Apple Airtags

[BD1959]

Hi All,

Apologies if this is being discussed elsewhere, I've scanned widely and very surprisingly can't find a thread ...

As an apple-phile I'm pondering buying some airtags and there seem to be some OK reviews on the effectiveness of these showing the location of luggage - with the one highlighted exception of when an airtag is moving through the conveyor system.

The one scenario I've seen discussed however is when the airtag is airborne (which is could well be if its been misdirected onto a transpac, for example). In this scenario would the airtag ping an iphone with enabled bluetooth connected the the aircraft's wifi and provide the location? Or are these devices only ever going to work if fairly stationary in a lost luggage facility for example?

On a more general note, any examples of where the airtag has proven invaluable - either aviation or non-aviation related? My daughter's beagle cross is an accomplished Houdini and I was contemplating purchasing four and donating one to the Lost Dog's housekeeper!!

Regards,

BD

 

[jb747]

I have ten of them in use, plus a couple of spares. My wife has a bunch too.

We have them in anything that's attractive or could be misplaced (i.e. camera bags, backpacks, wallet, purse) as well as attached to our many sets of keys. And given the price of a replacement set of electronic car keys, they're very cheap insurance. They've helped me find my keys at home quite a few times...it's amazing where I put them sometimes.

I doubt that they'd work at all in the scenario you describe airborne though.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

A related article

This man is trolling his airline with PowerPoint presentations to find his missing bag | CNN

An Apple Airtag in a missing bag lost by an airline helped Elliot Sharod track his property down -- even though he hasn't yet been reunited with it.

edition.cnn.com

 

[offshore171]

There's some fun youtube videos from people who have posted AirTags to places like North Korea, Antarctica etc.

 

[dylarr]

AirTags were useful a couple of weeks ago when Qantas was having a meltdown. Captain made an announcement that they were waiting for some more bags so I opened the Find My app and saw mine over the other side of the terminal well away from the gate I was departing from. It stayed there until we took off so I knew they hadn't been loaded before we even departed. As soon as we landed, I went straight to baggage services - "I know the bags haven't started coming out yet, but I have an AirTag on my bag and it's still showing in Sydney". Handed over my baggage receipt and a quick check confirmed this was able to create a report and leave before all the other passengers realised and without having to stand around the carousel waiting for nothing.

Also was able to keep tabs on it over the next couple of days — instead of wondering if it had been loaded on a flight I could see it sitting in the same spot until it moved over to another side of the airport and then a bit over an hour later finally showed up at my destination airport.

They work really well because the Find My network is so expansive with so many iPhones out in the wild.

 

[dylarr]

Also in addition to my above post, I can recommend these AirTag holders if you wish to place on your luggage externally:

Belkin Secure Holder with Wire Cable for AirTag - White

The Belkin Secure Holder with Wire Cable features added layers of security that ensure your AirTag is always protected. Buy online now at apple.com.

www.apple.com

They attach very securely with a metal cable and you need to use an allen key (included) to remove it. They are a lot more durable than some of the other AirTag holders I've seen.

 

[Pushka]

So I read a FB post of someone onboard a flight to US from Europe where they had to offload luggage due to people not boarding. She said she could see their luggage had remained onboard edit - and not offloaded by mistake. . Are these things really that useful in ensuring the location of luggage? Any risks?

 

[VPS]

So I read a FB post of someone onboard a flight to US from Europe where they had to offload luggage due to people not boarding. She said she could see their luggage had remained onboard. Are these things really that useful in ensuring the location of luggage? Any risks?

How would she know if someone else's luggage was still there unless she had access to their airtags (or are you saying it was the person who thought their luggage was offloaded and it wasn't)

 

[Pushka]

How would she know if someone else's luggage was still there unless she had access to their airtags (or are you saying it was the person who thought their luggage was offloaded and it wasn't)

No she was checking her own wasn't offloaded by mistake. I'll amend original post.

 

[VPS]

No she was checking her own wasn't offloaded by mistake. I'll amend original post.

that makes sense. I have seen many posts with people who found them useful. I'm going to get some before I travel again

This man is trolling his airline with PowerPoint presentations to find his missing bag | CNN

An Apple Airtag in a missing bag lost by an airline helped Elliot Sharod track his property down -- even though he hasn't yet been reunited with it.

edition.cnn.com

 

[Pushka]

that makes sense. I have seen many posts with people who found them useful. I'm going to get some before I travel again

This man is trolling his airline with PowerPoint presentations to find his missing bag | CNN

An Apple Airtag in a missing bag lost by an airline helped Elliot Sharod track his property down -- even though he hasn't yet been reunited with it.

edition.cnn.com

Well if you are then so am I. Done.

 

[blackcat20]

I've been thinking about getting them as well. The only downside being no iPhone, only iPads.

 

[RooFlyer]

that makes sense. I have seen many posts with people who found them useful. I'm going to get some before I travel again

This man is trolling his airline with PowerPoint presentations to find his missing bag | CNN

An Apple Airtag in a missing bag lost by an airline helped Elliot Sharod track his property down -- even though he hasn't yet been reunited with it.

edition.cnn.com

Well if you are then so am I. Done.

Just ordered 4 last night . Key chain things ship immediately, the tags themselves in '2-3' weeks, so maybe a month delivery.

 

[Pushka]

Just ordered 4 last night . Key chain things ship immediately, the tags themselves in '2-3' weeks.

Mine will arrive just a week before we leave, ordered through Qantas points. Not worried about the chain thingies. Edit. I lied. I found four cheapies key chains on eBay.

@blackcat20 - that should still be fine to use iPad?

 

[RooFlyer]

Arrive or ship? My stated delivery date for the key ring things is 7 days after shipment.

 

[Pushka]

Arrive or ship? My stated delivery date for the key ring things is 7 days after shipment.

Just an estimated delivery of 12 May. Shipping was I think 5 days but that info has gone now.

 

[samh004]

Can only add to this thread that I've been using them since they came out and find them very useful. Have one in my camera case (considering the value of the lenses in there), one on my electric bike in a hidden location, one each on my dogs incase they every escape, and a few other spots. It's quite useful that you can set them to ping you if away from you after a given length of time too, useful for not leaving your wallet behind or some other useful tech.

I just wish they'd allow AirTags to be "shared within a family group", like I can currently see my mothers devices and she can see mine. Perhaps a future update.

 

[dylarr]

I just wish they'd allow AirTags to be "shared within a family group", like I can currently see my mothers devices and she can see mine. Perhaps a future update.

So much this. This is my one and only qualm with AirTags. Especially with things that are commonly shared such as car keys, luggage etc.

It's strange because if you use Family Sharing, you're able to see the location of your family's other devices (iPhone, iPad, etc) but not AirTags.

 

[get me outta here]

A small technical question please, the holders generally have a hole in the middle, is that to make it Bluetooth effective or just to show an Apple logo?

 

[RooFlyer]

A small technical question please, the holders generally have a hole in the middle, is that too make it effective or just to show an Apple logo?

You can get them engraved on the other side ( abt 4 characters - I did my surname - or an emoji). I think ( am expecting) that would show out too.