You just can't be too careful these days. With luggage theft on the rise at U.S. airports, you could arrive at your timeshare destination with just the clothes on your back. Millions of bags are damaged, delayed, stolen or lost at U.S. airports each year. According to the Department of Transportation, passengers filed 250,000 mishandled baggage claims last November.
Every day in America, the Transportation Security Administration screens 2.5 million checked bags and 50 of those bags go missing or are damaged each day. TSA expects to pay out $1 million in claims this year. The average amount paid on a claim in 2007 was $159.58, not even enough to cover the cost of the new dress you packed. And even worse, half of the claims filed were denied.
"In some cases, if there is no ability to determine responsibility one way or the other, [TSA] settles the claim for 50%," said agency spokeswoman Laren Wolf. One disgruntled passenger, Gladys Hanley of Columbus, Ohio had her claim for missing jewelry denied. "The TSA puts it off on the airlines; the airline puts it off on the TSA," she complained. She was forced to file a claim with her insurance company to recoup her loss.
What most passengers don't realize is that many items they pack in their luggage are not covered by either the airlines or the TSA if they are lost or stolen. "Pretty much the only thing that is going to be covered in bags is going to be cosmetics, toiletries, shoes and clothing," explained Scott Mueller, a former baggage services manager for Midwest Airlines and author of The Empty Carousel: A Consumer's Guide to Checked and Carryon Luggage.
Unfortunately, travelers often don't discover missing contents until sometime after arriving at their destination. Major theft rings have been uncovered at some of our nation's major airports. Unscrupulous security checkers and baggage handlers are often to blame; though some bags are whisked off luggage carousels by waiting thieves before the owners have a chance to notice.
Follow these tips to protect your luggage when you go on your next timeshare vacation:
- Pack all valuables -- jewelry, cameras, cell phone, electronics, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, important papers, computers, heirlooms, keys, etc. -- in your carryon and keep it where you can see it (under your seat or in the bin across the aisle where you can observe anyone trying to interfere with it).
- Don't advertise your profession on your luggage tag. That "Dr." before your name is one thing thieves look for. Use plain luggage tags. Leave the gold laminated tag that advertises your status as a CEO at home.
- Sturdy, used luggage is less likely to attract a thief's attention than flashy, designer bags.
- Always check your claim ticket against the ticket on your luggage to make sure you pick up the right bag.
