How to get UA to not be such bastards?

October 9, 2006 10:28 AM

Camera and equipment stolen from luggage on UA, anything that can be done?

A good friend of mine was traveling from Cali back to the east coast and brought her camera and equipment back from her parents in a bid to get back into photography. Unfortunately, she had all her equipment in her luggage, and... you can see where this is going... her camera and lenses plus some other things were removed from the bag. Bag itself made it through.

UA personnel basically told her to shove off and said that as long as the bag made it through, it's not their problem if the contents were stolen.

I don't believe she had any sort of travel insurance and it looks like dealing with UA is a dead end, but nevertheless it'll be a great shame if she has to abandon photography for lack of equipment (grad student stipend doesn't really permit replacement) so I'd like to try every desperate measure to see if something can be done.

Any ideas? The TSA has a claims form, but it seems it'd be hard to pin it on them when it's likely UA employees who committed the crime.

posted by Smegoid to travel & transportation (10 comments total)

From the UA website. Go that route and also write paper letters to the President and everyone down the line
posted by JJ86 at 10:33 AM on October 9, 2006

Sorry, try this.
posted by JJ86 at 10:35 AM on October 9, 2006

Dunno if it would also help to file a police report. I would not hesitate to use all channels..
posted by JJ86 at 10:38 AM on October 9, 2006

Personal property is covered by homeowners/renters insurance. If she has insurance, she can make a claim.
posted by lee at 10:50 AM on October 9, 2006

Thanks guys, looks like there's no real panacea, but we'll try the claims and home insurance route. Much appreciated!
posted by Smegoid at 11:14 AM on October 9, 2006

For next time, try this.

Basically the idea is to get a starter pistol and put it in with your camera equip. Declare you are transporting a firearm, and they will enable special security on your bag. No one will be allowed to look into the bag.

And just think, this would work for pretty much anything the security sweeps are meant to find. I feel so safe.
posted by clord at 11:35 AM on October 9, 2006

Which airports? Might not be UA employees at all. It could be a contractor that was handling the baggage.

Just because it happened with United doesn't mean that it was a United employee.

I'd fill out the TSA form anyway, and start writing letters to United asking for further information. The problem is that you might have a heck of a time proving the stuff was even in the luggage. But if you raise enough of a stink with the airline, you might get lucky.
posted by drstein at 12:25 PM on October 9, 2006

The starter pistol idea is an interesting one. I think that a better idea is to go to U-Haul and get a small box. Put the stuff in the box, pad it well, and either send it as cargo or as an extra checked bag. That way you have a leg to stand on if the box shows up and it's been cut open. With a suitcase, it's too easy to just unzip it and take stuff. A sealed box would be a bit harder.

That's what I do when I travel with expensive stuff, and I've never lost anything.
posted by drstein at 12:31 PM on October 9, 2006

Not to dissuade your friend from following the advice above, but who in their right mind would check photographic equipment?
posted by luriete at 12:41 PM on October 9, 2006

luriete, it is often the case that pro gear far exceeds carry-on limitations. Flying from UK to USA we were allowed a single, small carry-on bag. The Spousal Unit and I still managed to stuff our 20D and GL1 into those but we sure wished for a better answer.
posted by trinity8-director at 4:12 PM on October 9, 2006