Have you ever loaded up a bag with stuff that you didn't want anymore, just to see if they would give you cash for them?

"I had a US$10k guitar in that bag and have the receipts to prove it!"

:D

I'm seriously waiting United claiming in court one of these days that they shouldn't pay out for a broken guitar because it's common knowledge that United breaks guitars, so if you still flew with them and they broke a guitar it's on you.

> Have you ever loaded up a bag with stuff that you didn't want anymore, just to see if they would give you cash for them?

I usually make Montréal Convention of ‘99 claims [1]. What’s in the bag is irrelevant. So instead I’m caught arguing over whether a polo is a necessary expense for a work lunch with some guy in Toulouse.

[1] https://www.iata.org/contentassets/fb1137ff561a4819a2d38f3db...

Since you seem knowledgeable about the topic, would you say it's basically imperative to never check in something into luggage that you are unwilling to lose?

(Ie. only travel with things small enough for cabin or things insured and possible buy again)

If an airline's low-reliability baggage system loses my second-hand bought modular synth I might just have no receipts to show unlike in cases with toiletries and medication for example for one, and besides sometimes it can just be something I cannot even buy again.

Even that is not enough. My wife recently had an experience where American Airlines sent her bag to the wrong country after she was forced to gate check it due to lack of room on the plane. She had paid to have a carryon luggage in the cabin, which she had brought with every intention of having on the plane with her, but was forced to check it anyway or be denied boarding at the gate.

Yeah, my last time flying i notice that delta had no problems whatsoever. But American airlines was just constantly harassing us about how "there wasn't enough room on the plane" and the last passengers would have to check their carry on's. Like what? You think that's my fucking problem? You sold all the tickets, you built the plane, but i guess i just have to let you steal my shit as compensation for this "chance occurrence" that you've engineered to happen on every possible flight. Fuck American airline, the terminal sucked, the plane was rattling like it was made out of cheap plastic, they intentionally fucked up their overhead bins to steal money we paid to carry on, and the plane didn't even have a screen! Delta was cheaper and every seat had a screen. AA sucks

Absolutely.

I mean, some countries are worse than others. I have yet to come home from Mexico without my locks being cut off and bag pillaged, but other international flights have been fine.

Other who place GPS trackers on their luggage have watched it leave the airport and go to a random persons house.

Theft of checked in bags is common, and rummaging through bags is expected.

Maybe to your travel destinations but that is definitely not common.

Bags mysteriously disappearing is common enough that you probably know someone who’s been impacted by it.

It’s true: never attribute to malice that which can be sufficiently explained by incompetence. Except that we have proof of malice in many cases now that gps trackers have been commoditized.

If you don’t lock your bags, as many don’t, you might attribute a missing item to forgetfulness, but it’s just as likely that it’s simply been stolen.

The simple fact is that you should take care with what you check in, especially in countries of higher corruption, less security or less caring security.

In the states where you baggage likely has cameras on it from beginning to end is different, and probably just incompetence. It’s not like we send our best to manage bags (albeit I’m sure you can come up with some fine examples otherwise).

I travel internationally on about 3 R/T flights a year to Europe and Asia (mostly Delta and United alliances). I fly in the US about 12 flights a year (Delta and Southwest). I always check a bag.

My bag was delayed by a day one time in 2018 when Thai Airways hustled me to a connection through BKK, but my luggage wasn’t so lucky. That’s the only time I’ve had a problem. (knock wood)

Of course, my evidence is anecdotal. But so is that of folks who are outraged (outraged!) by their lost luggage.

I reserve my outrage for the people who prolong the boarding process finding bin space for their duffel bag, roller bag, and backpack.

I had a German friend who grew up in Rwanda, each time they’d go through Paris/CDG, at least one piece of luggage wouldn’t arrive. Years later, a network of Paris people was snatched in CDG. But it keeps going on.

> never check in something into luggage that you are unwilling to lose

This is exactly the name of the game if you travel to Argentina. Avoid getting separated from your luggage at all times if possible. So basically use a carry-on luggage.

Baggage handling is corrupt as hell in Argentina.