AirTags catch United Airlines in lie about missing luggage

A woman used multiple locations of AirTags she planted in her luggage before traveling to catch United Airlines lying about the security of her bags.

Valerie Szybala has taken to Twitter to document how United Airlines lost her luggage, then proceeded to insist she was wrong about where her AirTag said it was.

I'd just like everyone to know that @united has lost track of my bag and is lying about it. My apple AirTag shows that it has been sitting in a residential apartment complex for over a day. Out back by the dumpsters, I have found other emptied United Airlines bags. pic.twitter.com/fcoq4nj3zb
— valerie szybala. (@vszyb) January 1, 2023

Later in the thread, Szybala explains why she was compelled began tweeting about her situation. In a posted copy of her messages with United Airlines support, she was told to "calm down," and "we will deliver the bag to you, don't worry."

However, that conversation took place after Szybala had used her AirTags to track the luggage to a dumpster behind a residential apartment. Photographs, perhaps from Google Street View, show other United Airlines luggage strewn by the dumpster and apparently emptied.

In her messages conversation, she repeatedly informs customer support that she has found the location of the luggage because of her AirTags. When support finally acknowledges this, they still repeat that she is wrong, the "bag is safe at the Delivery services distribution center."

Szybala also reports that once she "pressed them to send me the details of their lost/stolen bag policy," the support rep stopped responding.

At some point after this, though, Szybala's AirTag showed that the baggage was on the move and was seemingly now at a McDonalds. Shortly afterwards, she reports that it left McDonalds — and returned to the apartment with the dumpster.

United Airlines has not commented publicly beyond an initial Twitter support message asking for details.

This is not the first time that AirTags have revealed unexpected journeys of the luggage they are placed in. In June 2022, one man tracked down his missing baggage to an office in Melbourne Airport. Then in August 2022, a couple visiting Portugal reported that their luggage got to see more of the country than they did.

Also in late 2022, Lufthansa briefly banned AirTags on a hopefully mistaken interpretation of FCC regulations regarding batteries. It then reversed the decision.

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27 Comments

hammeroftruth 1354 comments · 16 Years

About 1 year ago

It was worth buying a 4 pack just throw a
few in my family’s luggage and confirm they were on the plane with us when we went on vacation.

Stabitha_Christie 569 comments · 3 Years

“ However, that conversation took place after Szybala had used her AirTags to track the luggage to a dumpster behind a residential apartment.”

And then:

“ At some point after this, though, Szybala's AirTag showed that the baggage was on the move and was seemingly now at a McDonalds. Shortly afterwards, she reports that it left McDonalds -- and returned to the apartment with the dumpster.”

I suspect AI writers may also work for United support as they can’t seem to make up their mind on where the bag is either. Probably worth noting the customer in question said the bag was at an apartment complex not at a dumpster. That was AIs crack journalism team adding some artistic flourish. I

ITGUYINSD 547 comments · 5 Years

Stabitha_Christie said:

“ However, that conversation took place after Szybala had used her AirTags to track the luggage to a dumpster behind a residential apartment.”

And then:

“ At some point after this, though, Szybala's AirTag showed that the baggage was on the move and was seemingly now at a McDonalds. Shortly afterwards, she reports that it left McDonalds -- and returned to the apartment with the dumpster.”

I suspect AI writers may also work for United support as they can’t seem to make up their mind on where the bag is either. Probably worth noting the customer in question said the bag was at an apartment complex not at a dumpster. That was AIs crack journalism team adding some artistic flourish. I

I suggest you re-read the article and what Szybala said. The quote by the customer explicitly says it's "Out back by the dumpsters". I'm not sure where your confusion is?

ITGUYINSD said:

Stabitha_Christie said:

“ However, that conversation took place after Szybala had used her AirTags to track the luggage to a dumpster behind a residential apartment.”

And then:

“ At some point after this, though, Szybala's AirTag showed that the baggage was on the move and was seemingly now at a McDonalds. Shortly afterwards, she reports that it left McDonalds -- and returned to the apartment with the dumpster.”

I suspect AI writers may also work for United support as they can’t seem to make up their mind on where the bag is either. Probably worth noting the customer in question said the bag was at an apartment complex not at a dumpster. That was AIs crack journalism team adding some artistic flourish. I

I suggest you re-read the article and what Szybala said. The quote by the customer explicitly says it's "Out back by the dumpsters". I'm not sure where your confusion is?

I suggest you follow your own advice. This is pretty easy and I'll quote the relevant parts.

1. AI reported "Szybala had used her AirTags to track the luggage to a dumpster behind a residential apartment.”

2. What Szybala actually said was "Out back by the dumpsters, I have found other emptied United Airlines bags." That is other bags, not their bag as AI reported. You also inexplicably opted to selectively quote in an attempt to make it say something it didn't.

3. AI then reports that the bag is moving around which means it isn't sitting out by a dumpster.

The confusing part is that AI just made up part of the story. It's poor writing/editing on the part of AI.

omasou 632 comments · 7 Years

At no time was she smart enough to inform the police so that they could apprehend the United baggage handler who is stealing luggage?

Instead she posts to Twitter to guaranteeing the perp will not be identified.