MY GPS WAS STOLEN FROM MY CHECKED BAG WITH AMERICAN AIRLINES

Just wondering why you couldn't buy a replacement GPS in Seattle? I
know it's money you hadn't counted on spending, but wouldn't it have
been worth it if you felt you needed one?

Sorry, but your letter made me laugh out loud. Perhaps it's a sign of
my age - I did grow up long before the age of GPS - but, frankly, the
idea of relying solely upon a GPS for directions is silly. I travel a
great deal, primarily in North America. I do have a GPS, but I also
have maps and, wonders of wonders, a working knowledge of how to read
one. When I receive an assignment that will take me into a new area, I
either order a map from AAA or contact the tourist agency of that
state or community. If the trip is sudden, not giving enough time to
get the map prior to leaving, my first stop is the nearest tourist
agency, library or, in some cases, rental car booth. If all else
fails, I find a REAL bookstore (generally not a drug store/bookstore
or convience store) and buy a map. I then use the map in conjunction
with the GPS and, for the most part, I have no problem finding my way.
BTW: I never rely solely on the GPS and if the GPS tells me to take a
right turn and the street is one way (not to the right!) I ignore the
GPS. I am constantly amazed at the stories of drivers who end up in
accidents due to following what the GPS advises. If your GPS advises
turning to the right and there is a lake on your right...perhaps you
should ignore the GPS!

The point about not packing the GPS is well advised. I never pack
anything that I must have immediately at my destination. It seems
common sense that if you are relying upon having a working GPS once
you land at the airport, that you keep the tool in your carry on
luggage. Finally, in all likelihood, it was not American Airlines that
lost your GPS, but rather the TSA. File a complaint and get on with
your life.

Why would you check a valuable item. Put it in a carry-on and turn it
off. The only one who's going to touch the carry-on is...you. At least
a dozen other people will come in contact with any bags you check, and
some people are betting you'll leave something expensive where they
can take it.

This is just irresponsibility on your part. You made the item
available, and you trusted people you've never met to take care of it.

This article is not about a GPS but the concept is the same:

http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-the-tsa-coming-for-your-ipad/

I have to say some of the comments are pretty funny. Someone said "buy
a map". I went to 3 different convenice stores today and could not
find a city map in any of them. All were good sized stores right on
the highway where you would expect to find a road map. As for asking
for dirrections....we did that once in Dallas and half the people
didnt even know where we were talking about and the ones who did
either had no idea how to get there or were so bad at giving
directions that we were better off just driving around and hoping we
found it. I do agree that we as a nation rely to much on technology
but it has become expected. I never thought I would need or want a GPS
until I went to a play in Austin and used it when we got lost. When
you miss your turn and are trying to figure out how to get back to
where you need to be and dont have a lot of time to waste, GPS is the
best thing ever invented. Mapquest cant change the dirrections for you
after you miss your turn. Also, Ive never been sent the wrong way by a
GPS, I have however had a brand new map that didnt have new streets
listed on it and didnt tell you where the construction was going on.
Ive also gotten wrong directions from Mapquest almost every time I use
it.

Why the GPS wasn't in your carryon.

Not to throw kerosene on the fire and it still shouldn't have come up
missing for ANY reason, but if that were me, I'd want to have that
with me at all times 1) because its a somewhat valuable piece of
electronic equipment and 2) because you won't have to go digging for
it when you go to pick up your rental or whatever you'll be driving.

I don't know what AA's policies are regarding missing property, but I
hope they handle it.

Ya know before GPS...there were *gasp* Maps! I have GPS but I also
own a map. I am not excusing the fact that your gps is
missing/lost/stolen but the fact that put it in checked luggage when
most people know NOT to put anything in a checked bag that you really
want to see again. Valuables belong in your carryon. I think you
have learned a couple of lessons here...buy a map and put all valuable
items in a carryon when you travel.

this is why i never put anything valuable in my checked luggage

All airlines have signs advising you not to pack electronics or
valuables in your checked luggage as they will not be responsible for
them if they are lost or stolen. It is not only airline employees who
have access to your baggage, the TSA does also.

A map can be useless without a compass. Next you criticizing her
because she didn't use the stars in the sky to navigate her way
through the city.

Your right - they are useless. Why without a GPS, people would just be
wandering the streets completely lost without a clue. I am surprised
the human race made it this far without this wonderous technology. I
guess that's why until 5 or so years ago people were completely out of
luck if they didn't know where they were.

Oh. Wait,

TAKE SOME INITIATIVE AND ASK SOMEONE!!

Buy a map - it's what, $5? Then ask someone to assist.

But we can't do that. I mean ACTUALLY interact with other people face
to face? NAH! Why not hide behind our technology instead.

GPS is NOT the only solution. We all got along just fine without it
before and many of us still do get around without it and are no worse
off. In fact, it feels nice to not be tethered to technology and to
know that I have the ability to read and understand maps and
directions without requiring an expensive piece of plastic and wires
to spoon feed me my every step.

the street name from the signs on every corner, then find the
corresponding streets on the map. You can even do it during the day,
when no stars are visible.
Other than that, I pretty much agree with you.

Yes, the other posetr is very likely on the real culprit. TSA is
known to steal items, and routinely trashes bags upon inspecting them.
My wife travels frequently and, in the last year, they have opened
liquids and makeup containers and not put the tops back on securely,
just throwing them back in the bag. She has pulled out her business
suits and found them covered in hair and dirt from where they took
them out of the bag and threw them on the floor, then stuffed them
back in the bag.

American is definitely not the greatest airline, but if you have
theft/damage problems, it's almost certainly TSA that is to blame.
BTW, every time something happens, my wife writes a letter of
complaint to TSA, and with over 20 letters over four years, has never
even received the courtesy of a response, let alone any compensation
for the damage they cause.

It is possible that it was not an American Airlines employee that
stole your GPS. There have been stories in the news of TSA agents
stealing electronics out of luggage and selling them on EBAY. I keep
all my electronics in my carry-on bag.