I got my camera stolen from my checked suitcase.. is there any way to be reimbursed

I got my camera stolen from my checked suitcase.. is there any way to be reimbursed?
A few weeks ago I traveled from Los angeles to Virginia for my brother's graduation from college. On my way there I got my camera stolen from my checked suitcase on a US Airways flight. I have since been trying to get my money/or camera back but have been unsuccessful. Apparently they are not liable. I am so angry and have written many letters in hope of fixing the situation but no such luck. The camera was checked in my bag due to the fact I was afraid the existing pics would be corrupt by going through the walk-through xray machine. Have any of you dealt with this before? Apparently they are not laible for theft of goods. I will never fly with them again and plan on telling everyone I know never to do the same.Their customer service reps have been rude and basically looked at me like an idiot for checking a six hundred dollar digital camera.
Air Travel - 4 Answers
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1 :
My wife and I had a similar occurrence on a flight from Miami to Chicago. We lost a portable DVD player. Our airline was AirTran and they were as useless as you experienced. Our luggage was delayed due to an inspection in Miami (probably because of the electronics in it). It was delivered to our house the day after out arrival. AirTran denied any responsibility, so I filed a formal claim with the TSA because of their inspection (a good deal of paperwork). That also was denied. Luckily, my credit card company reimbursed me through the insurance program associated with our card.
2 :
The airline is not responsible for ANYTHING stolen from your checked luggage. They ALWAYS tell you not to pack valuables in the checked luggage. You need to have them with you. So there is no point in trying, you will not be able to get anything from them even if you sue them... They are responsible, however, if your cheked lugagge gets lost completely. Then you get a funny amount of money...
3 :
Hello, I am so sorry this happened to you. I never check anything of value in my luggage. I have heard other horror stories of things, including expensive clothing, being stolen. The airlines won't take responsibility because you cannot prove that it was in your bag to begin with. Just as an FYI, the x-ray machine that scans checked bags is a lot stronger than the ones we must walk thru. Checking any exposed film or memory cards will wipe them clean. Always take film and memory cards (and cameras) on the plane in your carry-on luggage. Donna
4 :
All airlines are not liable if you checked in anything valuable such as camera, jewellery,laptop etc in your suitcase. It is written clearly in their conditions and carriage contract which you can check in their website. Also, you cannot proof that you have the items in there in the first place. If you have brought insurance, maybe you have a better chance of recovering some money from them, but I am not sure. So don't blame the airlines, but yourself. Also, it will probably make you look like an idiot if you go bad-mouthing the airlines.. Sorry if you don't like the answer but it is the truth. Just think, if airlines payout to your case, all travellers will start claiming against airlines that they have gold bars in their check-in baggages from now on..and we have more bankrupt airlines in line