If it was on American Eagle with an ATR 42 or 52 (or even 72...) most of the time there is not enough space for "carry on" and since there is no 1st class or what soever, most of the time people are asked to put their "Carry on" in cargo at the last minut. They don't have the choice, and I guess if you don't want to put it on below, they have no obligation to take it aboard... so then it is up to the passnger to stay grounded with his carry on or board the plane with his carry on below.
I still think that in the case of Tulle, like Denis said, it is possible to do a follow up with the company, foreign country or not, since the staff was assigned to this particular flight... they must have been very quick to act, but in any case, I am amazed that nobody even notice anything at that time...

Kind Regards,
Philippe



[www.facebook.com]

we did submit paper work when we got home and was sent a loss form to fill out, but, didn't hear anything back after we sent it in and then tried to call the airline and got the run around...said they never got the paperwork, etc. we just got sick of the whole situation and ate the loss.
it was an american eagle flight on a very small plane (no first class!!). this was the first time we were asked to put carry on below. they know people carry valuables on board and figured they could "score" on the bag. no one saw because they were probably all in on it. there were only a couple of guys down there handling the bags.

Sorry i misunderstood the poster ..i would have worried also

Hey Tulle,

I'm sorry but I don't brand the SXM handlers as thieves. I know a number of these guys from many years of their carefully stowing my camera bag in the hull of the ATR, Twin Otter or Islander. This is the first occurence I have heard of.

Some of these guys know I have a lot of photo equipment and I ask them to stow it carefully and they do.,.,.I have never seen them throw my bag up to the compartment...they pass it.

There are not a lot of complaints about lost luggage or other incidents in SXM. There are MANY from the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

I am not doubting your loss or story but can't stand aside and see the whole crew held up to the flame of mistrust.

The Eagle ATR has small overhead bins and limited storage. Usually the only onboard storage is packed with the Flight Crew's bags and duty free purchases.

BIGDEN

bigden, i wasn't suggesting that the WHOLE crew of amer eagle-st martin were thieves. i never said that. i'm sure that they are great guys, but it only takes one or two to do it. i'm sure they take great care of your camera equipment because they know you. all i know is that our stuff was gone and they only time it was out of our sight was when it was in the hands of the airline.
BTW, we did not go to the DRep or haiti so it did not happen there!!

ok i'm done with re-hashing this, it happened 2 years ago and we have moved on!! just brought it up so others could be aware.

tulle.....THANK YOU for bringing it up. Being forewarned is being armed.


Contessa