[globalgrinch]

I recently flew abaord American Airlines from Miami (the worlds worst airport - without a doubt). I had checked my bags, and was about to board the last flight to Freeport. A moment before climbing the steps into the plane I was stopped and told that my carry-on would have to go under the plane as opposed to the overheads. They took my bag a distance of no more than a few feet.
After landing, I imediately retreived my bag and entered the terminal to retrieve my larger, checked luggage. After clearing immigration I went to hail a taxi. As I reached into my wallet, which had been deep iside my carry-on bag, I was shocked to discover that nearly $1500 in cash was missing.
I immediately contacted the Miami Police, and was told to speak with the Airport detatchment. I also contacted American Airlines. In both cases I was advised to simply come to the American Airlines Baggage counter when flying back through Miami just two days later. I followed their advice and was even more shocked when they told me that I was too late to file a claim. I argued long and hard with the attendant, but it got me nowhere.
This is aparently a common scam. It is also apparently a common response from American Airlines. Therefore I will be forced to take matters into my own hands. The next time I fly to Freeport from Miami, I am simply going to claim that I just had a rolex watch, about $3000 in cash and a small collection of rookie baseball cards stolen from my carry-on. And you can bet that I will be making the claim right there, in the airport, on the spot with absolutely no delay. One way or another, I WILL get my money back!
American Airlines Baggage Handlers are theives and the airline isn't at all interested in preventing the crime. Even when people are prepared to press charges.
I have decided to fight fire with fire.