[mizzswager]

The quick and dirty:

My mother boarded a flight yesterday leaving San Francisco headed for Minneapolis. When she boarded her flight, she was informed that she would need to check her carry-on due to a lack of space in the over head compartments. When she got to her destination low and behold - camera = gone.

This seems to be a normal thing for Delta. I see several different rants about camera's on the internet associated to Delta.

I understand some of the "airline supporters" will say you should not check in electronics but, here's the thing... Delta is a corporate giant competing with many other corporate giants. I typically view them as a means of transportation from point a to point b... however; you must make a killing in the following scam:

You sell tickets, have X amount of seats = X amount of passengers. You have a policy allowing X amount of carry on's for your X amount of over head compartment space per X amount of passengers. Now there is also a sale of unclaimed baggage. If corporate giant purposely which with equation above seems to be on purpose, fills that space forcing your valuables into their hands (if it's a carry on there was never an intention to check an electronic item) and then they are lost and who knows possibly sold again. Now a $200 camera sell for maybe I don't know $100 bucks plus the price of your ticket and baggage fees = DELTA MAKES OUT!

Even if that isn't the case, you should take better care of your passengers possessions bottom line. What my mom lost on that flight was not only her stolen camera, she lost the only photos she had of her only daughter's bridal shower. A once in a lifetime memory stolen that was PRICELESS.

As a claim was filed, two different customer service agents gave two different incorrect pieces of information. I'm quite sure some where in the fine print Delta bares no responsibility for this either. If it's clearly stated on-line why would you have to take a customer service agent's word for it. This whole scenario is comical.

I was in the insurance industry for many years and damaged, lost, or stolen items belonging to someone else that are in your sole custody = your liability. Why is it that a corporate giant can waive liability of your items. If you come into their house they aren't responsible. Hey you overbooked your space, not your consumer. I will never fly Delta again, I hope someone investigates that airlines have been hit hard on displaying all fees in ticket pricing and are loosing footing with being able to overcharge customers for fees. While some going broke in the process sure have a lot of claims on stolen good and an unclaimed baggage sale available..... = more $$$ I don't know sounds shady to me.

So sad but, this is why big business isn't always the best business. My wedding is in Nov. and my parents already have flights booked on Delta. Sadly, at this point I'm ready to pay the price to cancel those and have them fly another carrier.

It's awful service that my family also have a lot of sky miles this passenger that was robbed in particular and yet we can't even talk to a human being about a possession we left in their care!!

Hey if anyone out there will let me hold on to at least $200 bucks under the strict policy that I am not responsible for it while your gone... ha ha send it my way! The sad thing is --- an honest person --- I'd give it back! WOW!

By the way there was no TSA flyer in the bag, the bag was not locked, and Delta seemed to be the only hands involved.

[jimworcs]

This seems to be a common occurance, and is particularly a problem in that nest of thieves called Delta. Typically, Delta can walk away from this on the grounds that they exclude "electronic" items from checked luggage, blah, blah. However, in this case, the customer acted to protect their items. The items were packed in their hand luggage and would have remained in their sole care. Delta, mid way through delivery of the service, changed the rules and denied the customer the opportunity to take responsibility for the items. In these circumstances, I think Delta are on very dodgy ground in denying responsibility. Furthermore, Delta has a long history of claims against their theiving employees and have failed to take reasonable care to protect their customers. Write to the DOT, being specific about the circumstances, that Delta offered the customer no choice to retain their valuables and that the refusal to accept responsibility in these circumstances is unreasonable. If that doesn't fly, file a claim in Small Claims Court. You will win...and I doubt very much Delta will even try to defend the claim. They rely on your inertia.

[Mrs.J Airline Employee]

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.