Luggage stolen at MCO

[MikeP]

I would bet you are correct about your bag being targeted because it was rather common. I too have black luggage but to make mine easier for me to identify at the baggage claim we have neon green and neon orange luggage straps that we wrap around them. I did that so we could identify them quickly as they came around but I guess it would also help deter a thief that was looking for non descript bags.


BTW, DFW is hit or miss on matching luggage tags upon pick up. I fly in and out of DFW pretty regular usually on Delta or American and they probably have someone there to check the baggage claim 30% of the time that I have flown.

 

[Claudia1]

We have occasionally wrapped the locks/zippered areas with duct tape. This is based on the assumption that it takes the thief time to undo it and duct tape also makes a noise. It is a bit embarassing to be rolling duct-taped bags through the terminal, though. I had not heard of theives grabbing a bag and running with it.

In hind-sight, it may be a great idea. Maybe they think that the owners are too poor for good suitcases and nothing worth-while is inside!

 

[Liz]

I'm so sorry your vacation started out in such an awful way. What a great attitude you must have to still say your trip was lots of fun!!! Way to go!!!

We're still using cherry red Samsonite luggage purchased in the 70's! It was a very fashionable and stylin' color back then but sure stood out among the other suitcases on our last trip!!! Its still in good shape so I'm not going to replace it yet. We thought our luggage was lost on our last vacation because all 3 of our pieces came out together the very last. Guess they were too busy laughing in the back to put it on the conveyor!!!

 

[inkkognito]

What a scary thread!!!
Hubby and I have festooned our luggage with hair ribbons and loudly colored tape, so at least we'd have half a chance of noticing right away if someone took this. We did this after our luggage was "stolen"...not on purpose, but some person took our bags AND his own at Port Canaveral after our Disney cruise. He never was really able to explain how, but he took them all the way to Ohio. We eventually got them back with everything intact, but it was a scary experience as it took quite a while for us to even find out where they were. I can't even imagine the horror of having a bag actually stolen.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.disneycruiser.com

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We had been using ribbons to mark our luggage for a number of years. Of course, with red ribbons on black Samsonite soft sided suitcases, there was no assurance that the bag coming down the conveyor belt was one of ours. So many people have black, Samsonite, soft sided bags with red ribbons on them that you sometimes have to look at the name tag to be sure it's your bag. Last year, we purchased some bright blue luggage straps that are two inches wide and long enough to go around a large suitcase in the longest direction. (They were also available in red and in a rainbow stripe at about $8 each in a local luggage emporium.) Now I can spot our bags as soon as they come out of the back luggage handling area. I always wait near the first stretch of the conveyor belt so I can pick off our bags before they get too far along the circuit. Once it is in sight, I can fight the crowd to get to the edge of the belt so I can remove the bag. I suppose it's another thread to discuss why so many people allow their young children to crowd right up to the edge of the conveyor belt where people are trying to lift off suitcases that can sometimes be quite heavy. I know the kids are anxious to get their suitcase and be about their vacations, but it seems to me that it could be a dangerous place to be if someone swings a heavy bag off the conveyor and loses control. I've helped more than one slightly built person lift a suitcase that must have been right at the limit of allowed baggage weight. It's amazing how much you can pack with these wheeled bags.

In any case, these wide straps have the additional advantage that they provide a little more protection from a bag opening accidentally and spilling its contents on the tarmac as the zipper lets go. We saw this happen while sitting in a plane at ORD as the luggage was being loaded into the cargo hold. It was raining at the time, and I felt really sorry for the person who's bag later came down the conveyor belt with the still wet clothes stuffed back into the bag which was now wrapped with duct tape. Even though the airlines provide some compensation in such circumstances, it is still a major hassle to have to deal with such a thing at the start of your vacation (or even upon returning from your vacation, for that matter).

Ralph

 

[dcedwards]

I called SWA Customer Service today and told them about this particular thread and voiced my concern since we will be traveling next month. The agent seemed very concerned...took down the information and said they would look into it. I mentioned that perhaps they were concentrating so much on security at the other end -- boarding -- that they also needed to look at security at this end -- baggage claim. She did seem concerned so we will see if it does any good.

 

[BansheeBlue]

You're a star! Thanks for calling and giving the airlines the message that they need to take care of their clients!

 

[hercamore]

Sorry to hear about your bag being stolen...how easily this can happen at this type of baggage carosuel at MCO. Hope you recd some type of reimbursement for your loss.

Last summer, at MCO my suitcase was the first one off the carosuel and someone immediately took it thinking it was theirs. I don't think this was a scam as the family just stood there with my suitcase as I was rushing over to them to get it back. I could see them take it because I had a lime green strap and lime green tag on it. I guessed it was mine.

Anyway, they gave it right back to me after checking the name tag. On my last two trips to disney, we now stand at the area where the bags come off the unloader so as not to let them ride around the carolsuel.

I really recommend that you very colorfully decorate those black suitcases that everyone has. It really helps identify your bag from a distance.