Warning put your name on your luggage

littleme


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 00:24

Hi all

just to let you know that I went to the UK got back on Thursday with my hand luggage missing.

I put it in the overhead locker as asked by staff no problem, we landed in Turkey as normal. Passengers for Turkey got off. Passport control got on the plane as normal so I left all my things on the seat just incase they would be needed. I got a drink from my bag & placed the bag back into the overhead locker then went to the toilet washed my hands ect. I was gone for approx. 3-4 mins at the most I came back sat in my seat & got on with reading my book & eating my sarnie. The plane took off no problems then we landed at Ercan I went to get my bag but it had gone so I informed the staff who told me that my bag had been taken off the plane in Turkey by security, I have now been in battle since thursday to try & get my bag back & so far no luck & like most I had my valuables in my hand luggage. So be warned name address & phone number it may help...

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 11:25

Hi littleme,



Two things stand out here, firstly I have always been told that you cannot visit the toilet when the plane is is on the ground. Why would security take your bag off the plane in Turkey unless they had been tipped off from someone? Did any of your fellow passengers suspect that you had something you shouldn't have? I am not in any way accusing you but it does seem very odd and I am only looking for reasons as to why this should have happened.

jay76


Joined: 17/07/2008
Posts: 532

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 11:32

When people get up to get there hand luggage in turkey i always get up as if i was going as well just to keep eye on mine untill new pasengers get on plane for ercan.

airy____fairy


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 813

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 11:38

yes any unattended luggage is considered suspicious - and I would rather it was removed than left there when it could potentially be a hazard!!!

billyboy1


Joined: 01/06/2009
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 11:51

What do i do?



well i have a very distinctive dolly bag( little case on wheels with handle), in this would be my handbag with all valuables, money, keys, passport, jewllery etc....

My handbag stays in the dolly bag til we r thru customs and into departure lounge, my handbag then goes on my shoulder, and any extras we buy goes into the dolly bag..



Once on the plane, my handbag does not leave my side, or should i say feet, tucked under the seat in front of me.



I watch when we stop in Turkey, and because my bag is very distinctive, red with white spots, i can spot it a mile off....also a good idea to put it in the over head compartment opposite to your seat...

littleme


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 23:17

Yes I did check my bag in Turkey to make sure it was still safe, The security check was a random one & no other passengers had any reason to suspect that I had anything in my bag that I should not have had as I 100% did not have anything that I should not have. I though that the security was on the plane to check passports as normal & that I would have time to nip into the ladies before the plane refuel began as I would normally be asked to remain seated once it starts. The reason I had put my rucksack in the overhead compartment was because I was asked to do so by staff as I did also have a small handbag, book, coat & lunch so fair enough only so much will fit under the seat in front of you on a plane. They did leave my coat ect for me.

hope that lays it out a bit better.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 23:25

hope you get it back soon, i travel as light as i can now in the cabin. seen stories like yours so many times. you just feel helpless xx

EssexOB


Joined: 29/06/2007
Posts: 80

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 23:32

The cabin staff check that cabin bags left on the plane at the Turkey stop belong to someone still on the plane, if not identified they take it off.

Reason - Someone could get on at London with a "device" which they "prime" and leave on the plane when they get off in Turkey. Result -- no plane !!!

littleme


Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 299

Message Posted:
08/03/2010 23:45

Anyway still think it may help if we all know that this can happen & that a good strong name tag could help.

Thanks Lilli I hope I get it back soon x

ianwfs


Joined: 08/01/2008
Posts: 563

Message Posted:
09/03/2010 09:45

One point. NEVER put your address on a label on the outside of your bag. It's an indication that you're away from home and there could be ripe pickings there. Always put your details on the inside of the bag. And don't worry about it being locked. The security people can open anything.



There are teams of people at airports quietly collecting addresses from the outside of baggage and selling them to house thieves.

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
09/03/2010 10:52

littleme, are they sure it was the security staff? I have not seen them going through all the luggage to see if it has an owner. You may have read about my bag being taken by mistake by another passenger. We had to remove the passengers bag from the locker as it was clearly the man who had taken mine.



I am not sure about teams of people at airports taking addresses and of how much use they would be to them. They would have to have boarding cards themselves! However I can see that an address on the outside would be a concern to some so details on a big sheet inside is a must on all luggage. I am sure this helped me get my hand luggage back.



Good luck in getting the bag back.

NanaJan



Joined: 15/10/2009
Posts: 90

Message Posted:
09/03/2010 11:09

A good idea to have a photograph of your cases as well because when one of ours went missing on a Middle Eastern flight they showed us a load of photographs of lost luggage and asked us if any looked like ours. To have a photograph of your own helps and also put a coloured ribbon or similar on the handle to identify yours from others. Make a note of the make and size of the luggage as well as this is necessary to fill in the forms.



We did get ours back after about two weeks but it had been around the world I think before it came back to the correct airport and we could go for it. We claimed a new case because it was damaged on its travels. The receipt of purchase helped us to get the proper value of the case. Just tips having been through it and come out the other side.