Luggage lost on American Airlines flight to Burbank found in homeless encampment 

I hope she sues the crap out of them. What a low-rent airline.

Leaving luggage in the open unrestricted areas and on the curbside of the airport terminal is outrageous. How many hundreds of passengers have been violated. This irresponsibility deserves a class action lawsuit.

You're telling me that we have to go through strict TSA security checks before we can board a flight, but a company such as American Airlines can just put our bags outside with our belongings in them when the flight is delayed, allowing anyone to walk by and claim them without any security check being done to make sure the bag goes to the correct owner? That is a huge security risk, as a person could come by and replace one of those bags with their own bags that could contain explosive devices. We can't leave our bags alone in any part of the airport.

They clearly made a conscious choice to dump everyone's belongings at that location. Figuring they could shrug it off as lost. Here, have a free flight on us.🤬

Those air tags are a game changer

So, the airline lied boldly to her face and are disgusting, glad she posted! This is happening way too much,

Is not about the compension, it's about responsibility and trust. American Airline has lost all its trust that customers placed on them. They actually belittle the passenger, treating her like a beggar and thought a little compension would brush her away. What a shame.

Set outside the terminal? Wtf! You go through all that security and your personal item are basically given away.

The homeless didn't took them; airline employees did. They grabbed the luggages from the airport, went through them looking for valuables, dump it at some curb so it cannot be traced back to someone's home. They didn't leave the luggages at the airport because if the luggages are not missing but valuables are, there will be internal investigation to find the thief. If the whole luggage is missing then "it's probably some thief from the outside that grabbed it from the belt / curb"

The reckless handling of luggage could also become a homeland security issue.

American Airlines treated me and my luggage like garbage 7 years ago and it was the last time I'll ever give them a dime. It's not a surprise they treat all customer bags like garbage too. Screw them.

It is so easy to pickup anyone’s baggage at any airport. They lost 2.8 million baggages in 2019. 2.8 million! Insane.

I’ve always been so confused why US airports have so many police officers but no airport staff standing there to check bags belong to each person like airports abroad

Stricter regulations need to be enforced. Automatic compensation for lost luggage. The more they have to pay out the better the service.

The PROBLEM is, EVERY airport in the US allows ANYONE to walk up to a carousel and pick up baggage. Be it belonging to you OR NOT. It is STRICTLY an honor system and we all know that not everyone has honor in their hearts! This is NOT right. Why can't there be security there manning properties from passengers. ONLY a matching ticket for the correct flight should be allowed to exit the baggage claim area with luggage. WHAT will it take to change this into law for EVERY airport?!

My question is why do we even get a Baggage claim ticket to verify it is our bags. When They are not enforcing the rule.

Don’t accept that measly $1,700 from a corporation. Sue the heck out of American Airline and possibly other airlines that may be doing the same thing. Private property.

This is why I’m extremely reluctant to check bags

I biggest concern is always whether I will receive my luggage when I reach my final destination.

Good she’s standing up for herself! And not letting go like other dozens of victims whose bags also ended up on the street but who didn’t assert their rights

When I leave COSTCO there are always Two theft prevention agents at the exit to double check that everything in my shopping cart matches my sales receipt. Why the heck are airports not still staffing an exit to verify that the baggage you just pulled off the carousel matches your baggage claim receipt tags???

They’ll write up the worker that was supposed to deliver it and the execs will give themselves a raise. That’s how this will be dealt with. They won’t learn from it and try to prevent it from happening again

$1700 is no where near enough

I man the real story here is why the carrier was pretending the were delivering her bag... probably preparing to pin a not-at-home on her, and then claim she forfeited the luggage, so they can hide the loss. Why is this story focusing on the homeless instead?

Europe does not allow the public in baggage claim! Close off carousels to the public and most bag thefts will stop.

I remember when my brother told the check-in person, at the airlines, I want this suitcase going here and this suitcase to go here. She said we can't do that sir they are both going to the same place. My brother told her I don't know why not, you did it before.

Seems like the courier they hired to deliver these baggage dumped them. That's my bet.

An eye opening story that I cannot believe took so long to get told. This has been happening for years. Yet one woman with grit wanted answers. Come on people. Step up when it's not right!

You should ask for a minimum of 10 grand, You are a shining example of true journalism, thank you for your story, including channel 5.

They need to scan the bags when people are leaving and match them to their baggage claim tickets. Many years ago they did use to check peoples claim tickets against their luggage, but the airlines did away with that many years ago. They need to reimplement this system with scanners. The whole stolen, lost luggage thing has gotten out of hand!!

Years ago the baggage area had security that checked the luggage tags against the tags on your boarding pass. I was surprised when for the first time in over a decade i check in my luggage and discovered that this was no longer the case..at MOST OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS. Then why even give me luggage claim tags?

Golden rule is don't check anything highly valued. You're better off missing a flight or just shipping it with insurance.

Luggage: TSA at the front end, help your self at the back end. Homeless individuals, thank you American Airlines!!!

Truly...if a terrorist wanted maximum damage/kills, they would do it in the baggage claim area...where multiple flights and passengers converge into an unruly and impatient crowd. Why isn't security in place for the whole airport? This isn't an airline issue...it's Homeland Security.

It's a no-brainer! Airport workers are doing this!

Airport Security: Please do not leave your luggage unattended. Airlines: We will leave your luggage unattended for you.

oh we're all certain Los Angeles area police will be eager to get right on this and serve the community.

AA makes my blood boil when they spend 30 min berating us at the gate for the size of our carry-ons and constantly threaten to “gate check” all carry-on bags of those unlucky souls in the last boarding groups. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a very full flight and overhead space is severely limited.” Then you board, and there’s tons of room up there.😡 Last time this happened, I realized it is a form of gaslighting. Like, “Shame on you peasants for having carry-ons” when it’s actually THEIR fault we feel the need to stuff everything in our carry-ons!!!

This type of crap shouldn't be happening especially in the US...No freakin excuses!!!

I heard that in the US they purposely take people's luggage to sell it. Someone had their airtag showing in some back rooms at the airport but the staff refused to look for it.

That’s really fast for an airline to offer compensation. I expect she’s uncovered something huge and they’re trying to shut it up quickly. Do not accept the settlement. Take them to court.

I pray that Justice be done. God bless everyone.

So the news in Florida recently reported a woman finding her stolen bag in a airport worker’s house, now this, it begs the question as to what new law or system requirements these politicians or corporations wants to come up with in order to make money or violate our privacy even more. Extra airport tax?

Thank you for covering this, great journalism! Please keep updating on this story, how is AA going to respond?? I wish this woman every success and thank her for sharing her experience, this is insane.

Boycott American Airlines for terrible service!!

Not surprised at all. Went through this airport last year in October with my electric wheelchair. And they just left my electric wheelchair off in a corner, unmanned and unattended, (outside! Where anyone could grab it and take off) while we were standing there freaking out trying to find it. We kept asking people that work there where it was, and nobody knew what we were even talking about. It took us pulling up the AirTag on it to finally find it.

I always hated the excuse of big businesses "we are so big, so complex, and have so many people, we cant possibly be liable for everything". And they get away losing people's property, some to hugely detrimental effects to people's lives. I have to be responsible for little things the government wants from, costly taxes, and they will rain hell on me if i dont do something the expert me to. To combat the mismanagement of of customers' property, fine them severely. Over night, people lost property would be a thing of the past.

100% someone working for the airline is up to this.

Attorney should file as a class action lawsuit

Great job Lady! Good report!

It may be just anecdotal but just last week at ATLANTA ATL airport Delta funneled arrivals and made sure the bag tags matched the travelers upon exit. It's the first time that's happened in Atlanta to me.

This is absolutely disgusting. 😫

"I don't put this on the homeless people" she says. While I do agree that AA is ultimately responsible for the way they handled the bags, it still doesn't mean anyone could just snag a bag from the airport. This is wrong on so many levels, our general public safety has gone downhill recently, and many factors come into play. Airport security, storage, surveillance. All those have to have failed if any bag is ended up in the hands of a homeless person. Baggage theft is a federal crime, these cases should be escalated to federal level.

American Airlines needs to be held accountable and great job to this lady for exposing this!! I def will not be flying without airtags!!

It’s been carry-ons only for me for decades now and I’m never going back to checking a bag.

That’s insane. It just goes to show the complete lack of respect American Airlines has for the traveling public. They will nickel and dime you for everything and yet your bags can show up at a homeless encampment. They need to go out of business!

I remember when you had to show your ticket to pick up you luggage at the carousel. The area was closed off and a customer went through a checkpoint to leave with your checked luggage. Ticket and luggage tag issued by the airline had to match. Granted I am old, but not that old.

I appreciate what she's doing!!

This is common to all carriers. Apparently no carriers have ANY idea how to track luggage. As a rule, if they tell you where they think the bags are, then it's safe to assume they are wrong AND lying.

Sounds like someone on the inside is selling luggage since there are so many lost.

shuttle driver sold it for drugs

Gee, AA thinks luggage is just a commodity for cash revenue, not personal belongings, something they have no liability for. Somehow, this will be the customer’s fault in their minds. “We’re sorry, we are experiencing heavier than usual luggage volume at this time”

In Europe, the luggage comes out inside the secure area where only travelers whom are screened, is allowed.

American Airlines need to shut down!!

Waiting til this hits the front page of national news tomorrow. This is a pretty huge scandal from AA

Oh no hon, you need to sue them. That is unacceptable.

This same garbage happens with Delta as well. They never control their luggage in baggage claim. Considering some of their employees were busted for smuggling, it’s not surprising

If you’re going to be so careless with your customers belongings , THEN WHY CHARGE SO MUCH FOR LUGGAGE FEE!

American outsources the delivery process. The delivery services don’t care.

I don’t know why I started laughing just by reading the headline

Anyone can walk in and take luggage from a carousel

In Mexico the luggage claim is closed off to the public and before you leave with your luggage security matches your ticket with boarding pass. Not sure if this is policy is done in every Mexican airport. But what a great idea ...

Outrage! This is disgusting! AA has no concern over protecting property that is given to them to protect.

Placing an entire aircraft’s baggage OUTSIDE before anything is even claimed is absolutely wild. Broken process.

I see homeless roam LAX baggage claim. Wandering around with carts and garbage. No one even escorts them out. I always rush to get my luggage. lol

*GOOD ON YOU for tracking, and fighting back! There were a few short years where they used Costco door guards for luggage, but why not anymore, I don’t know. I ALWAYS use AirTags in my stuff!*. Footnote: I grew up near Hollywood and Western. Moved out of LA 45 years ago. That area has become such a dump. 💩*

This is why I always pack light and only take a carry on these days.

It’s crazy how expensive it is to fly and you can’t even trust where your items are

Sounds like an inside job. Baggage handler with sticky fingers and a side hustle?

There’s a law that claims the airline is only liable up to ~$3k.

The delivery service dumped the luggage never intended to be returned

Good for her! We are loosing grip in this country like never before. This country is a mess with all immoral movements , messed up schools and teachers, political professors in universities, rising food prices, homelessness, economy collapse , etc… It’s not just America airline’s bad work, it’s everywhere including LAX , that’s why this is bigger problems we are facing …

Unbelievable story. Shame on American Airlines for being so irresponsible with passengers luggage.🥴

Ridiculous. Baggage claim should be in a secure area and not near the airport exit where anyone can just walk in and walk out. Airports need to change this.

Good for her that’s not right

This is why i rent a car. Never flown and stories like this make me NEVER WANT TO FLY. $1700 is like a slap in the face. I hope she shuts the airline down.

I totally believe it ❤

I was coming back to DIA from Indiana on AA, waited for my luggage for an hour, and it never came. Asking at the AA office they said it was all off the plane repeatedly after all the luggage was out. Finally, I asked for the claim form and the bag was right there in the office like I never asked anything to the exact same human being several times. They said they paged us multiple times and shouted into the terminal (we were in front of their office the entire time) and said they were about "to throw it out" after 1...single...solitary...hour after the flight landed. Half a dozen people never heard a thing. The flight crew was great but the baggage folks need a lot of help. I don't know if it is a morale problem, a pay problem, or what but I haven't flown on them since. What was in the bag was worth far more than any price difference between tickets over several years. Not that the stuff was expensive...just that their prices are in line with everyone else that has much better service.

Burbank airport has literally no security when it comes to the baggage claim. The airport is built for a time when crime wasn’t taken lightly, like when people had integrity and morals. I fly to Burbank airport through southwest because it’s easier for my mom than having to go to LAX which is apparently challenging for her. I haven’t had my flight canceled on me yet and now I am concerned to think that this could happen to me. This isn’t just a problem for American Airlines, but should be for Burbank Airport as well.

This is clown world

There needs to be criminal charges for this

40 years ago, there were security agents at the baggage carousels and you had to show a claim ticket to get the bags. Even the areas around the carousels were cordoned off to limit access. Airlines trying to save $ or increase profits by reducing staff started LONG ago.

Looks like stealing luggage has become a cottage industry.

On the same day, my daughter was flying from Austin (stop over in Dallas) to Burbank and American Airlines cancelled her flight as well. She was able to get on a flight the next day, but to LAX instead of Burbank and she was told by the ticket agent that her luggage would be on the same flight as her new flight. My daughter asked the ticket agent if he was certain about her luggage being with her on her new flight and he assured her and told her that he already arranged for her luggage to be with her. When she arrived at LAX, her luggage did not appear, so she went to the baggage claim office and put in a lost luggage claim. They found it two days later at the Burbank airport and luckily they delivered it to where she was staying. After watching this story, I realized how lucky she was to get her suitcase with all of her belongings. Sadly, I'm sure a lot of people are having to deal with this nightmare.

Amazing that the baggage pickup areas are “out in the open” - should require a boarding pass to get to the luggage retrieval area.

I only travel with carry on and backpack. I wouldn’t trust any airline with my luggage.

Those bags are in their custody and they should be made to be liable for it

Homeless live at the airport so it’s not really hard to believe they wouldn’t swipe your stuff.

I just flew from VA to BUR last week! BUR seemed like such a antiquated airport and AA is terrible. Luckily, I flew Delta but I hid an AirTag in my bag anyway.

Staff selling it. And good on you girl get that money. 1700 get the hell out of here. I’m getting my shake down.