Items missing from luggage

DEESGOODWORD · 14-07-2008, 05:24 PM

Returning home from a trip to Europe recently, one of our pieces of luggage was "delayed" and didn't reach us for 3 days. When it was finally delivered to the house we discovered that something had been stolen from it. I checked with customs to verify that if they take something out of the luggage they leave a card inside stating that this is what they have done. But there was no card from customs and we could tell that someone had rifled through the bag. Has anyone else had a problem with this? We have filed a report with Air Canada and the RCMP but because there are 3 airports involved we are out of luck. Apart from having this item stolen from us, we can't understand how it can happen when there is so much security around the airports.

DebraW · 14-07-2008, 05:34 PM

Wow, sorry to hear that. I have never ever had this problem in all my travels (knock on wood). (Although on one trip through the Austral/Asia we had items put into our luggage!)

When I was in Travel it did happen to clients from time to time and is a frustrating [COLOR=black]occurrence[/COLOR].

Have you reported the loss to your home insurance provider?

I am with you, I have no idea how an item can be stolen given all the enhanced security measures in airports these days.

Good luck.

luvhockey · 15-07-2008, 06:53 AM

Years ago they busted a organized group of thieves at the Toronto, Vancouver ,Montreal , Chicago, L.A etc.
Turned out it was so organized it shocked all. And there is no defence for it. One would open suitcases and take valuables. They would put them in garbage bags and take them out to the bins as garbage , from there others would pick them up and get them out with the garbage pick up.

There will always be thieves so there is no guarantee. However I always put a lock on the zipper and packing tape once over the lock. These thieves dont know whats inside, it is a crime of oppertinuty so if it is easy to open and search it will get opened eventualy.
Sorry to hear about your loss.

Blueline · 15-07-2008, 07:25 AM

most airlines, airports and security no longer allow you to lock your luggage

DEESGOODWORD · 15-07-2008, 08:29 AM

We bought the new type of locks that are approved by the Federal Transportation Association- this allows the suitcases to be unlocked by security or customs without doing damage to the suitcase or lock. We were told that all baggage left unclaimed is x-rayed so it is really easy to see what's inside before they even have to open it. It seems to me like a perfect setup for theft. I would have hoped that the airports would have something in place to prevent this from happening but I guess if they don't receive enough complaints then they aren't aware of it going on. I also think that a lot of people don't report these thefts because it was for items that maybe the passenger didn't declare with customs and the thieves are probably relying on the fact that the passengers won't report the theft.

Sonic Death Monkey · 15-07-2008, 11:06 AM

Another good reason why I avoid checking in luggage and put it all into carry-on.

howie · 31-07-2008, 07:51 PM

London's "Thiefrow" earned its moniker over the years.

This thread reminded me of a famous billboard many years ago in central London at the time of the introduction of the then new Concorde service. The headline blazed "Breakfast in London, Lunch in New York!" To which some wag had added, "Baggage in Bangkok".

14-07-2008, 05:24 PM	#1
DEESGOODWORD Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007	Items missing from luggage Returning home from a trip to Europe recently, one of our pieces of luggage was "delayed" and didn't reach us for 3 days. When it was finally delivered to the house we discovered that something had been stolen from it. I checked with customs to verify that if they take something out of the luggage they leave a card inside stating that this is what they have done. But there was no card from customs and we could tell that someone had rifled through the bag. Has anyone else had a problem with this? We have filed a report with Air Canada and the RCMP but because there are 3 airports involved we are out of luck. Apart from having this item stolen from us, we can't understand how it can happen when there is so much security around the airports.

15-07-2008, 11:06 AM	#6
Sonic Death Monkey Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Downtown	Another good reason why I avoid checking in luggage and put it all into carry-on. __________________ “You have to dream big. If we want to be a little city, we dream small. If we want to be a big city, we dream big, and this is a big idea.” - Mayor Stephen Mandel, 02/22/2012

14-07-2008, 05:34 PM	#2
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Wow, sorry to hear that. I have never ever had this problem in all my travels (knock on wood). (Although on one trip through the Austral/Asia we had items *put into* our luggage!) When I was in Travel it did happen to clients from time to time and is a frustrating [COLOR=black]occurrence[/COLOR]. Have you reported the loss to your home insurance provider? I am with you, I have no idea how an item can be stolen given all the enhanced security measures in airports these days. Good luck.

15-07-2008, 06:53 AM	#3
luvhockey Banned Join Date: Jun 2008	Years ago they busted a organized group of thieves at the Toronto, Vancouver ,Montreal , Chicago, L.A etc. Turned out it was so organized it shocked all. And there is no defence for it. One would open suitcases and take valuables. They would put them in garbage bags and take them out to the bins as garbage , from there others would pick them up and get them out with the garbage pick up. There will always be thieves so there is no guarantee. However I always put a lock on the zipper and packing tape once over the lock. These thieves dont know whats inside, it is a crime of oppertinuty so if it is easy to open and search it will get opened eventualy. Sorry to hear about your loss.

15-07-2008, 07:25 AM	#4
Blueline Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edmonton	most airlines, airports and security no longer allow you to lock your luggage

15-07-2008, 08:29 AM	#5
DEESGOODWORD Partially Addicted to C2E Join Date: Jan 2007	We bought the new type of locks that are approved by the Federal Transportation Association- this allows the suitcases to be unlocked by security or customs without doing damage to the suitcase or lock. We were told that all baggage left unclaimed is x-rayed so it is really easy to see what's inside before they even have to open it. It seems to me like a perfect setup for theft. I would have hoped that the airports would have something in place to prevent this from happening but I guess if they don't receive enough complaints then they aren't aware of it going on. I also think that a lot of people don't report these thefts because it was for items that maybe the passenger didn't declare with customs and the thieves are probably relying on the fact that the passengers won't report the theft.

31-07-2008, 07:51 PM	#7
howie Addicted to C2E Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: edmonton	London's "Thiefrow" earned its moniker over the years. This thread reminded me of a famous billboard many years ago in central London at the time of the introduction of the then new Concorde service. The headline blazed "Breakfast in London, Lunch in New York!" To which some wag had added, "Baggage in Bangkok".