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My BlackBerry (with more than 8,000 contacts) is stolen abroad 14-hour business-class flight, and the airline says I should have been more careful!
Published on November 10, 2007 By PranayGupte In Travel
The following is a response from Etihad Airways to my complaint about my BlackBerry being stolen aboard the carrier's Abu Dhabi-to-New York flight on business class:

Dear Mr. Gupte,

First of all, please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your email. I wanted to make sure that we had fully exhausted all avenues in an attempt to recover your missing Blackberry before replying.

We have investigated fully with the crew, the lounge in Abu Dhabi and our staff in New York but unfortunately to date your Blackberry has not been found.

I know that this is not the news you had hoped for and I am sure you are disappointed that we have not recovered the Blackberry. I would like to stress however, that personal items that you are carrying are the sole responsibility of the guest and Etihad cannot be held responsible for the safe keeping of such items. I can only say how sorry I am and express the hope that it will not undermine your opinion of Etihad Airways.

Mr. Gupte I can imagine this ordeal has been very upsetting for you and I am sorry for any inconvenience you have experienced. We look forward to the pleasure of your company on board Etihad in the near future.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Barry Green
Manager CRM

Etihad Airways
P.O. Box 35566
New Airport Road
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Tel.: +971 (0)2 505 8000
Dir.: +971 (0)2 505 8347
Fax: +971 (0)2 505 8094
Mobile: +971 (0)50 811 2796
Email: bgreen@etihad.ae

www.etihadairways.com
The National Airline of the United Arab Emirates

Comments
on Nov 11, 2007
How did they rob you? they are correct, no airline is responsible for personal items. where did you get that idea? In fact No carrier of any kind is responsible for personal items. you think they are your baby sitters? The more you think about it, you will realize that, NO Business anywhere is responsible for personal items. not your barber, not your car-repair shop, not your car wash, not your doctor's office, not your own busines office,not your fast food palce, ... etc not anywhere in the world.

Grow up man. yes you should have been more careful.
on Dec 14, 2007
Airlines have no shame!