Missing iPad: Who is to blame?

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Michael Wong Ngee Khih

Robert Tan

Angy Ng

SIBU: Air travellers are advised to carry their valuable items as hand luggage instead of checking them in.

Metropolitan Travel Service Sdn Bhd manager Michael Wong Ngee Khih yesterday said airlines had repeatedly advised passengers to carry items such as laptops, jewellery and other valuables weighing not more than 7kg with them during their flight.

“Air travellers too must be proactive in safeguarding their belongings by taking precautionary measures and should not leave everything to airlines and airports,” he said.

He was asked to respond to a case where four American tourists joining a 10-day Pandaw River Cruise were left furious after their bags that they checked in at Kuching International Airport (KIA) before leaving for Sibu were rummaged.

Kay O’Neill, 71, from California, claimed that she realised her iPad was missing from her luggage after her group of 30 people landed at Sibu Airport at 11.30am on Tuesday.

According to her husband, Eugene O’Neill, 74, the seals on both of their luggage were broken, but nothing was taken from his luggage.

It was reported that their tour guide, Lilian Agama, lodged a report at the central police station on the day they arrived here.

Meanwhile, Equitorial Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd managing director Robert Tan advised passengers to make a report with the duty officer at the airport if they found anything missing from their luggage.

“If upon discovering that their luggage had been tampered or items were missing, they should approach the duty officer and complete a claim form immediately. They would be asked to give details, like the flight number, and asked to itemise their belongings,” Tan explained.

He said it would be difficult for passengers to vouch their case if they leave the airport and return later to fill up the public complaint form. He said insurance companies would compensate them for the lost item.

In other countries, there was this practice of providing passengers with daily allowance until their luggage was found, he said.

“This allows them to buy their clothing or other necessities.”

In Australia, he said, a damaged luggage would be compensated on the spot.

“There is a store for passengers to select luggage as compensations.”

A frequent traveller, Angy Ng, said it was common sense not to check in expensive items such as iPad with the luggage.

“If it is not missing, it could be damaged due to mishandling as it is very fragile,” said Ng.