Experiences with items left on board

[anat0l]

I've lost a 2GB USB flash drive whilst on a BNE-GLT flight (or GLT-BNE flight, can't remember). 'Twas a fairly new item and cost about 10 times what you can pick up a 2GB drive for now.

I have to admit a bit of concern that there was some of my work stuff on there; not highly super top secret, but you get the idea.

Worse, I was so distracted looking for the drive that I didn't even manage a good conversation with the gentleman sitting next to me, who was genuinely interesting and would have been a great contact.

I never recovered the drive.

I've also left behind a Nokia charger in a hotel - didn't recover it, but claimed a new one on my tax. Speaking of chargers, I left a Sagem charger behind at a hotel, but I contacted the hotel and had them mail the charger back to me (minor postage charges).

Now I take a lot of precautions when I travel. I now attach all my USB drives together (e.g. on a key chain, if I'm carrying them in my pocket) or put them into one distinctive case. Anything of value I catalogue on a piece of paper with peripheral items (e.g. electronics and their chargers) and carry this paper with me all the times - I use it as a checklist when packing and after security screening at the airport. I have a meticulous thorough procedure to check my hotel room before I leave to check out. That's how paranoid I am.

 

[auriga]

I left my small backpack containing wallet and passport at security screening in SIN! I was already onboard the plane before I realised. Panic, panic!!!

Rushed out of the plane which was still boarding at the time. Luckily the screening people had it, and was given a small lecture. They said they announced it over the PA system, but ....

 

[jgm]

Mobile phone dropped out of my pocket at MEL while getting luggage out of car at International terminal. When I discovered it was missing a while later, called the number from mrsjgm's phone. A long term shuttle bus driver answered and said he would drop it off at lost property on his next swing by. Luckily I managed to pick it up in time for the flight.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I make it a habit of mine to check the seat pocket close to landing, when taxiing, before i stand up to get bags out of the bins and just before i get off the plane.

Haven't forgotten anything with that system yet!

 

[thewinchester]

Now I take a lot of precautions when I travel. I now attach all my USB drives together (e.g. on a key chain, if I'm carrying them in my pocket) or put them into one distinctive case. Anything of value I catalogue on a piece of paper with peripheral items (e.g. electronics and their chargers) and carry this paper with me all the times - I use it as a checklist when packing and after security screening at the airport. I have a meticulous thorough procedure to check my hotel room before I leave to check out. That's how paranoid I am.

Can understand that, because losing something you need when travelling is a pain in the butt.

My solution is a zippered QF Mark Newson business amenities case. That bad boy fits neatly into my carry-on and contains every cable and spare part I'll need so I never get caught short en route.

I use this case to keep spares for everything I'll ever need techwise when travelling, including:

• Display
  • 1x HDMI cable
  • 1x VGA cable
  • 1x Mini Display Port to HDMI adaptor
  • 1x Mini Display Port to VGA adaptor
• Power
  • 1x iPod charge cable
  • 1x Nokia mini travel charger (small)
  • 1x Nokia charger adaptor (small to Micro USB)
  • 2x spare rechargeable AA batteries
  • 1x Eveready emergency charger
  • 1x USB multiport charger (with interchangeable international plugs for the countries I'm travelling to)
• Communications
  • Back-up SIM cards for both Optus and Telstra (in case it dies, no need to find a Bridge dealer for replacement, simple phone call to fix)
  • Spare unlocked GSM/3G handset
  • 1x 3m network cable
• 2x memory card readers
• 1x mini USB hub
• 1x USB mini cable
• 1x USB micro cable
• 1x Pen (From QF of course)
• 1x airline headset adaptor
• 1x Firewire 800-400 adaptor
• 1x kitchen sink

The only thing I can't fit in their is my trusty international multi-country adaptor.

That pretty much ensures that whatever I need when I'm travelling, its always with me.

 

[Cyclogenesis]

Got off a Mel-Syd QF flight and was entering the baggage hall. Got a call from QF "Dr Collis, we have your wife's Jacket here on the aircraft"

+1 had left jacket + wallet + phone on board, QF checked name in the wallet, looked up manifest and saw me there and called me. Needless to say I was very impressed and left good feedback with QF management.

Other place I have had things go missing are hotel rooms...

Oh and number 1 super amazing "honest person moment":
I left my DSLR on the National car rental bus in Chicago (the one that takes you from the lot to ORD), waved down the next bus and let them know, and then the next driver came round and gave it to me... I was stunned that 3K of camera was not stolen ("no sir we do not have it") and tipped the driver probably 1/2 his daily wage..

So in the long run I would say I have been more lucky and more impressed with people's honesty than disappointed... (isn't that nice )

 

[PineappleSkip]

I love losing things in seat pockets (not). In my experience, the longer its lost, the less chance finding it.

Passport left on MH domestic flight at KUL. Remembered coming out of airbridge. Major panic. Couldn't go back but collected 1/2 hr later rom MH lost property miles away (it seemed).

Not cheap Sennheiser headphones left in seat pocket at MEL domestic. Remembered next day and rang up MEL lost property. Some vague interest but no result.

Expensive Shure headphones left in seat pocket at BNE domestic. Remembered 2 days later and rang lost property. Care factor re headphones obviously zero. Yaa boo BNE lost property!

Have bought a man bag to hold my in flight items and bolted it to my head. If you see a guy inflight with a man bag bolted to his head, its me.

I have a former life driving taxis many years ago. Expect little joy if you leave something in the back seat. With seat pockets you are dependent on the honesty/care factor of the cleaner or whoever. With taxis you are dependent on the honesty/care factor of the (possibly several) passengers after you and that of the driver.

Cheers skip