Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Baggage thieves helped themselves to laptop computers and jewelry
If you ever lost valuables from your luggage during a flight from Portland International airport, then you might be happy to hear that the cops arrested the possible suspects.Jose Trejo Romero and Bridgette Bunnell were arrested after an investigation into a recent spike in luggage theft from the airport.
Both workers handled luggage for Northwest Airlines, and helped themselves to over 200 items from passenger bags. Included in their haul were laptop computers and jewelry.
Of course, this is a good time to remind you to never check a laptop in your luggage, and to keep all other valuables in your carry-on bag. Sadly there are just too many dishonest people out there, and apparently not enough oversight.
It always amazes me that someone is able to enter the sterile zone of an airport without a laptop, and go home at the end of the day with a laptop. I have better security at my local warehouse store.
While you and I are searched from head to toe for dangerous bottled water, scumbags like Romero and Bunnell are helping themselves to our belongings.
(Via: KREM.com)
Check out some of these other wacky laws, place names and signs from around the world!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thiefhunter Feb 24th 2009 12:26AM
Not much we can do about insider luggage thieves, except try to limit what we pack. We can't even lock our luggage any more. But we can try to avoid _outsider_ luggage thieves: those who steal entire suitcases off the carousel. Remember when you had to show your bag tag as you left the "secure" baggage area? Yeah, those were the days. No more. Now anyone has access to luggage as it spins unattended on the belt. The strange thing is, bag thieves tend to go for _black_ luggage. Why? http://bobarno.com/thiefhunters/2008/09/carousel-luggage-theft/
longboatpaddler Feb 24th 2009 8:36PM
You are actually allowed to lock luggage. Use any TSA labeled lock....even Master Lock makes them. IF TSA needs to get in during a bag check, they have master keys to them. They leave a notice in any bag they enter and relock the bag with your lock. There are even TSA labeled combination locks and built in locks.
thiefhunter Feb 24th 2009 10:46PM
Yes, you can use SentryLock, or whatever the TSA lock is. But TSA officers are the ones stealing from luggage, along with airport baggage handlers. One of many stories: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/airport_screener_charged_with.html Hopefully, TSA is getting on top of this. Obviously, when your luggage is opened for the purpose of theft, no note is left. As very frequent flyers with quite a few checked bags, I can say that we've only had a few items stolen, in two incidents. No notes left, of course. A strategy that works for me, better than TSA locks, is very sticky tape, like duct tape, wrapped around my suitcase seam. I use aluminum cases, so the tape sticks well. http://thiefhunter.com
Jenny Feb 24th 2009 2:03PM
The only thing I ever had stolen from my luggage happened at PDX. And, ironically, it was simply a luggage tag that said, 'nothing worth stealing in here'
They stole the tag.
babs Feb 25th 2009 1:02PM
I just pack a huge dildo in my bag with a note attached that reads "this has been up my ass", and I have never had anything taken...except the dildo one time.
tpinbc Feb 24th 2009 8:21PM
Scott, I think you're my new favorite writer on Gadling/AOL. Refreshng blunt honesty and wit. Point about the "sterile zone" is hilarious. So is your point about the water and the suspected "scumbags". Soooo funny.
If it wasn't for the lack of oversite/security in places of special trust like a baggage handling department, there wouldn't be any thievery in the world.
BRANDONMIL3@aol.com Feb 24th 2009 8:23PM
HANG 'EM!!!
Anne Feb 24th 2009 8:41PM
Yeah I can see it happening. NWA has outsourced a bunch of it's stations and contracting with other companies that pay half what NWA did. So, these people are working their butts off for peanuts. Yes, I am an outsourced NWA employee, but I was hired on as a manager for one of the stations. Eighteen months later I quit in disgust. The new people don't care since it is "not their airline." I have never seen such poor work ethics and crappy attitudes. When I was working with my fellow NWA agents we had PRIDE in our company and tried our best to make scheduled departures, many times cutting the allowed turn time in half or better. We froze in the winter and boiled in our own sweat in the summer as well as had permanent aches and pains in our bodies. Yet when we saw that red tail on the tarmac, it was OUR airplane.
So, now we are subject to this kinda crap to deal with as well as HUGE safety issues since so many inexperienced people work these airplanes. It is SO bad that, even though I retired with passes to ride almost free, I WILL NOT FLY ON NWA again!!!!
Adam Feb 24th 2009 8:43PM
I am also a baggage handler for the airline industry. Honestly, they are in such desire as many stations will take whatever they can get that will also pass a drug test and thourough background check. After they pass these checks, they get paid such little amount of money. When I started (a little more than 1 year ago), I made 7.16 per hour to make sure you bags get to where they are going and also maintain national security. Hard work for such little pay. However these guys had no right to do what they were doing. They got greedy! No reason to do it in the first place.
Bumula Feb 24th 2009 8:46PM
I ALWAYS put a small padlock on my luggage. And when they tell me that it might be cut off by a Federal Inspector, I tell them that that's fine but I better see the notice that comes along with an inspection. It's cheaper and less stress for me to buy those smaller padlocks than to have to replace something while I'm away from home.
TLL Feb 24th 2009 10:59PM
Now if we can get some of those baggage handlers at Continental...
MARVIN Feb 24th 2009 9:11PM
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN I WORK FOR CONTINENTAL
Stevew Feb 24th 2009 9:00PM
Bunnell? Any relation to retired Sheriff Bunnell?
Joan Feb 24th 2009 9:10PM
Take photos of everything in your luggage and then put a sign on top of it that says....The contents of this bag have been photographed.
Nothing ever taken!!
Maggie Feb 24th 2009 9:27PM
I can remember being at the Portland Airport. I was subjected to such a intense screening that I had brusies on my ankles the next morning. I complained and they tried to make me look like I was the person that created the problem. Thank goodness I had a friend who worked for a airline that was on duty. Other wise I would of never gotten to my destination. When I got home I had to go to the store. All of my cash was gone. About $2000.00. So do I think for a second that some of these employees feel that they are entiltled to your possessions? Absoultely. We are in a entiltled socitey.
Regardless of the pay as I have read. They, meaning the employees took their position knowing the pay.
So why do these employees complain about what they have to go through.
We all have choices and they made theirs. By stealing. But with our judicial system they will get a slap on the hand. And what the question is, how much did they not only steal, but sell to suplimate their income. I am sure this has been going on a lot longer than any one can comprehend.
Anne Feb 25th 2009 12:41AM
I understand what you are saying about employees taking the job knowing full well about the pay.
BUT, your labor pool is MUCH smaller when you're paying $7 an hour. What kind of people do you think you have to choose from? When I worked at NwA they wanted people with a college degree. And they paid a living wage. The people they hire now can hardly speak english, let alone have any sort of further education. And, living on $7 an hour is almost impossible. So, the airlines are just asking for this kind of behavior when they do this sort of thing. But, by golly, all the executives get HUGE bonuses each year!!!!
Patty Feb 24th 2009 10:39PM
I have just taken a flight from Florida to Cincinnati. While I was away, I tossed all my extra change in my suitcase. when I got home and started to unpack, all the change was GONE? So unreal? My daughter told me the next time to put all my dirty underware on top? I would not steal from anyone. Can't understand anyone who would? All I can say is it will come back to you. Sad!
TLL Feb 25th 2009 10:16AM
Marvin,
to answer your question
My husband and I took a honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas (Nassau) we bought home souvenirs, things we knew we could not take with us on the plane. When we returned home all of it was gone. We filed the report with Continental and was told that nothing could be done and received an apology letter. We lost about 200.00 worth of gifts on a vacation.
it may no be you but some of your fellow employee left me with a soar taste in my mouth (sorry)
Shirley Feb 25th 2009 12:07AM
Yes, I have had TSA steal from my suitcase also. I called and email them but after their 6 months investigation they told me to take them to court.
I even knew the women who took my purfume and face cream while re-entering the USA. When I put my bag back on the belt from Barbados; it was in good condition until the end of my trip in NYC.
I asked TSA why their people are not hell responible since I had to put the bottles in my check luggage.
I don't think it fare I can't swell and look like I want to while on vacation.
It makes me happy to know they will answer to God one day.
Peace
alex Mar 4th 2009 5:17AM
The warm feeling I get when someone is
thoughtful enough to say thank you for having been helped far outweighs the empty one I get when there's no feedback at all.
_______________________
Laptop Computers South-Africa