Got my Emerson stolen from the airlines!

aznav

aznav

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Came home from a recent trip. An airline I won't name stole my Emerson Commander. A beautiful knife. Almost new. I also had a declared firearm in the same bag. Someone in baggage took the knife. Going to make a feeble attempt to get it back but I'll be pissing in the wind. I looked long and hard through Blade Forum expertise to get just the right knife for utility and defense. I'm not a happy camper.:mad:
 
With the declared firearm in the same bag, you may want to make an issue of this with the airline. It would be worth your time.

I ZIP-TIE my knives to the metal frame of my luggage.
 
Angus McGunnigl said:
With the declared firearm in the same bag, you may want to make an issue of this with the airline. It would be worth your time.
I ZIP-TIE my knives to the metal frame of my luggage.
Click to expand...

And it might be worth using the threat of going to the local TV network news agencies and explaining to them how it could have just as easily been the firearm that might have been stolen inside the airport's security zone by someone not authorized to carry one there, let alone be in your locked baggage stealing anything... :thumbdn::grumpy:

Sorry to hear this, man. I hope you get it back.
 
Angus McGunnigl said:
With the declared firearm in the same bag, you may want to make an issue of this with the airline. It would be worth your time.

I ZIP-TIE my knives to the metal frame of my luggage.
Click to expand...

Same here... I also take a photo of the set-up. If it's a particularly important piece to me, I may put a copy of the day's paper as further indication of the time. This isn't indisputable proof of anything, but it is information nonetheless.
 
Walkabout said:
Same here... I also take a photo of the set-up. If it's a particularly important piece to me, I may put a copy of the day's paper as further indication of the time. This isn't indisputable proof of anything, but it is information nonetheless.
Click to expand...

Take the picture with your cellphone, it's very difficult (if not impossible... I don't know how) to change the time stamp on phone pictures.

Remember, the airline is there to serve you. If you have a complaint, they have a customer service department. Ask for names. Keep a list of all the security people that you pass by. If you think it was one of them, you've got names.

Use tamper proof luggage. I've never flown, but when traveling, I keep my (very old and irreplaceable) violin in a tamper proof airline case.. each latch has a different key, and there's also a combination needed to open the final latch. I bought it well over ten years ago after an idiot airline security guy opened without permission and dropped a friend's 250 year old fiddle. The airline paid the insurance value which wasn't even close to the value of an ancient handmade violin... not sure if anything happened to the security guy though.

You have rights as a customer just like you do at any other business. Exercise them.
 
I personally would never carry ANY of my expensive knives in my baggage on a commercial airline. Live and Learn!
 
Psychopomp said:
Use tamper proof luggage. I've never flown, but when traveling, I keep my (very old and irreplaceable) violin in a tamper proof airline case.. each latch has a different key, and there's also a combination needed to open the final latch.

You have rights as a customer just like you do at any other business. Exercise them.
Click to expand...

Actually, since the new "9/11 Rules" were put in place, you really *don`t* have many rights as a customer, including the fact that you can no longer lock any luggage....
 
I have been weary to not travel with my more valuable knives. Even if I lost an inexpensive folder, I would still raise a stink. I always check my one bag, gotta bring a kinfe whereever I go. I feel too naked without one. So far, no problems, fly at least 4x a year for work, and have had no issues yet. I have flown Southwest Airlines always.
 
Locust said:
Also they have special locks now that keep everyone but the security people out.
Click to expand...

Best option is use your own locks and after observing them inspect your luggage, relock it yourself. You really think that those TSA buffoons are the only ones with those keys? They probably do a good amount of stealing as well.
 
Psychopomp said:
Use tamper proof luggage....
Click to expand...

Rat Finkenstein said:
You can use your own lock and be present when they inspect your bag.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that all luggage must be left unlocked or have locks that are able to be opened by TSA staff. Bags are inspected even if the passenger is not present. They throw in a little flier into your luggage saying that it has been gone through. I've heard stories of luggage locks being broken so they can open bags. I've flown NWA on a lot of international flights into and out of the US and I have never had a problem, not yet anyway, but also I've never check in anything valuable. I'm also interested in which airline and what airport the op used.

Zip tying the knife to the inside of the luggage idea seems to be a good deterrent. If it takes time a thief will likely move on to easier prey. Or it might be better to use a laptop lock to lock a visible knife inside the luggage.

I hope you get your knife back. Even if you don't it's important to raise some kind of hell so this doesn't happen to the next guy.
 
Raise hell by complaining to your Congressman. (Congress has oversight over TSA ... remember what happened when we complained to our Congressmen about Customs' new rules?)
 
I do alot of flying and have had several "lock bags" for my burgan either cut open,
had the zip part that locks sniped or just had the locks removed altogether.

I have said something about it every time when im at the airport and then to the airline
afterwards and I always get lots of excuses and not one reason. :rolleyes::thumbdn:
 
I'm starting to think we just need to use locks so thick it would take a torch to remove one.
I doubt anyone would have easy access to a torch, and even if they did I doubt they'd use it (fire hazard).
 
Had the same experience also all TSA approved locks. Carrying anything of value is a risk, we had several items stolen by the screeners at various airports on the east coast.

Haze said:
I do alot of flying and have had several "lock bags" for my burgan either cut open,
had the zip part that locks sniped or just had the locks removed altogether.

I have said something about it every time when im at the airport and then to the airline
afterwards and I always get lots of excuses and not one reason. :rolleyes::thumbdn:
Click to expand...
 
It wasn't the airline, it was a baggage handler at the airport, or to a less-likely degree someone at TSA that stole the knife.

No point expecting a lock will help. By using a public airline, you give permission for your luggage to be opened for inspection any time security feels necessary. If you have luggage that they don't have the keys or secret combo for, you already gave consent for them to bust the lock.
 
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