A Vancouver criminal lawyer is warning travellers of the perils of flying after he says his checked baggage was ransacked and items worth more than $15,000 were allegedly taken or lost on a recent Sunwing flight.
David Karp and his fiancé Jagpal Bhambra flew home from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico two weeks ago and when they started unpacking noticed a number of valuable designer items missing from their luggage — a purse, two watches and a pair of sunglasses.
“I feel violated,” Bhambra told Global News.
“I’ve entrusted my items to the airline and between the items being taken from us at customer service to coming home, it’s disappointing to know someone is going through it and picking out what they want or losing our items.”
The couple contacted Sunwing and said so far the airline has not been helpful.
“They’re simply passing the buck,” Karp said. “Every time we call, we get pushed to another department.”
In a statement, Sunwing said they are conducting a full investigation regarding the incident.
“These types of incidents are rare,” said Sunwing vice-president of marketing, Janine Chapman.
“It is recommended that high-value items and medical supplies are transferred to cabin baggage prior to departure.”
It’s something the couple admits they did not consider because they are “paying top dollar for a flight” and baggage security is an expectation.
“When you entrust a bag at the airport, you have an expectation that the same items are going arrive at your destination,” Karp said.
“In retrospect, yes, perhaps we could have carried some of these things on; which we’re going to do going forward now. But it’s very disappointing to know that a) this would happen and b) the response we’ve got; which is really no response. “
According to travel consultant Claire Newell, airlines have a very limited responsibility when it comes to lost or stolen items and the majority of them have a very strict policy on the maximum amount. In most cases, Newell said, it’s $1,000.
~ with files from Rumina Daya
Comments