Airline or airport: Who is responsible for baggage tampering?
“We are in South Africa so we must be alive to the risk," says William David Travel CEO Carmen David.
Picture: katyveldhorst from Pixabay
Clement Manyathela speaks to Carmen David, CEO of William David Travel.
Listen below.
Imagine arriving at your holiday destination only to find your luggage was tampered with somewhere along your travel journey.
Luggage tampering includes anything from broken zippers to missing items and even finding strange items in your luggage.
While the people who generally do the deeds are ground staff (airport), it is the airline’s responsibility.
“It is the airline's responsibility to ensure that your luggage is returned to you in a manner that is fitting and that has not been tampered with.”
– Carmen David, CEO – William David Travel
Your first port of call should be the information or security desk near the airport’s baggage collection area.
“It is important for you to complain as if this is actually a problem. You have to do it on-site and on the day. I think what we often forget is that as much as this is a problem for us, it is an individual problem. An airline or ground company (airport) has hundreds of you complaining on any given day… Make them understand this is a matter of urgency.”
– Carmen David, CEO – William David Travel
If you only discovered your luggage was tampered with once you have left, document everything and report it immediately to your travel agent or the airline.
David recommends taking the necessary steps to ensure your luggage is secure to give yourself peace of mind.
- Use TSA-approved locks
- Always consider hardshell luggage, particularly if you're travelling internationally
- Consider wrapping your luggage
- Put your valuables in your hand luggage
“... we must be alive to the risk of travelling in and out of South Africa... being preventative in these cases will save you in the long run.”
– Carmen David, CEO – William David Travel
“I do think pre-Covid the situation was much worse, especially at OR Tambo, but ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) has gotten really good at ensuring that this is down to a minimum.”
– Carmen David, CEO – William David Travel
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.