Lost Laptop

[JPA Cate]

Hi, everyone,

Jim left his laptop in our hotel room, and realized it at the airport. He phoned the hotel and made arrangements for its shipment to our friends' address in Oz. So okay.

We checked in our baggage (AA in Chicago) straight through, via Qantas to Sydney. When we got home to the boat, my laptop was not in my checked baggage! It turns out Qantas rules disallow computers in checked bags. So, they're not interested. It might have been good if such notices were posted at the check-in for their sister-company. Carry jewelry and laptops in your carry-on.

As the computer had been used for online banking of various sorts, it was necessary to contact all of them and change passwords, issue new cards, and so forth. You should be aware this took about 6 hours of phone calls, frustrated by websites acting up and the phone dropping out. This experience is probably normal for the situation. For us it was complicated by fatigue.

It is suggested that one notify the authorities, but I expect the Oz police have better things to do than worry about that theft, and I expect also that the Chicago cops'd laugh! and call me "dumby"... at best.

Added to the fiscal inconveniences, there is the loss of personal material, which is irretrievable.

The good news is that apparently, the computer was stolen for personal use, rather than to take to a hacker.

So, when you travel, keep safe.

Ann

[Auspicious]

With all due respect, checking computers or jewelry is not a good idea without serious coordination ahead of time. I speak as a former US DCS non-pro courier.

Carry-on computers, jewelry, meds, and pretty much anything that is expensive or mission critical. Stories to tell.

[GordMay]

So sorry for your troubles!

FWIW:
“Carriage of lithium battery powered portable electronic devices are limited to 15 devices per passenger, including medical devices, portable tools etc.”
➥ https://www.qantas.com/ca/en/travel-...angerous-goods

[chrisr]

oh no, that must be so annoying !

never heard of this qantas rule before and cannot see mention of such on their website. perhaps route specific ? either way, they should have warned you and i don't think they can walk away from responsibility

is there any possibility that qantas (or their ground management) took laptop out of your bag ? maybe it's sitting at SFO ?

travel insurance ?

what about boat insurance ? some cover portable valuables when ashore...although ashore in a different hemisphere might stretch the point

cheers,

[SailFastTri]

Rule # 1 Encrypt the disk/memory of all smart devices and storage devices, and use strong passwords.

Rule # 2 Use a good password manager such as LastPass, Myki, 1Password, or Apple Keychain -

Rule #3 Make the password for every site unique and don't use a pattern or sequence for changing passwords
Rule #4 Enable Multifactor (2-factor) authentication on every account that supports it.

[IslandHopper]

Not good news at all Ann, but the disallowing of computers in checked baggage by Qantas sounds a little strange.

I've been carrying laptops in checked baggage on Qantas for years when travelling for work and pleasure without a problem, i've even had the random baggage check on a number of occasions with no mention at all of the laptop in the suitcase...... i also just yesterday landed back in Aus from Singapore with laptop in suitcase...and, i will be doing the same on Saturday when i fly out to join ship....

Honestly I think someone is just telling you porkies in the hope of brushing it away, if you read the link that Gord put up you will see there is no such rule...

[Dsanduril]

Ann and Jim, I feel your pain, very sorry you have cope with the aftermath.

For the others asking, the prohibition is deep in the Conditions of Carriage:

7.4 Restrictions on Checked Baggage
You must not include in your Checked Baggage:

fragile, delicate or perishable items
computers
items with a special value, such as money, jewellery, precious metals, silverware
negotiable papers, share certificates, securities or other valuable documents
cameras
personal electronic equipment including compact discs
commercial goods or business documents, or passports and other travel documents.
If you carry items in contravention of these Conditions of Carriage, we will use all available defences against any claim in respect of any damage, loss or destruction of those items.

Source:

FWIW the originating carrier (AA) says about the same thing (unfortunately):

If your checked bag is lost, damaged or delayed, we will pay the actual value of the losses up to $3,500 (or up to $5,000 if you declare excess value).

A good rule of thumb is never to check anything you can't live without. If it's irreplaceable, sentimental or you depend on it for your well-being, keep it on you or leave it at home.

What we don't cover
We don't cover loss or damage to:

Antiques or artifacts
Artwork
Books or documents
Business equipment or samples, or marketing material
China or silverware
Computers, software or other electronics
Fragile items
Furs
Heirlooms
Jewelry
Keys
Liquids
Medication (over-the-counter)
Money
Orthotics or surgical supports
Perishable items
Photographic, video or optical equipment
Precious metals or stones
Securities or negotiable papers
Time pieces
Unique, irreplaceable or similar valuable items

Seems about the only thing that is covered are my crappy, worn-out sailing clothes with about a $5 value.

[Auspicious]

The underlying issue beyond security of your valuables is lithium batteries burning. The airlines want the batteries in the cabin where fire can be identified and confined. They have fireproof bags and boxes to dump electronics into.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

Ann and Jim, I feel your pain, very sorry you have cope with the aftermath.

For the others asking, the prohibition is deep in the Conditions of Carriage:



Source:

FWIW the originating carrier (AA) says about the same thing (unfortunately):



Seems about the only thing that is covered are my crappy, worn-out sailing clothes with about a $5 value.

So they are restricted but not prohibited, well there you go i didn't see that bit

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

The underlying issue beyond security of your valuables is lithium batteries burning. The airlines want the batteries in the cabin where fire can be identified and confined. They have fireproof bags and boxes to dump electronics into.

Some they do, some they don't - https://www.qantas.com/us/en/travel-...equipment.html

Batteries installed in their device may be carried in checked bags. Spare batteries not in device must be carry-on. But tools not allowed in cabin, so must be in checked bags. Note that the checked bags items includes "electronic devices (portable)" and yet the contract of carriage says those are not allowed in checked bags.

[CarlF]

By any chance was it a 2015 MacBook Pro?

TSA banned some of them for both carryon and checked baggage in August because of defective batteries. It might have been pulled without Quantas knowing.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoff.../#707ff3c436c0

[Lazy1]

They probably do not allow computers to be in checked baggage because they cannot keep the baggage handlers from stealing bag contents and do not want the liability.

[Mike OReilly]

What a PITA Ann. Sorry to hear about your troubles. I know you two will get through this fine, but still, what an annoyance.

Kinda makes you realize how dependent we are on these digital tools. If I lost my laptop, well, lets just say it would be a very bad day indeed.

[JPA Cate]

Thank you for all the feedback, guys. Qantas policy is as stated above, and AA, too. It was only my laziness, not wanting to carry the weight that brought this down on me. My bad.

I told one other CF member who is a personal friend, and he had not been aware of the prohibition, either, and I wanted to get the word out, because it is something any of us could do...and then would rather not have done!

Thanks to SailFastTri for the 4 step method in Post #5, noted. And thanks for the sympathy, not sure I deserve it. Never did it before, won't do it again, I promise.



Ann

PS, Jim's laptop has been delivered to our friends, this afternoon. It'll be back aboard tonight.

[El Pinguino]

So, was the case just opened and the laptop removed? Was it on top or buried deep... snatchers just grab what comes to hand.

An aside .. Rather than some fancy lock I just secure my zips with small cable ties... deters casual thieves. I leave them 'open' just enough so I can insert a ball point pen and rotate it to snap them.

Just found this https://au.news.yahoo.com/qantas-vir...111219966.html

Would this have been the issue? If so it should have been included in the check in interrogation... 'do you have blahblahblah Macbook.. blahblah in your checked baggage??'

In Auckland you would have been hauled off down to the 'reconciliation room'... a blast proof bunker down in the bowels somewhere.... been down there once.. interesting.
On another occasion a small torch with a lithium batt was in my checked in... yes I know... at far end found that switch had been disabled.. switch button thingo had been placed in a small ziplock.
Both occasions was just passing through in transit with a plane change..