Airline lost luggage now arrived but opened and anything valuable nicked

[wherearemybloodyshoes]

Have name changed for this but long time user… obviously I’m not being unreasonable and I realise it is a FWP but I do need the collective wisdom of mumsnet to help please..checked in all of our suitcases together onto a flight with Swiss air on Saturday night with priority luggage, two of them did not arrive back until today…they have arrived with the padlocks opened, cases unlocked and any valuable items (which you might put on eBay if you are a thieving git) are missing including a pair of limited edition Nikes my teenage DD got as a reward for passing exams and something I got as a present for a significant birthday amongst other stuff. My stuff going missing is irritating but DD is rightly upset as obviously I can’t repurchase those shoes and she worked hard for them and were a one-off treat. Airline baggage handling company couldn’t give less of a shit and don’t seem very surprised the cases had been ransacked at Heathrow whilst in their care. I’ve never had luggage go missing before. All the cases had apple AirTags in them so I exactly where they’ve been. I’m up to my eyes at work and don’t have time to spend hours filling forms or on hold…it all seems to be the customer’s problem rather than the company’s to resolve….any ideas how to reduce the level of admin and frustration? I’m a woman of a certain age so I have zero menopausal patience 😭

Claim on your travel insurance. Much less stressful

How’s your travel insurance policy? I think it’s very unlikely you’ll get anywhere as there are so many areas it could have gone wrong, although you should put in a formal complaint with the airline .

Another vote for travel insurance..

Always get insurance. Never pack valuables. Luggage handling has always been insecure.

Yes, travel insurance is the way to go.

This. Shit happens. Lesson learned.

This unfortunately.

I remember when CDs (remember those?) cost a lot and I went to a country where they were cheaper. My hand luggage weighed a bomb because they were all in my hand luggage.

i never put anything in hold luggage that i cant afford to lose most of my holiday stuff comes from everythingfivepounds.com because after having had a suitcase opened and ransacked i make sure theres nought worth taking probably insurance if you can prove you put them in the case to start with and usually locking suitcases shows the dishonest handlers there is something in the case worth looking for so i never lock mine valuable stuff goes in the cabin with me

Yes I have travel insurance but there is a limit on claim value and the bloody shoes have gone up significantly…. Unfortunately you can’t put everything worth anything in hand luggage after a long haul flight as it wouldn’t be possible to fit it all in with iPads etc. by the time you’ve added in a fancy dress, bras and swimming costumes for those large of nork etc it adds up quite quickly. I don’t think it is unreasonable to expect some level of integrity and be able to pack your stuff, padlock it and expect it to arrive safely at the other end? It’s the ransacking that is galling really. Plus the admin twats like this cause. Trip was after a very long two years nursing a dying parent and dealing with the death admin of that, I just feel exhausted with it all.

Have they stolen your clothing?

Oh if you go to the US you are suppose to get TSA approved locks in case customs decide to open your bags without you present. However I remember being told by various people I know from the states that sometimes they will just force the lock open anyway. So you shouldn't lock it and use one of those bands that help you identify your case.

Lesson learned. Never pack valuables or things you can't afford to lose in checked baggage. Didn't fit in the carry on? Don't bring it.

Claim with your insurance and complain to the airline. Hopefully you get some recourse from both .

Im sorry that’s awful. I’d get on twitter and see what whichever airport they were stuck at the longest - and your air tags will tell you - is the likely site if the theft. That’s really bad but unfortunately does happen

@RedWingBoots

if you go to the US you are suppose to get TSA approved locks in case customs decide to open your bags without you present. However I remember being told by various people I know from the states that sometimes they will just force the lock open anyway.

Yup, ( can happen both inbound and/or outbound )...TSA usually leave you a note telling you they've done it.

If you are lucky and have a TSA compliant lock they'll refasten it, otherwise 🤔

As for the OP, sorry to hear about your experience, it happens, it obviously shouldn't.

You can get your cases wrapped in clingfilm at the airport. It does make them less likely to be targeted.

You’re going to have to bite the bullet and make a claim either the airline or travel insurance.

As people have said - hand luggage for valuables. I would also pay for luggage wrapping if I had valuable things.
Claim on insurance - you won't get far with the airline.
if you believe your luggage was rifled through at Heathrow - keep your eye on the internet for the rarer items going up for sale. (Or even post an add to but?)

I take nothing of value on holiday, I even switch my jewellery out and leave the real stuff at home.

Are any of your items covered on your home insurance? “Cover outside the home”?

Travel insurance.

It's frustrating, and upsetting of course. But I thought everyone was aware of this risk. I'd never put anything of significant value in a suitcase that I think release to god knows who and god knows where. That seems common sense to me.

You've got very poor travel insurance if it won't cover some clothes.....what is the limit. Standard cover is usually a couple of thousand per person.

I read once that insurance companies are always amazed at the number of very ordinary people who take their multiple Rolex watches, Gucci handbags and designer sunglasses on holiday, especially when it turns out they bought them for cash and have thrown away the receipts.

I use one of those cheap luggage straps with a code (so TSA etc can open it) but am aware it wouldn't take anyone else long to work through the combinations as evidenced when I arrived somewhere to find the strap refastened round the handle. When I mentioned it to the tour guide, she said the country in question was known for this sort of thing and half the group had found the same. They obviously didn't think much of my clothes though as everything was still there.

Surely the airline is responsible for ensuring all luggage is secure and safe and arrives at its destination!!!
What a world we've entered where you can't even trust an airline to be able to ensure your stuff doesn't get nicked whilst in their care!

Depressing the amount of victim blaming on this thread.

Fact is OP, you’ve been robbed. Very upsetting and not much you can do. I’ve been robbed three times in my life - a street mugger, a suitcase ransacked by airline staff, and a wallet theft. People always blame the victim and give annoying advice but the truth is you were robbed, it can happen to anyone unlucky enough to come into contact with a thief, it sucks, and no one can really help or few will care 😥

Hugs xx

That's in an ideal world.

In the real world bags get handled by sub--contractors, sub-sub contractors and then sometimes, in the case of late baggage, get handed onto couriers....pilfering can happen at any point in the handling chain.

Most T&Cs give airlines a get out and FWIW at least one airline won't cover contents of their own crews' bags...any problems even they were told to claim on their insurance...