Experiences with items left on board

[albatross710]

I travelled down from Brisbane to Melbourne earlier this week and unfortunately left some rather important items in the seat pocket when I left the aircraft. Not irreplacable, just inconvenient and embarassing. Ouch.

By the time I realised I was already in the Melbourne CBD and the aircraft would have been long gone.

Calling Qantas customer service resulted in me being put through to Lost Property at Tullamarine. Unfortunately they are only open 9:30am - 2:30pm Monday to Friday.

Tried again spent 25 minutes in the queue to Lost Property waiting for them to answer. Pretty frustrating. I must admit I was surprised that they didn't have a better system for tracking lost items as the items were left in a specific seat pocked on a specific flight.

I know it is totally my fault for not picking everything up but I was surprised at the lack of interest in resolving the issue.

If anyone is in a similar situation in the future they can skip some of the steps by calling Melbourne Lost Property directly on 03 8336 4100.

Hope that helps someone and I'll go lick my wounds.

Alby.

 

[harvyk]

Can't really say, the only thing I've ever left onboard is a pair of sun-glasses. But there is a reason why I only buy $10 cheapies, it's because I do have a nasty habbit of losing them (3 pairs for me last year)

 

[simongr]

I have had 4 instances of lost property on flights (I don't include lost Cross pens of which there have been many):

Ipod - CX flight to HKG - dismantled the seat looking for it with no luck and then chased down the aerobridge by teh CSD with ipod in hand!

Blackberyy - lost on KA flight BLR-HKG, found by a boeing exec in Beijing who couriered it to me free of charge

iPod - lost at QF F lounge in SYD with no distinguishing features. Called by the QF F lounge staff who remembered who had been in the meeting room (with mrssimongr and babygr) and left iPod at the baggage desk for me at the int'l terminal for me (collected by my parents when they arrived into Sydney)

Laptop - left at security at LHR when connecting JFK-LHR-LCA. I was told I could collect from lost luggage when I went back to LHR but they were not open on my return so had to call from the lounge in HKG on the flight back to get it couriered back to Oz - not so cheap...

 

[samh004]

I try not to put anything in the seat-back pocket for the very reason I’ll probably forget about it. Better to use a pocket.

 

[ksthommo]

Sennheiser NC Headphones left on the seat on a Dash 8, LRE-BNE over 12
months back. My boarding pass was in the headphone bag also.

Tried lost property a few times in Brisbane, no luck.

 

[Travel Guru]

I try not to put anything in the seat-back pocket for the very reason I’ll probably forget about it. Better to use a pocket.

I have a small satchel bag that fits inside my carry on bag and slots nicely into the seat pocket in front of me holding everything i need, and alleviating the problem of lost items.

TG

 

[thewinchester]

I have had 4 instances of lost property on flights (I don't include lost Cross pens of which there have been many)

Eek, I've lost a good Cross metal ballpoint before, and was bloody unhappy about it too.

Only things I've lost in a cabin I don't really care about - a small camera bag strap back in 99 on MH, and a container of Max Brenner white hot chocolate powder (about AUD20) in March last year. Wasn't worried about them at all, so just let them slide and vanish into lost property.

I make a point of carrying a black Ben Sherman jacket with me when ever I fly. It has enough pockets to store everything from the BP, mobile, noise-reducing headphones and a point and shoot camera. The jackets small enough that it'll hang on the small Y coat hooks, or go between the seat and lower bulkheads when sitting on a window.

However, cabs are the bane of my existing. One cab driver is sporting a good AUD150 Cross ballpoint, and I'd like to find the scum of the earth driver who didn't report or hand in the AUD500 pair of prescription sunglasses I accidentally left in his vehicle one evening after work. Dishonest cab drivers really grind my gears.

 

[Keith009]

Sony Cybershot camera - left onboard on OZ flight. Pestered OZ baggage services with the help of W Seoul concierge. No dice.

Morgenthal Frederics sunglasses - left onboard an SQ flight. Only discovered it when I was already on connecting flight out of SIN, told the crew who reported it to ground staff for me. Made another report to SQ baggage services when I got home. It was delivered to my address in MEL a week later. I also nearly left them at a stall at Portobello market in London, as Mal would attest to.

Cartier watch - left onboard a QF flight. Contacted QF desk at MEL. Someone brought it up from the plane after about 45 mins. Would've been painful if this one was lost. :shock:

VAIO laptop - left onboard a QF flight. Contacted baggage services desk (which services both QF and NZ i think) at WLG. A crew member brought it up from the plane - took only about 10 mins since it's such a tiny airport.

Bag of shopping including new Prada and Dior shoes, Hermes silk scarves, a Louis Vuitton wallet and Versace jeans - left at security in SIN. Thankfully I discovered it when boarding was still underway, and was going to retrieve it - but a v nice BA crew member did it for me.

However, cabs are the bane of my existing. One cab driver is sporting a good AUD150 Cross ballpoint, and I'd like to find the scum of the earth driver who didn't report or hand in the AUD500 pair of prescription sunglasses I accidentally left in his vehicle one evening after work. Dishonest cab drivers really grind my gears.

It might not be dishonest cab drivers - fellow pax can be dishonest too.

I'd say it's much easier to retrieve stuff left on planes than in cabs. I've never recovered things I left on cabs before, including a whole shopping bag of Agnes B shirts and a Chanel necklace I bought for mum. I've also been advised that I'd have a much greater chance of recovering misplaced items if left on the front seat than the back seat, as they're more likely to be taken away by other pax in the back seat - and so I've made it a point to sit at the front.

 

[thewinchester]

I'd say it's much easier to retrieve stuff left on planes than in cabs. I've never recovered things I left on cabs before, including a whole shopping bag of Agnes B shirts and a Chanel necklace I bought for mum. I've also been advised that I'd have a much greater chance of recovering misplaced items if left on the front seat than the back seat, as they're more likely to be taken away by other pax in the back seat - and so I've made it a point to sit at the front.

Agreed about planes, and being a long time cab user I've always sat in the front.

I just don't understand the logic which goes into taking something that's not yours. What kind of people are you, pax or cabbie, when you think that taking something not belonging to you is OK.

Sorry to get all moral on a Friday, just grinds my gears.

 

[stryker]

Can't really say, the only thing I've ever left onboard is a pair of sun-glasses. But there is a reason why I only buy $10 cheapies, it's because I do have a nasty habbit of losing them (3 pairs for me last year)

I probably have some of yours then.

Found in the mens loo at BNE (QF end).

 

[dajop]

I've also been advised that I'd have a much greater chance of recovering misplaced items if left on the front seat than the back seat, as they're more likely to be taken away by other pax in the back seat - and so I've made it a point to sit at the front.

Even better chance of recovery if you leave them in the boot! A few weeks ago I left my luggage in the boot of the taxi, arriving in the office before heading to the airport. As I do occassionally take a taxi to the office, out of habit I started heading to the lifts, when I turned round (a matter of 2-3 seconds) the cab was his way Igave chase and waved to no effect, but at least I got his cab number. That's the trouble with some Singapore taxi drivers - if you do engage them in conversation they forget simple things like opening boots, taking the right exits on expressways, etc...

 

[thewinchester]

Even better chance of recovery if you leave them in the boot! A few weeks ago I left my luggage in the boot of the taxi, arriving in the office before heading to the airport. As I do occassionally take a taxi to the office, out of habit I started heading to the lifts, when I turned round (a matter of 2-3 seconds) the cab was his way Igave chase and waved to no effect, but at least I got his cab number. That's the trouble with some Singapore taxi drivers - if you do engage them in conversation they forget simple things like opening boots, taking the right exits on expressways, etc...

You just reminded me about my recent trip to SIN. Left my mobile in the front seat of a class Toyota Crown on my trip to the airport. Driver came right back to the terminal as soon as he noticed my error, found me at the check-in rows and returned the phone. Couldn't thank the driver enough.

Oh - and whatever you do, don't leave something in the boot of a Perth cab. If its in the front, the taxi code says the driver wears the cost of returning the idea. In the boot, make sure to have your credit card ready as you're liable.

 

[ArseneV]

CX HKG - SUR - Left a jumper on board.
Next morning I realised and that day I was flying back to HKG with CX.
I informed check-in staff but he wasn't confident. I then told the lounge staff and they contacted lost property. Lady from lost property came over personally to tell me she found my jumper last night but it is now in customs and the customs office is still not open.
She organised for my jumper to be given to CX and put on the next available flight to HKG.
It was at HKG the following morning ready to be picked up before my flight to MEL.

CX are good, very good.

 

[Sunhill]

I left a rather expensive graphic calculator on the plane on a flight from SYD to TSV. While in TSV, Qantas rang me, told me they'd picked it up and that I could collect it from Baggage Services. As I was flying back the next morning it was too easy!

So now I am super-super-cautious, because that will never happen again!

 

[QF WP]

I try not to put anything in the seat-back pocket for the very reason I’ll probably forget about it. Better to use a pocket.

I'm the same. That's why pockets, FF bag were made, after all. I only put reading matter into seat-back pocket.

 

[Cheesy]

Flew CBR-MEL-PER on DJ back in November 2003, didn't regain correct pressure between the ears landing in MEL, so the rough landing in "tropical conditions" at PER caused a panic attack as my head was going to explode (or so I thought!).

After being escorted off the plane and down the stairs, I realised once getting into the car that my phone and wallet were sitting in the seat pocket. Of course I blamed my friend who collected my hand luggage!

Phoned PER the next day and they said they would contact the aircraft cleaners to see if they found them. Cancelled all my cards, and then got a call back saying they had both items with all cards & cash still inside the wallet!

 

[albatross710]

Interesting travel stories. I'll be interested to see if any of my stuff gets returned. I have been think about it.

Notepad has my name and mobile number on the front. Just in case I lose it.

Letters inside manilla folder gave my name and address.

Company notes have my company name and addresss.

There are do many traps for travellers. Keep them coming.

 

[wandering_fred]

BNE-AKL left a light jacket in the overhead bin

Four days later went to lost luggage with the flight details and much to the amazement of the lady on duty, it was listed in her computer, ehich enabled her to go collect it from its resting place.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[thewinchester]

Flew CBR-MEL-PER on DJ back in November 2003, didn't regain correct pressure between the ears landing in MEL, so the rough landing in "tropical conditions" at PER caused a panic attack as my head was going to explode (or so I thought!).

Slightly OT, but this is a common occurrence for some people arriving or departing via MEL. My late mother always had this, and I suffer the same thankfully not as harsh.

I've always attributed it to geographic factors and the sometimes steep ascent/landing slopes into there. Any pilots who could shed some light on this?

 

[albatross710]

Well good & bad news.

Bouquet to Qantas: I was contacted by Lost Property and the items did find their way to lost property and were duly posted to me. Very happy with that.

Grrr: To whomever rifled through the paperwork and picked out the QP Pass letter with passes attached, enjoy your ill gotten gain.

I doubt Qantas cleaning staff/contractors need a pass to the QP.