Destroyed property in checked luggage

[marivaid]

I was proudly showing off my new Stitch backpack to a friend this weekend when I realized there was a big tear in the back, right below the head. It's a very clean cut, it couldn't have happened accidentally, and it definitely wasn't there when I bought it.

Last summer,we bought a Sanrio bag and put it in our checked luggage. It was fine when we bought it. We get home, unpack, and see that the bag has been sliced open in 3 or 4 locations. Again very clean cuts, in a rectangle shape. That kind of bag has foam padding and I thought maybe it had been searched for drugs or something. There was no TSA paper in the suitcase like they usually put if they search your luggage.

Has this happened to anyone ? Is this a new TSA policy that I'm not aware of?? I'm FINE with the liquid bans, having to get searched, having my bags scanned and searched etc.. but I'm not fine with my stuff being destroyed.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is it possible there's something in your luggage - either other items you pack, or exposed edges or something - that's causing these cuts? It's unusual that one person would have such similar problems two separate times.

As far as I know, the TSA does not search for drugs, period. You might try filing a claim with your airline, but if there's no damage on the outside of your luggage, there's probably nothing they can do.

 

[seashoreCM]

If more people went through the motions of filing claims with both TSA and their airlines then a pattern of what airports are involved may show up.

Maybe we will all have to have stores send things home rather than our taking them home on airplanes.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Twende]

I flew with new Lime Green luggage two weeks ago. On my trip to NC I lost one zipper pull and on the trip back a 3 inch hole was poked in the back of my luggage. There were large 10 inch long scuff marks all around it too.

I tried to complain and was told in the SW office that it was normal wear and tear!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is very likely that your luggage was simply damaged in handling.

Unfortunately tears, bangs, broken zippers, scrapes and scuffs, etc. are considered "normal wear and tear" and usually the airline will not compensate you.

 

[marivaid]

I'm going to email TSA today and ask them if this commun practice. I've taken pics, so I thought I would show you. I think you'll agree with me that cuts like these can't be done accidentally.

i would be more than happy to file a complaint against the TSA or airline, but how am I supposed to do that ? Should I open my suitcase at the airport and go through every item to make sure it's still intact ? And even if I do that, how do I prove that it wasn't already ruined before I packed it ?

I understand that for security reasons they may need to open items that have padding inside. I would just like to know about it ahead of time, and I also think that the least they could is put a notice in the bags (like they used to). We fly anywhere from 6 to 12 times a year and this has only happened twice - both times luggage was checked in MCO. Coincidence,I dont know

 

[NotUrsula]

Paris, FR or Paris, TX? It might make a difference. TSA doesn't search this way (as they are looking for explosives in checked baggage, they are more likely to blow it up than cut it open if they think it is suspicious), but various law enforcement agencies whose job it is to interdict smuggling have been known to do some serious delving into the structure of baggage if the dogs go off on it. However, those agencies only work int'l arrivals, and you would normally be standing right there while they took the bag apart.

IMO, the most likely culprit isn't anyone with a legitimate security interest, but a thief. If you are looking for wallets or money that might have been forgotten in what looks like a purse checked inside luggage, slashing it with a box cutter is a lot quicker and more discreet than taking it out and opening buckles and zippers. (Japanese tourists, in particular, are known to sometimes leave large amounts of cash in checked baggage.) All kinds of folks have access to airport bag rooms, some of them not as honest as we might wish.

If you bought the bag with a CC and kept the receipt, your CC buyer's protection should pay to have the item replaced.

 

[marivaid]

Paris, FR or Paris, TX? It might make a difference. TSA doesn't search this way (as they are looking for explosives in checked baggage, they are more likely to blow it up than cut it open if they think it is suspicious), but various law enforcement agencies whose job it is to interdict smuggling have been known to do some serious delving into the structure of baggage if the dogs go off on it. However, those agencies only work int'l arrivals, and you would normally be standing right there while they took the bag apart.

IMO, the most likely culprit isn't anyone with a legitimate security interest, but a thief. If you are looking for wallets or money that might have been forgotten in what looks like a purse checked inside luggage, slashing it with a box cutter is a lot quicker and more discreet than taking it out and opening buckles and zippers. (Japanese tourists, in particular, are known to sometimes leave large amounts of cash in checked baggage.) All kinds of folks have access to airport bag rooms, some of them not as honest as we might wish.

If you bought the bag with a CC and kept the receipt, your CC buyer's protection should pay to have the item replaced.

Paris, France and yes I think it's probably got a lot to do with it.

I never even thought of a thief.. we had stuff stolen before, I just assumed that because it was opened like that it had to be a security issue. But what you say makes a lot of sense.

From now on, shoes and clothes only in my checked luggage and the rest comes on board with me or gets shipped home.

 

[dvc guy]

My guess is that it was cut before you purchased the bag. It looks like a cut when someone is not careful in opening the carton they pack them in.

Because it is up on top you probably did not notice it.

 

[ducklite]

My guess is that it was cut before you purchased the bag. It looks like a cut when someone is not careful in opening the carton they pack them in.

Because it is up on top you probably did not notice it.

That was my thought entirely.

Anne

 

[marivaid]

My guess is that it was cut before you purchased the bag. It looks like a cut when someone is not careful in opening the carton they pack them in.

Because it is up on top you probably did not notice it.

It's actually on the bottom part, on the back. I would have noticed it if it had been that way when I purchased it, because now when you lift the bag, the foam padding slips out. Also I always check for snags, tears etc.. whenever I buy something in the US because I know I can't just come back and return it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

In the picture with your thumb, it looks like there's another light 'slice' (e.g. not all the way through) about 3/4" away from the actual slice. Look closely - it appears about four inches long, but it curves slightly left toward the bottom (I realize the purse is turned sideways, so if you're holding it the right way, the almost-slice would be above the actual cut.

I really really don't think it's the TSA, but you can check both that website (tsa.gov) and your airline's site to see if you have ANY recourse.