if someone stole something of mine on a flight I was on should the airline be responsible?

Question

I had a laptop stolen. It was a carry on item

My was stowed in the overhead compartment. The airline should be responsible because they are supposed to let handicapped persons (which I am) unboard first then everyone else. If they had followed the correct boarding procedure this might not have happened. I have been flying on airlines for years and every other time I flew they boarded me first. They let everyone else off the plane. The plane held 300 passenger+ so that gave anyone a chance to steal my computer without my noticing. MY stuff was the only stuff in the overhead bin above our seat. Someone purposely stole my laptop. I am always aware of what I have and where it is. I think the airline is responsible, they are responsible for EVERYTHING & ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS ON THE PLANE.

Answer 1

No, it was your own fault. You use the storage space at your own risk. I can't imagine why you'd think the airline is in anyway responsible, unless it was the crew, and I highly doubt that.

Next time take better care of your stuff.

Answer 2

The airline is in no way responsible for your laptop being stolen. In all honesty the airline isn't responsible if you say put your camera into your check-in and it was broken.

I'm sorry that your laptop was stolen, however this is one of the many reasons people do get travel insurance. Travel Insurance is for Medical, trip cancellation, trip interruption, baggage delay/loss, flight delay, stolen items, etc. Now with any insurance company there are the rules they go by and it is best to verify if something is covered prior or not because a lot of times with insurance they cover items up to a certain dollar amount.

When it comes time to travel no one wants to pay the extra money because they say "Well what if I don't use it, and then I lose my money". Well of COURSE you do, you don't get your car insurance, house insurance or medical insurance money back when you "don't use it" do you?

Unfortunately there are many who don't even realize they aren't medically covered internationally. Why would you be? Not everyone even leaves the state, let alone the country. This would only increase insurance premiums, which if I never traveled outside the country I know I wouldn't want to pay for it would you?

For example you are at a resort in Jamaica, you are coming out of the pool, and you slip and crack your head. Who is responsible? The resort? No it is you again the client is responsible for there own medical insurance.

Another example your transfers are included in your trip package, on the way to the resort your transfer bus is in an accident. Who is responsible? The ground operator who is providing the bus service for you? No it is you; you need to have your own medical.

So next time your travel agent is explaining to you the benefits of insurance and you might be thinking one of two things. 1: They just want me to spend more money. OR 2: I don't want to spend the extra money, I won't cancel no matter what or nothing will happen to me. Really think about this, first I would like to say agents who explain the benefits of insurance wasn't trying to "up sell" you, in fact most agencies make nothing more if you buy this insurance. The only reason they make more is IF they charge a service fee, which I know our agency doesn't only because we really so highly recommend it in knowing stories of what REALLY can happen.

Sure you might not use this insurance, but the one time you might trust me it will most likely pay for itself! I know this from personal experience by the way of my sister getting in a MAJOR car crash in Costa Rica.....she ended up having bills to about 15,000 dollars.

Anyways sorry to go into such a long story, but I’m very passionate about this when it has affected me directly.....you try dealing with an embassy on working not to get your loved one kicked out of the private hospital due to lack of funds at the time. With insurance this would never happen!

In the event of something happening to one of my clients I will do everything in my power to help them in a tragic moment, but really how is that fair to those that have purchased insurance? At least that is the way the insurance companies and vendors feel when it comes to waiving penalties.

So please when someone tries to explain the benefits, at least listen and know what you are passing up.......Even if you book a trip online an agency can purchase the insurance for you based on your trip cost and age at time of travel. Even though you should consider going through an agent....that is another post =)

Answer 3

One of the things I learned while in the Army is to secure our gear. That means our weapons, equipment, vehicles or anything else we are personally responsible for never leaves our sight or we have someone we trust watch it for us. I find find this concept invaluable in civilian life too. Don't blame the airline because you were irresponsible.

Answer 4

I don't think the airline is responsible for carry-on baggage.
Maybe if you have personal insurance you could claim it through the insurance. But try you luck with the airline.

Answer 5

no.