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Shoeless Joe - revisited
Warning - on topic only because the equipment involved was for MTBing.
I posted a few weeks back telling my sad tale about my bike shoes, cleats, pedals and bike tool going missing out of my luggage on a flight back from a family reunion. The items were stuffed into my duffel-bag-style luggage, one shoe/pedal per end pocket. I found the bag with the pockets open, and a TSA inspection notice inside the bag. The shoes and pedals were several years old, and I had used them on a ride a few days before. I mention this because it makes it tough for me to believe a baggage handler would have ripped them off. Anyways, I filed the proper paperwork with both the airline (United) and the TSA. My gut feel is that the TSA was responsible, and when I submitted the TSA claim form, my description of "why I felt the TSA was responsible" covered the TSA inspection notice, the details of the metal items being inside my shoes, the opened pockets, etc. I further wrote that I thought the shoes had been removed for inspection, then lost in the shuffle and not replaced. I am told this happens *lots*. Update: Today I recieved a certified delivery form letter from the TSA. I quote from the second paragraph : "... TSA regrets to inform you that your claim is denied. TSA is precluded from paying claims where the claimed loss was not a result of the negligence or wrongful act of its employees." WTF? I specifically explained my suspicion of a negligent act by one of their employees. Smacks of the old sleazeball insurance ploy to automatically deny any claims at first glance. They did include a phone number to appeal such a decision. It's the same generic one I tried originally that kept me in a wait queue for 20 minutes until I found the needed claim forms on a web site. Lesson learned? Don't expect much in "customer service" from an untouchable agency. Think carefully about what you pack in your luggage. If it goes missing, getting satisfaction from the TSA just doesn't sound very promising. One more thing. United came through within days with a letter of apology ("in case" any loss was due to their handling) and a check. I had actually planned to tear up the check if the TSA came through, since I really think the TSA is at fault. I have no special afinity for any commercial airlines, but they are having enough problems without having to cover TSA losses. Cudos to United for stepping up and protecting their customer from personal loss. |
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#2
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Shoeless Joe - revisited
On Nov 9, 2:02 pm, "Mamba" wrote:
Warning - on topic only because the equipment involved was for MTBing. I posted a few weeks back telling my sad tale about my bike shoes, cleats, pedals and bike tool going missing out of my luggage on a flight back from a family reunion. The items were stuffed into my duffel-bag-style luggage, one shoe/pedal per end pocket. I found the bag with the pockets open, and a TSA inspection notice inside the bag. The shoes and pedals were several years old, and I had used them on a ride a few days before. I mention this because it makes it tough for me to believe a baggage handler would have ripped them off. Anyways, I filed the proper paperwork with both the airline (United) and the TSA. My gut feel is that the TSA was responsible, and when I submitted the TSA claim form, my description of "why I felt the TSA was responsible" covered the TSA inspection notice, the details of the metal items being inside my shoes, the opened pockets, etc. I further wrote that I thought the shoes had been removed for inspection, then lost in the shuffle and not replaced. I am told this happens *lots*. Update: Today I recieved a certified delivery form letter from the TSA. I quote from the second paragraph : "... TSA regrets to inform you that your claim is denied. TSA is precluded from paying claims where the claimed loss was not a result of the negligence or wrongful act of its employees." WTF? I specifically explained my suspicion of a negligent act by one of their employees. Smacks of the old sleazeball insurance ploy to automatically deny any claims at first glance. They did include a phone number to appeal such a decision. It's the same generic one I tried originally that kept me in a wait queue for 20 minutes until I found the needed claim forms on a web site. Lesson learned? Don't expect much in "customer service" from an untouchable agency. Think carefully about what you pack in your luggage. If it goes missing, getting satisfaction from the TSA just doesn't sound very promising. One more thing. United came through within days with a letter of apology ("in case" any loss was due to their handling) and a check. I had actually planned to tear up the check if the TSA came through, since I really think the TSA is at fault. I have no special afinity for any commercial airlines, but they are having enough problems without having to cover TSA losses. Cudos to United for stepping up and protecting their customer from personal loss. Eesh. How much of the costs will the check cover? /s |
#3
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Shoeless Joe - revisited
"Scott Gordo" wrote in message
ups.com... On Nov 9, 2:02 pm, "Mamba" wrote: Warning - on topic only because the equipment involved was for MTBing. Eesh. How much of the costs will the check cover? /s I actually reduced my claim amount on everything to account for the age and well-used nature of the items. Found a used pair of (same!) shoes on eBay, ditto for the pedals, cleats. Got a replacement pair of gloves at REI on sale too. That about ate the check. So I'm out an Alien tool, which I'll grab soon. Had I claimed replacement cost, it probably would have been easily 2 or 3X, but this worked out pretty close. |
#4
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Shoeless Joe - revisited
Mamba wrote:
... Lesson learned? Don't expect much in "customer service" from an untouchable agency. Think carefully about what you pack in your luggage. If it goes missing, getting satisfaction from the TSA just doesn't sound very promising.... The TSA models itself after Kafka. -- Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia Tradition is the worst rational for action. |
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