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Laptop Travel Damage - Who's at Fault?
Denagoth asks: "Due to increased security measures, airport personnel are now directly handling everyone's laptop, PDA, and other electronic gizmos. Who is at fault when (not if - but I've been lucky) an airport employee drops, damages, (or even worse) loses one of these devices? Has anyone had any experience in this area and are there any legal precedents to fall back on?"
Ask for a receipt _each_ time someone touches your valuables, computer or otherwise. Or ask that the manager oversee the process. Print up a bunch of "this laptop was in working order when handed to _________________ on the ____________ date". Initials and a date would probably help some. They are inconviencing you in the name of security. You should be able to protect your security as well.
Pair up in threes. - Yogi Berra
They are probably liable. If you put the machine into their hands, there is essentially a bailment. They agree to take reasonable care and not damage your stuff.
Now, there are probably all sorts of signs and regulations that disavow their responsibility. This is bullshit. Chances are that even a complete laptop replacement will fall under the statute of limitations on small claims where you are. A suit filed there, against the company, the airline, the employee (all at the same time. Important) should be taken care of quickly. If it even gets that far.
If something happens, I suggest asking to speak to a manager, and asking what kind of 'incident report form' they have to fill out.
You are, of course, having your computer shit hand checked, not run through the x-ray, right? If you put stuff on the x-ray belt, you're going to be liable, most likely. Yet another reason to request a hand check in the unlikely chance you don't get one.
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
I just called our insurance agent today regarding this - schedule laptops with a minimal deductible. The rate for us was about $.75 / $100 value / year, covering loss, theft, or basically anything else that removes my ability to make use of it. This is by adding it to my folk's current homeowner's insurance plan.
You'll need the standard stuff - receipts, serial numbers, and all that jazz.
I'm flying tomorrow (today), and I am truly not looking forward to going through security with both my powerbook and two hard drives as well.
... that's all i wrote...
I travel *a lot* and no one ever touches my stuff. I put it into the machine and I pick it up on the other side. If I get pulled aside, I'm the one that is asked to turn on devices and prove that they are not explosive devices. Which, of course, doesn't mean that if I can make it boot, I can't make it explode. This is also true for Europe, though I find this isn't always the case in Japan for what its worth.