What to do when something is absolutely, positively, stolen from checked luggage?

A new GPS was recently stolen from my luggage on a Jet Blue flight from Newark to Tampa. I filed a claim with the airline. I still have the box, serial number and receipt. You would think that with all the safety precautions that are in place, your personal belongings wouldnt be fair game for the airline baggage handlers to take whatever they want. You would also think that there are video cameras monitoring these folks so that foul play can be prevented. If this is the type of personel they are hiring, you have to question the effectiveness of their entire staff which also raise the questions of safety. Jet Blues generic response including their "not responsible" policy is just fine print for highway robbery

Thank you John and Morgan for your posts and information. I had a digital camera and sunglasses stolen from my checked bag yesterday on a JetBlue flight from JFK to Seattle (83). Unfortunately I seem to be getting the runaround from JetBlue; first the 1800 number person told me to call JFK and SEA baggage services (718-632-6350 and 206-835-1371 opt 1 respectively; for those who need the numbers). JFK baggage services told me they could not help, and Seattle just passed me to voicemail from who I have not yet heard back.

After a little research on the Internet I have come across the realization that theft of JetBlue checked luggage is a very large problem; there are so many people with pretty bad stories about losing luggage or having items of value taken - and none seem to end in a positive way for the victim of JetBlue's luggage thieves. It is unfortunate that it is so hard to bring this current problem into the public eye. If everyone was aware of the issue maybe JetBlue would address the situation. I feel pretty apprehensive that I will get my items back, and from what I've seen online I may just get a runaround for such a long time until I get so frustrated that I just give up.

update:
Today I talked to a helpful (but firm) person in the SEA JetBlue baggage service, and was informed that I have no course of action. I was told their fine print states that no electronics (my camera) or valuable items (my sunglasses) will be covered when stolen. They also refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoing concerning the theft, and I was told to contact TSA if I had any issues.

Again it's a very unfortunate and frustrating situation for anyone to be in; the obvious lesson learned (albeit a bit late for me) is to only put in checked luggage items you don’t mind being stolen.

the same thing happened to me. i lost 2 pairs of BRAND NEW True Religion jeans with the tags still on them from a flight out of ORD to SEA.

Sorrry to hear that this problem continues. I am not done trying to get justice for their actions. I plan on writing a letter to their CEO, with a cc to the Better Business Bureau, Dept of Consumer Affairs and possibly the FCC. I am sure that a few newspapers might also be interested in hearing about the inappropriate actions on this once fine airline. Everyone that suffers a loss due to their poor hiring and monitoring practice should do the same.

Let us know how it goes; or let me know if you need any one else to follow thru on JetBlue's, uh, lack of morals...

You know, when things get stolen from your checked luggage, and it happened to me twice, it can either be airline employees or the TSA. And the TSA has an awful track record. Look at this guy in action:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/0...

It's impossible to prove which one is responsible and nobody ends up reimbursing you at the end. A TSA-approved lock can dissuade thieves, or a note inside your luggage... Lesson learned: I only carry valuables in my hand luggage.

I just got off a JetBlue flight from AUA to IAD via JFK. My duty free Grey Goose vodka was stolen. I went to give the Vodka as a thank you to my brother for the airport run, so I knew immediately it had been stolen. I haven't even determined if that's ALL that's missing.

I just got back from Dulles airport via JetBlue on 12-2-08 and pretty much someone went shopping in my suitcase. I wrapped up my makeup case within all of my clothes and it was not easy to get to it. I suppose it went through Xray and then someone put it to the side to get all the stuff out. To include HD camcorder, PSP, and all my jewelry inside my makeup bag. I typically carry all of this stuff on, but this time, didnt have the room. I have been going in circles with TSA and Jetblue, nobody cares about these problems. I will file against my homeowners policy, but come on....i hope the person that stole my championship womens football ring (with my name engraved on it) breaks their finger when wearing it, or attempts to sell it. They have to have survellience cameras, why dont they look at them?? I complained to supervisor at Dulles Airport TSA, and being that it happened within the last 24 hours, you would think they would be more helpful. Lesson learned and a hard one at that. All things can be replaced except for my ring. That was a special one that I will never get over :(

My son is moving from Vegas to Boston so his girlfriend put a few of his valuable coats in her suitcase when she traveled back to Boston on Tues. She was on the red eye so didn't open the suitcase until she got up the next morning. Stolen were my sons 450.00 Italian leather coat (bought in Italy) a jacket from a sports team he played on (not replaceable) and a nice pair of jeans. His girlfriend spent 4 hours on the phone with Jetblue. They gave her the run around and she got no where. My son called Jetblue in Vegas and when they didn't return his call he drove to the airport. His girlfriend when back to the Boston airport to file a complaint also. The Jetblue agent in Boston wouldn't even allow her to file a complaint. Finally when they found out her father is a lawyer they allowed it but said nothing would be done. I don't understand how an airline can operate this way regarding customer service. We are doubtful the things will be returned or we will be reimbursed for these things. Jetblue policy states they will cover lost items up to $3000.00 but then denies all culpability when it is challenged.

I can't believe this happened to me as well at JFK. I was taking a flight from JFK to LA and I had $500 in my laptop bag's front zippered compartment. The ONLY time that bag was NOT in my view was when it was in the screening box! Even while I was being patted down, I made sure to keep my eye on the bag after it came out of the screening box. I reported a complaint to the TSA.gov place and am going to report it whereever I can. I probably will NEVER see my money again but I'm hoping that if more people complain the sooner they'll have GLASS screeing machines so that we can ALL SEE WHAT THE HELL they're doing on the other side. I can just see the maggot fisting that money and acting like he did nothing and meanwhile I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY A BILL!!!! And these TSA guys are supposed to be SAFE?!?!?!? I am soooo angry.

I'd be interested to know how John's claim turned out. JetBlue (or TSA, depending on who you trust LESS) stole a bag of mostly brand new, purchased for that trip (family reunion, etc.), clothing out of our luggage--about $800 worth. Some thief is having a hard time fitting into my husband's Tommy Bahama shirts AND my dresses and tops! JetBlue and TSA insist the stuff's just "missing or misplaced" but they've made no effort to find it in the 6 weeks since it happened, and JetBlue is now denying my claim, saying they're oh-so-sorry, and hoping a voucher for $$ off another JetBlue flight will make me happy. (As if I'd ever dream of flying JetBlue again.)
Has anybody had ANY luck with their claims? Or do they tell all of us the same thing: basically to be stolen from and LIKE it.

Honestly, I didn't follow up on my claim because of how involved it would be. Also, I'm aware this is an industry wide problem. Ideally Jetblue would just tweet me a voucher and I'll call it even.

Begs question though: Why does this happen so frequently and how does the industry plan to make it stop? I can think of no other situation where I would tolerate service employees rifling through my belongings and taking whatever they please. It truly happens only when I fly and absolute crap. Maybe Jetblue could boost their brand by actually solving this problem and compensate accordingly the people who report it.

You're right: it's an involved process, and the problem is industry-wide. I don't think the industry plans to make it stop. It would require too much effort, time and money to adequately monitor their thieving employees. And they write their "carriage contracts" in such as way as to provide loopholes through which they can slip and avoid paying out on legitimate claims. It's a win-win for them. The idea of a "pioneer" solving this problem is appealing, but since they're all getting away with this with no consequences, and they manage to move a lot of baggage without theft claims, those of us who are stolen from are a relatively small percentage of travelers, even though we're a large sheer number. I just don't see any reason why they'd want to do the right thing, when doing the wrong thing isn't really a problem for them. However, I know I'm in the right, so I'm continuing to pursue this thing. This incident follows a recent string of bad behavior by other people resulting in loss to me, so I guess I've just about had enough of this crap to make me want to pursue it.

I tweeted about this and JetBlue promptly replied. They said I should drop them a note with suggestions as to how these cases could be resolved better.

The same Morgan Johnson from the most starred reply in this thread also left his email address: [private info removed]

My suggestions are to ditch the contracted baggage handlers, hire new people as full employees of JetBlue and monitor them heavily.
Taking responsibility for the people who handle the bags is the first step and I think it would be a huge competitive advantage over other airlines to guarantee safer, more regulated transit of bags.

I hope they see this and magically implement it.