[joeATL]

I flew delta on 2.15.2012 from FLL to ATL. I left my iPad on the plane. I tried to reach someone at delta who could help me, but all I could get was to fill out the lost and found form online. I did and I did not hear back from Delta until the 6th day after my flight, they asked for my iPad serial number which i did not have at the time since it was late at night and could not access it.

The next day I located the number and tried to call the person back, but the phone number was blocked for incoming calls. I emailed, twittered, contacted friends who work for delta and got no where. Then today I received an email from delta stating "Due to the volume of lost and found items turned in to Delta, you will only be contacted again if the item is a match. Unchecked articles that are turned in to Delta are held in the local Lost and Found Office for 7 days, awaiting owner identification. At the end of that time we are unable to retrieve them. Therefore, we would no longer have the item in our possession." But there was no way for me to get the proper information to Delta in the short amount of time they had given me.

This iPad was a 10 year anniversary present and besides the cost of it, it had sentimental value and was engraved. I don't see why delta could not inventory the items by plane and seat and simply be able to contact the person who sat in the seat. A short email stating if we left something on the plane please respond. Also the lack of a way to communicate with lost and found is horrible. it seems like delta does not want you to contact them so they can just sell off the item or how ever they get rid of it. Their system is set up for the customer to fail and Delta benefit from a consumer problem.

I'm hoping that if a spot light is shined on delta they could change this policy and be more helpful to their loyal customers.

[Gromit801]

What it comes down to, is YOU left the pad behind. Your fault 100%.

Usually, if a member of the flight crew finds a left behind item, they will give it to the ground staff with a note where they found it. If it was found by the cleaning crew (who are usually airport contractors), it may or may not be turned in.

Again, how could you leave behind something obviously important to you? Did you go back to the luggage office at the airport and see if they had your pad? Did you do anything pro-active besides phone and email?

[joeATL]

Oh I left it behind so I could talk to wonderful internet people like you.

[jimworcs]

There was a clue Gromit in the first line that Joe was not blaming Delta for the iPad being left behind. That was the line which said "I left my iPad on the plane". The issue is how the organisation deals with lost property. 7 days is outrageous and ridiculous... But there is more to this policy than meets the eye. Many airlines sell their lost property. They profit from their customers misfortune. Who knows if ths was taken by one of Deltas many thieving employees or the thieving cleaners they employ...either way their handling of it is unreasonable and a disgrace.

[rshowe]

You know it is sort like children, it might be your fault for not being responsible. The airline did not put the gadget in the seat back pocket, you the passenger left it in seat back pocket. We tell our children if they lose it or break it tough stuff, be more responsible next time.