them. Not counting the cost of the rings. FED UP!!
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