[clar5]

I was returning from my cruise back home (FLL-EWR). Got to FLL, and plane was late due to weather.

As we were sitting waiting, the gate attendant told us that the flight was full and that we could check our carry ons underneath for free.

My father without question said yes. When I got to Newark, my carry on was the last bag off the plane.

Opened up bag yesterday to notice that I was missing a $700 necklace and some costume jewelry that I had purchased in the Caribbean.

Thought I left it on boat, but I knew I was better than that. About three hours ago, we found the damaged box to my necklace in the outside pocket of my mother's carryon.

This is the last time I ever fly Continental. And the last time I ever check a bag again. I will never ever give Continental a dollar of my business again. I would rather deal with US Airways and LGA than Continental cause of this.

[jimworcs]

There is a recurring theme on these boards recounting stories of theft from baggage under these circumstances. I hope you have called the police and reported the theft. The TSA cannot be held responsible in these circumstances, which is who the airline employees seem to blame for all luggage thefts these days. In fact, there are only a very limited number of people who could be the thief in these circumstances and I would hope that some kind of record is made. They are unlikely to investigate your individual case to any great extent, but a pattern of thefts might trigger some future investigation.

The second line of defence by the airlines is to state that valuables should not be included in "checked baggage". However, in this case it was not. You were asked to 'gate check' the bags by the airline. The airline cannot then argue that their stock "exemption" from liability for valuables or electrical goods applies... as you had not initially put this into checked baggage and it was only at the airlines request that you did do.

The last line of defence, based on the posts of previous thefts, is a cynicism about whether such valuable things should be carried at all. However, wearing formal clothes, with jewellery is part and parcel of the cruise experience for many people.

It is disheartening to know just how many people are robbed on a daily basis by the thieves who work for airlines and the sense of powerlessness the passenger is left with by the utter lack of accountability of the airlines who are ultimately responsible for this.

[clar5]

We've already filed claim with the insurance company and with Continental. Doubt anything is going to come from it though. I can almost guarantee it happened in Newark due to the bag being the last one off the plane.

What is really odd is that I had diamond stud earrings and another diamond necklace in there worth over $5000 which weren't touched and are currently sitting in my safe I have at home. And yet the thief picked the least expensive of the expensive. If that makes sense.

I'm not even sure which police department I should deal with. My local town one (10 miles south of EWR), the PANY (Port Authority of NY/NJ who owns EWR), or the FLL Airport. I would love to to get a record of every single person who touched my bag, at least I can narrow it down to whom I could blame. Im constantly checking EBAY to see if any of it made it on there.

[jimworcs]

I think it would be the Port Authority Police. You should call them quickly... the longer you leave it, the less likely any action will be taken. These thefts are impulse thefts, which have to be done quickly. I would guess the thief stole the first thing they could get their hands on.

[clar5]

It also could have happened in FLL. They have all the illegal immigrants working for them. All I know is that I can really make life miserable for Continental if they screw me over. I'm already telling all my friends and family never to fly them. The word is spreading quickly.

[jimworcs]

You should report it to where you discovered your loss.. Port Authority at Newark.. good luck. Keep us posted if you get any response.

[Gromit801]

Originally Posted by jimworcs

The TSA cannot be held responsible in these circumstances, which is who the airline employees seem to blame for all luggage thefts these days.

That is the most blatant lie I have ever seen on here. TSA agents have been arrested for stealing from luggage.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/...in643165.shtml

We "Airline Sympathizers" have pointed out that it is EITHER the baggage handlers or TSA. To say that TSA cannot be responsible is a flat out lie.

[Gromit801]

And....

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/200...tealing_f.html
http://consumerist.com/2009/07/geniu...y-luggage.html

[clar5]

I just came back from filing a police report at the PANY police at Newark. They told me that ever since 9-11 and before, they take these things very seriously. A detective will be assigned to my case.

He also told me that it doesnt happen that often. (which I can't believe).

However, its not the TSA in this case, the TSA didn't touch my bag, Continental did.

[Gromit801]

If you had a bag checked through, it goes through TSA first, before the baggage handlers ever see it.

Hopefully, there might be camera footage for the police to look at. One place where baggage handlers often have a private place to look through bags, is in the belly of the aircraft itself.

One of the scams I remember reading about, was the TSA agent who manned the scanner, telling a baggage handler what bag to look for. That's a worst case scenario when they work together.

[clar5]

This was a gate check though. They took the bag from me at the gate on a Boeing 757. Big plane.

It had to have been Continental. The insurance company is telling me not to let them off the hook. 100% their fault since it was not a "checked bag".

[jimworcs]

It was a gate check Gromit.... so the TSA never went anywhere near it after she handed it over. Are you deliberately trying to obscure the point with your ridiculous posting?

[clar5]

Just wanted to give an update. We spoke to both the travel insurance and homeowners insurance. And both said that we have a legitimate claim against Continental, which would actually win in court hands down if we decide to pursue this that far.

I'm mailing out the claim tomorrow (its taken a while to gather all the reciepts and information from what was stolen in all the chaos of unpacking). I'm sending it first class so there should be absolutely no excuses from Continental.

[jimworcs]

Get them to sign for it, not sure what you call that in the US, but make sure they sign to confirm receipt.

[clar5]

Another update:

Apparently I addressed the envelope wrong (I sent it to the address that they gave me from their website). It came back this morning.

Went back to the Post Office, and sent it certified and return receipt to the same address. Let's see what happens this time. I wonder if they rejected the envelope for some reason.

[jimworcs]

Delta are a disgrace.. I don't know how they get away with it!

[clar5]

Update: I got the confirmation today that it was received by Continental. Someone signed for it. Now its a waiting game I think.

[clar5]

Update:

Went to Alabama for a few days and just got back today. In the mail was a letter from Continental. Saying that they were unable to locate my property and that jewelry isn't covered. However, I was told by the insurance company that they have to pay due to it being 100% their fault (taking my carry on away).

I already submitted a claim to travel insurance. And I still have not heard from the PANY police about my police report.

[The_Judge]

Thanks for the update and keep on it. Hopefully the insurance company will pay but moreso, the airline. Keep all documents for a small claims case if it comes to it.

[airplanegod]

Good for you! Keeping calm in this situation, I would have sued the bastards already!

[INTLGIRLY]

I dunno and maybe I am missing something here and I am NOT saying I do not sympathize with you but how are you going to prove that there was a $700 necklace in your baggage? (and oh my you had a $5000 one in there as well???)
The empty case does not prove anything (hopefully they can get fingerprints off it or a security camera video). Even a receipt or a cc statement that you actually purchased it does not prove it was in the bag. Have you tried your cc coverage if you purchased it with a cc?
If they asked me to check my luggage at the gate or onboard I would certainly pull out any valuables, laptops, personal docs etc even if I have to keep it in a plastic bag

[clar5]

Originally Posted by INTLGIRLY

I dunno and maybe I am missing something here and I am NOT saying I do not sympathize with you but how are you going to prove that there was a $700 necklace in your baggage? (and oh my you had a $5000 one in there as well???)
The empty case does not prove anything (hopefully they can get fingerprints off it or a security camera video). Even a receipt or a cc statement that you actually purchased it does not prove it was in the bag. Have you tried your cc coverage if you purchased it with a cc?
If they asked me to check my luggage at the gate or onboard I would certainly pull out any valuables, laptops, personal docs etc even if I have to keep it in a plastic bag

I have evidence galore. Including a photograph of all jewelry that I took with me, took off the ship with me, and that eventually ended up home with me. Plus I have all the empty wrappings and box from what was stolen. If thats not evidence enough, I dont know what is.


I got a postcard in the mail over the weekend from the travel insurance saying that they received my claim and is currently going over it.

[Gromit801]

Thing is, it's all, at best, circumstantial.

None of what you're claiming as evidence, is actual evidence. There simply is no proof any of your jewelry was actually in your bag. That's how a defending attorney would see it. Just playing devil's advocate here.

[clar5]

Not even a picture of the jewelry on top of the bag that it was in? Plus also I have written confirmation from the cruise line that my jewelry was not found on board ship.

If it wasnt aboard ship, and it wasn't in bag when I got back then where is it?

[clar5]

Get this one. I never got a copy of the police report. And I have confirmation from the insurance company to send it in.

Called PANY today, and theres no record of it being in their computer whatsoever. However I went there, I have the number its supposed to be under, and contact number.

She said since she cant lookup the officers name (I wonder why that is), shes sending me a blank report in the mail, and Im back to square one.