Securing Air Tags in luggage

[Genie+]

Our luggage has a storage sleeve and one side haz zipped pouches. That’s where our airtags have been riding along.

The craziest thing about airtags is when we first bought them, the apple keychain holders were about $20 for set of 4. Today they are $35 EACH for the same exact ones. So frustrating! In under 3 years the price rose 700%.

 

[Deb]

Our luggage has a storage sleeve and one side haz zipped pouches. That’s where our airtags have been riding along.

The craziest thing about airtags is when we first bought them, the apple keychain holders were about $20 for set of 4. Today they are $35 EACH for the same exact ones. So frustrating! In under 3 years the price rose 700%.

there are plenty of cheap tag holders available

 

[Living42Day]

I am hearing more and more people say the air tags did them no good. A friend flew into Madrid 2 months ago, and his bag did not come off on the conveyor. His air tag showed the bag was right below the baggage counter, on the level below. United wouldn't even investigate by sending someone down to look. They too a report. He watched his bag leave the airport and Madrid. He contacted the police who said there was nothing they could do.

Unfortunately, the police can't use AirTag location as probable cause. While it is pretty accurate, the location data isn't accurate enough to indicate exactly where the item is located. There was a lot of back and forth when someone had their backpack stolen. It was pinging to inside of a home, but a search warrant was completed and nothing turned up. Both the officer and judge got into some hot water for that.

Edit: just realized after I typed this that you said Madrid. Not sure on the laws over there, that was just for the US.

 

[tvguy]

Unfortunately, the police can't use AirTag location as probable cause. While it is pretty accurate, the location data isn't accurate enough to indicate exactly where the item is located. There was a lot of back and forth when someone had their backpack stolen. It was pinging to inside of a home, but a search warrant was completed and nothing turned up. Both the officer and judge got into some hot water for that.

Edit: just realized after I typed this that you said Madrid. Not sure on the laws over there, that was just for the US.

Neighbor here in the U.S. had an expensive power tool stolen from his truck that had an air tag. The Sheriff here absolutely did go to the house, intending to do a "knock and talk" with the residents to ask why the air tag was pinging there. That was not probable cause to search the house, but they ran the address and discovered one resident was on searchable probation so that did allow them to search. But the tag was no longer pinging, and the tool was not there. But they said they have found that the knock and talks often act as a deterrent so that is why they do them, even if they can't search.

 

[Genie+]

there are plenty of cheap tag holders available

It’s crazy though. We needed a second set and I wanted to match the keychains, because that design was really good. But now instead of $5 each for a $20 airtag they are $35 each for a $20 airtag Ridiculous. DH bought another kind and hates them. They are much bulkier, more of a pain to change batteries, and cheaper quality in every respect. Still refuses to pay $35ea though.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MA7K4ZM/A/airtag-finewoven-key-ring-blackberry



These are super nice though - especially back when they were $5!

 

[Living42Day]

Neighbor here in the U.S. had an expensive power tool stolen from his truck that had an air tag. The Sheriff here absolutely did go to the house, intending to do a "knock and talk" with the residents to ask why the air tag was pinging there. That was not probable cause to search the house, but they ran the address and discovered one resident was on searchable probation so that did allow them to search. But the tag was no longer pinging, and the tool was not there. But they said they have found that the knock and talks often act as a deterrent so that is why they do them, even if they can't search.

Officers can definitely still do that, but in larger departments that will very often not occur. Not saying it's right, but there just isn't enough time when the outcome usually leads to little . They can confront the suspect about it, but if they deny it there is little that can be done unless there are additional confounding circumstances like you mentioned.

 

[tvguy]

Officers can definitely still do that, but in larger departments that will very often not occur. Not saying it's right, but there just isn't enough time when the outcome usually leads to little . They can confront the suspect about it, but if they deny it there is little that can be done unless there are additional confounding circumstances like you mentioned.

I was surprised too, but it was a Sunday morning, so I think staffing was greater than call volume so they had the time.

 

[monsterkitty]

Unfortunately, the police can't use AirTag location as probable cause. While it is pretty accurate, the location data isn't accurate enough to indicate exactly where the item is located. There was a lot of back and forth when someone had their backpack stolen. It was pinging to inside of a home, but a search warrant was completed and nothing turned up. Both the officer and judge got into some hot water for that.

Edit: just realized after I typed this that you said Madrid. Not sure on the laws over there, that was just for the US.

Exactly. The air tags show approximate location but not exact. They cannot tell if they're on the first floor or the fourth floor.

 

[tvguy]

Exactly. The air tags show approximate location but not exact. They cannot tell if they're on the first floor or the fourth floor.

My friend said his tracking showed his air tag was right under where they were standing at the airport, which was the baggage area of the airport. His frustration was United could have prevented the theft, if they had just sent someone down to look to see if they could see it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Neighbor here in the U.S. had an expensive power tool stolen from his truck that had an air tag. The Sheriff here absolutely did go to the house, intending to do a "knock and talk" with the residents to ask why the air tag was pinging there. That was not probable cause to search the house, but they ran the address and discovered one resident was on searchable probation so that did allow them to search. But the tag was no longer pinging, and the tool was not there. But they said they have found that the knock and talks often act as a deterrent so that is why they do them, even if they can't search.

We have air tags and your iphone will tell you if one is with you so they can be disabled from stalking so best guess is that is what may have happened to your friend with the tools.

Even if they aren't perfect I really like these devices for keys, the gate key fob, the gym key fob. DS even dropped one in his ski jacket for night skiing since he doesn't have GPS if he ever was injured and I have seen people use them in pet collars. There are all sort of cool holders available for these. Also you can use an opinion in the app that will literally lead you to the devices in 3 d for multiple floors we used when we were replacing batteries recently.

I would imagine that if pressed Apple can probably link the device to the person who disabled it in the case of, say a child going missing or a serious theft where Insurance was involved.