Dealing With Stolen Or Damaged Items In Bags

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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Travelers savvy in the ways of finding cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages are sometimes at a loss as what to do when they find something has been stolen or damaged that was packed in a checked bag transported by an airline.

Airlines sometimes tell passengers to file a complaint for lost or stolen items with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Some airlines like to use the TSA as a scapegoat. The likelihood that a TSA employee is responsible for your problem is slight given that TSA employees are videotaped.

Airlines assign the loading and unloading of baggage to airports that employ job contractors whose hiring standards are nowhere near as rigorous as those of TSA.

If you find an item in your bag is broken or missing, you need to file a claim with the airline that transported your bag. Unfortunately every airline’s contract of carriage includes a long list of exclusions for liability.

For example, American Airlines’ contract says in part “American does not accept in or as checked baggage any of the following items: antiques, artifacts, ...
... artwork, books and documents, china, computers and other electronic equipment, computer software, fragile items (including child/infant restraint devices such as strollers and car seats) jewelry, silverware…American does not accept these items in or as checked baggage and assumes no responsibility or liability for such items…”

The airlines have done an excellent job of protecting themselves when it comes to expensive items inside checked baggage. If you want your valuables to travel on the same plane that you are flying on, then you should transport them in your carry-on bag.

Another option is to have your bag(s) shipped in advance directly to your hotel via FedEx, UPS or one of several other dedicated baggage shipping services. By doing so, you will be able to insure expensive items, be able to track your shipment, and deal with a responsive customer service department if any problems should arise.
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