wow
I understand that last minute gate checking a bag is VERY frustrating and unexpected. However, in the gate house, several announcements are made informing passengers when a flight is full and overhead bin space may become limited. Passengers are instructed to remove any valuables inside the luggage as well as anything (such as medications) they may need during flight.
I used to work baggage services myself and here is how the auction process works.
(Let me first say that if a single item was lost from a bag, that isn't something that goes to the airline auction, most likely it was removed from the luggage by a terrible (unfortunate) employee (such are very rare from my experiance) or a TSA agent, or it fell from the bag at some point and the bag it fell from could not be identified (it happens from time to time, especially with cheap luggage where the zippers tend to pop).
First, when items or entire bags are recovered every effort is made to locate the owner of the item/bag. With luggage, ALWAYS place an ID tag with a valid phone numer on the outside of the bag and another in every pocket of the luggage (including carryons). After 5 days, if the bag cannot be matched with a claim, the bag/item is sent to a warehouse where another team of agents attempts to locate the owner. If they are unable to do so, then it finally goes to auction.
The airlines make no money off of this process. Much of the auction price received goes towards paying approved claims and for manpower it takes to invesitgate these lost items.
Finally, the airlines cannot be responsible for valuables simply because people have a tendency of overexaggerating the contents of their luggage when things go wrong. Airlines are also limed to their liability to $3000 in the US, so if you are checking valuables or carrying them with you, take out an insurance policy through a third party that will verify what you are taking with you and cover the loss should there be one.
PS: I have personally only known of one employee in my years that was caught stealing. The employee was fired on the spot, the items found returned to their owners and charges were pressed. ... Police escorted him from the airport.
Jobs with an airline are great and I love my job. To throw it away over $200 bucks is such a waste and an incredably stupid move.
ALSO: TSA does not allow cameras in the inspection area as a means of Homland Security per the United States Government. ... It was rare to have a passenger file a stolen item claim, but when they did they were mostly returning from a third world country ... something that our airline tries very hard to investigate and end. ... However I don't suggest packing valuables when traveling out of the country.
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