Garry Gibson
07-20-2010, 07:39 PM
I saw this post today appended to an article about an Air France Flight Attendant who
was caught stealing valuables while people were asleep in First Class.
Take it for what it's worth.
Garry
I live in Alabama near the Unclaimed Baggage Center (UBC) store. UBC buys all "lost" luggage from the airlines, buses, and cruise ships, among others. In talking to a couple of the managers, they say that since the advent of the TSA and x-raying of luggage, they they almost never get any valuables in luggage any more. It used to be that they got lots of cameras and expensive jewelry and designer perfume. Now they get soft-side suitcases with a small slit in the side and an imprint inside where the camera or perfume used to be.
Apparently TSA people and baggage handlers kinda team up. When something is seen in a bag, a small mark is made on the suitcase to show where and what it is. (An UBC manager showed me a couple such marks.) Then the baggage handler buddy cuts the suitcase with a box cutter and removes the article. Then the baggage handler switches the destination tag on the robbed suitcase to send it to a small airport that has only occasional air service (Hickory, NC is a favorite.) This insures that the bag is "lost."
The airlines sell "lost" baggage and actually make a small profit on the transaction. If you go to UBC and find something that is indisputably yours (say a camera with your SSN scratched on the bottom.) You cannot get it back without buying it. According to your ticket, when you check a bag or leave it behind, it becomes the property of the airline.
And if you're ever in Scottsboro in northern Alabama, stop by Unclaimed Baggage. They boast the world's largest dry cleaner and the world's largest laundry. Check out their web site for details. Everything is carefully cleaned, pressed and priced accordingly. But you can get some great buys on especially women's clothing and men's suits. And, who knows, maybe Lohan's missing underwear might turn up there. LOL
was caught stealing valuables while people were asleep in First Class.
Take it for what it's worth.
Garry
I live in Alabama near the Unclaimed Baggage Center (UBC) store. UBC buys all "lost" luggage from the airlines, buses, and cruise ships, among others. In talking to a couple of the managers, they say that since the advent of the TSA and x-raying of luggage, they they almost never get any valuables in luggage any more. It used to be that they got lots of cameras and expensive jewelry and designer perfume. Now they get soft-side suitcases with a small slit in the side and an imprint inside where the camera or perfume used to be.
Apparently TSA people and baggage handlers kinda team up. When something is seen in a bag, a small mark is made on the suitcase to show where and what it is. (An UBC manager showed me a couple such marks.) Then the baggage handler buddy cuts the suitcase with a box cutter and removes the article. Then the baggage handler switches the destination tag on the robbed suitcase to send it to a small airport that has only occasional air service (Hickory, NC is a favorite.) This insures that the bag is "lost."
The airlines sell "lost" baggage and actually make a small profit on the transaction. If you go to UBC and find something that is indisputably yours (say a camera with your SSN scratched on the bottom.) You cannot get it back without buying it. According to your ticket, when you check a bag or leave it behind, it becomes the property of the airline.
And if you're ever in Scottsboro in northern Alabama, stop by Unclaimed Baggage. They boast the world's largest dry cleaner and the world's largest laundry. Check out their web site for details. Everything is carefully cleaned, pressed and priced accordingly. But you can get some great buys on especially women's clothing and men's suits. And, who knows, maybe Lohan's missing underwear might turn up there. LOL