Touring - My bike is 'missing'

I got back yesterday from Gatwick airport. I didn't like the looks of the two guys handling over-sized luggage, but I gave them my bike anyway. I saw it disappear along a conveyor belt. When I arrived in Toronto, I was told it was not on board the plane. This was a non-stop flight.

I've told the airline staff that it was stolen. They say it is 'missing'.

What do I do now?

Do you have homeowner's or renter's coverage? Most policies will cover your personal property anywhere in the world. The only downside is the deductible.

What did the airline representative tell you? Will they be "looking" for your bike? Did they give you any kind of time frame?

Did you fill out all the airline paperwork? I had the same thing happen, and miraculously the bike reappeared a week later.

It would not be the first time something like this happened at Gatwick airport:

"More luggage thieves - this time five security workers at London's Gatwick airport have been charged after some £50,000 worth of items went missing in March."

Source: The Travel Insider, Friday 9 July 2004

http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2004/email0709.htm

Have you reported the "incident" to Gatwick security, the London police, etc. How about Fleet Street? If your bicycle is indeed "missing," it sounds like there may be a ring of thieves operating at the airport.

Gatwick Information Desk +44 (0)870 000 2468
Gatwick Police +44 (0)845 607 0999

Take a deep breath and wait a few days. It happens all the time. In fact it happened to me this summer. Twice. The bikes showed up both times.

If it doesn't turn up in a few call and ask how to get some cash for your bike. You'll need to go to an LBS to get an estimate of the cost of the bike. the airlines usually are pretty good about paying up.

Thanks for the advice guys!!
I got a call today from the airline. They have found the bike and I should get it back within a day or two.

I am greatly relieved. This bike means the world to me.

Thanks for the advice guys!!
I got a call today from the airline. They have found the bike and I should get it back within a day or two.

I am greatly relieved. This bike means the world to me.

Good stuff. Glad to hear it. :)

I'm at Gatwick, and I see these two guys loading my bike who look like Che...

The airlines are a bunch of a-holes. They may take your luggage but put it on any flight bound to the same destination as you when the plane is full. I was going to comment to that effect yesterday, but I forgot.

If you do ship your bike with you when you fly, tell them that your luggage must go with your flight, and don't accept anything less. If they tell me they can't guarantee my luggage for the flight I'm on, I don't board either until I get the confirmation from the flight attendants that my bike was packed on the plane. Before I started doing this, I had a time where the airline lost my expensive folding bike, complete with the luggage/trailer. I nearly lost it with all the following up and their lying to me as to where the bike was. I will never fly United again- not under any circumstances. May they rot in hell!

Koffee

I'm glad we are keeping our humour!

I was awakened around 1:00am this morning by a sharp rapping on my outer door. It was a gentleman from the airline who had my bike in his van. I helped him carry it in.

There is a bit of damage, but what concerns me most is that the luggage sticker I had attached had been ripped off, tearing the plastic cover. Also the bike had been taken out of the bag and the tires had been re-inflated.

It makes me think that the bike was destined to be taken out of the airport. Perhaps it never happened because I started yelling as soon as it did not arrive on time. They said it was missing, I said it was stolen. Boy, am I glad they were right. I don't think I would have such an outcome if I had done as the airline suggested and just wait. I was calling the airline and asking them to call the police, I was faxing them with details and emailing them with pictures.

Sadly all the airlines have to use the baggage staff provided by the airport authority, so it could happen no matter which airline you are using. Of all the times I've flown with a bike, this is the first time I've had trouble like this.

I bet what happened is that some bozo tore off the tags, and the bike was listed as a found item, and some dumb employee thought they could score a new bike and even inflated the tires and planned on walking with it when they got caught.

I'd follow through and call the police, then briing the bike in for an estimate to get it fixed and send them a bill and ask them to pay it.

I'm glad you got your bike back, though. Which airline was it? I need to avoid them.

Koffee

Get the airlines to pay for the damage. I have a frame beat up by an Airline. In the end they paid for a new frame. Get detailed estimates from your LBS as to the cost and extent of any damages.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and the polite but firm owner of a damaged bike gets the cash. Good luck.