To the person who stole my mobility aid ...

[ferntree]

... from the Sydney Lounge on Monday 17 Feb ... are you proud of yourself?

On entering the lounge I went straight to the toilet and left my walking stick propped against the wall before entering the cubicle. This was more convenient than struggling with the door, my flight bag, and stick all at the same time. When I exited the cubicle it was not there.

Thinking that maybe someone mistaking it for lost property might with good intent have handed it in at reception I checked this possibility out. No joy.

I would guess that someone visiting the toilet on their way out of the lounge saw it there and just decided to take the opportunity to steal it.

Happily, a very kind gentleman helped me out and later guided me to a pharmac_ where I was able to purchase a replacement.

But I find it sad that anybody would choose to perform such a mean, petty and sneaky act in the first place.

 

[DC3]

I would guess that someone visiting the toilet on their way out of the lounge saw it there and just decided to take the opportunity to steal it.

Most unfortunate for sure. Is it possible that the person who took it may have thought finders keepers (i.e., abandoned property)?

Incident reported to police? Investigated, including CCTV. Is that where it’s going?

Unless that person is an AFFer they will probably never see this post.

 

[ferntree]

Most unfortunate for sure. Is it possible that the person who took it may have though finders keepers?

Theft reported to police? Investigated, including CCTV. Is that where it’s going?

Unless that person is an AFFer they will probably never see your post.

It really would be more trouble to involve the police, especially as I don't live in Sydney (was transiting.).

Oh, and "finders keepers" is nothing more than a euphemism for theft.

 

[DC3]

Oh, and "finders keepers" is nothing more than a euphemism for theft.

Not arguing with that. Just saying.

Theft can sometimes be reported on-line (to the Police). You can still report it from home in Tassie. Will you look into that?

Edited

 

[ferntree]

Unless that person is an AFFer they will probably never see this post.

Almost certainly true ... just needed to express myself.

 

[Happy Dude]

Perhaps leave a post on VAs Facebook and X to widen the net? SMH

 

[mrfreeze]

I noticed on one of the Velocity FB pages someone had a black samsonite case taken from one of the lounges this week too.

 

[Daver6]

Could the cleaning staff have potentially taken it thinking that it was abandoned and not got around to giving it to lost property?

 

[DC3]

Could the cleaning staff have potentially taken it thinking that it was abandoned and not got around to giving it to lost property

Apparently not. OP says it was theft.

We may hear more about the filing of a police report. That may help others as it goes on the record as a theft from the Virgin Lounge. And it’s not as though there’s no CCTV in there.

 

[DC3]

Could the cleaning staff have potentially taken it thinking that it was abandoned and not got around to giving it to lost property?

 

[RooFlyer]

Apparently not. OP says it was theft.

The OP 'guessed' that it was theft. Daver6 asked if cleaning staff may have taken it as abandoned. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

My money would be on it being stolen, as ferntree thought. But @ferntree, if you can, a report to VA or the police while having little chance of getting your property back, may help identify a 'hotspot' of theft either from the location, or the day etc and generally help, even in retrospect. A coughpy situation all round.

 

[Scarlett]

This is as good a place as any to remind ALL that airports and airline lounges are not protected by any sort of extra imaginary theft protection capabilities, just because people have gone through a terminal security check (or entered a ‘limited access’ lounge).

The number of phones, tablets, laptops and handbags left in lounges whilst the owner heads off elsewhere for a drink, food or to use the facilities is quite astounding. I do like that the owners are trusting enough of their fellow guests, but there are enough ‘theft from lounges’ threads that I remain wary.

@ferntree, this is not a criticism of you in any way, as I’d have likely done exactly the same with a mobility aid. It is ridiculous what people will steal.

I agree with others that you do need to formally report it via police to ensure there is a known history of the problem.

Also, and maybe this says more about me than anyone else, I’d have have first reported it to the reception staff and then second, checked the janitor closet or closest cleaning storage space for that toilet facility. I have no reason to trust cleaning staff any more or less than anyone else, but in terms of likelihood of access and opportunity to make something ‘disappear’ quickly, that’d be my thinking.

 

[DC3]

I agree with others that you do need to formally report it via police to ensure there is a known history of the problem.

.. just needed to express myself.

Looking back over this thread, it seems that the OP was just venting. That’s probably the end of this.

There’s a saying about leading a horse to water.

 

[justinbrett]

Perhaps I’m too trusting but I always leave my bags where I’m sitting if I go to the loo / get food etc. From my observation that's pretty much the done thing in most lounges.

I'd rather my bag be in full view of a crowded lounge and CCTV then leave it outside of the toilets etc in a dark corner.

 

[RooFlyer]

That’s probably the end of this.

OK, if you say so.

There’s a saying about leading a horse to water.

Tell us how that applies here.