Theft From Baggage-Continental

wrote in message
oups.com...
On a trip from PDX-HOU-GPT yesterday on Continental Airlines, my "Pubs
Bag" was stolen out of one of my checked bags. If any are familiar with
this kind of bag...about 14"X16"x4", it held much of my flight gear
such as GPS 12XL, Sectionals, plotter, Jep CR-5, flashlights, knife,
Leatherman, gloves, compass, signal mirror, and misc other small items.
Continental told me tough luck and none of it is covered. Sorry things
were stolen but they were not responsible. I asked, "Well, if that is
the case, all my baggage when flying with Continental should be in a
locked hard case"? The reply was "YES".
It would appear any commercial flights today fit into that same
catagory. What really ****es me off was some of that equipment has been
all over the world with me for many years. I'd imagine the value or
replacement for the bag and contents is in excess of $500.
Heads up if you are going to fly commercial anyplace.
Ol S&B


probably the TSA

As a photographer, who flys often, a hard locked bag doesn't make it any
more.

My first flight after 911 had all my hard and soft cases returned with the
locks cut off. Upon questioning the inspectors they told me that all
luggage has to be opened and that locks would be cut if installed.

Since then there are locks that you can buy the supposedly let TSA in but
keep others out.

When possible I ship equipment FedEx to my hotel for shoots.

Occasionally that is not possible and TSA will sometimes let me apply locks
after they have inspected when the inspection area is not next to the ramp.

I recently flew to DCA and was surprised that I had a tougher time getting
out with my gear than in. I had 6 cases, between 62 and 91 lbs. None were
inspected into DCA, all were opened going out.


"Chris" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
On a trip from PDX-HOU-GPT yesterday on Continental Airlines, my "Pubs
Bag" was stolen out of one of my checked bags. If any are familiar with
this kind of bag...about 14"X16"x4", it held much of my flight gear
such as GPS 12XL, Sectionals, plotter, Jep CR-5, flashlights, knife,
Leatherman, gloves, compass, signal mirror, and misc other small items.
Continental told me tough luck and none of it is covered. Sorry things
were stolen but they were not responsible. I asked, "Well, if that is
the case, all my baggage when flying with Continental should be in a
locked hard case"? The reply was "YES".
It would appear any commercial flights today fit into that same
catagory. What really ****es me off was some of that equipment has been
all over the world with me for many years. I'd imagine the value or
replacement for the bag and contents is in excess of $500.
Heads up if you are going to fly commercial anyplace.
Ol S&B


probably the TSA

For almost every hardside case I've seen the latches will pop open during rough
handling if not locked. If the TSA does have the keys to the usual luggage
locks out there they are not doing their job. I've got 30 year old keys that
work for the newer bags. Most of the key locks can be opened with a paper clip.

The TSA really has a problem with issue. I've been in some major foreign
airports where if they have an issue with the baggage they page you and then
you open the baggage in front of them. And, they do it before you get to the
metal detectors. Just how hard can that be in the USA? TSA is just lazy.

--
Jim

carry on