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Left my iPad on the airplane

snouter said:
If I had the pass code enabled, it would have been impossible for someone to open my email app and see any one of my eight email account addresses in there.

The ideal solution in my case would have been a pass code and a temporary sticker on the iPad with my name and phone number on it.
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The ideal solution is a wallpaper/background that says IF FOUND: [DO THIS] and a passcode. They even have apps to help you do this, like ifFound.

The difficulty is that A) an honest person has to find it, and if that person isn't tech savvy enough to figure out who owns it B) a second honest person has to take it at lost+found, and if that person isn't tech savvy C) you have to call the right lost and found to figure out it's there and somehow determine that the iPad they happen to have is yours and not someone else's.

You are right, though, that a locked iPad without any identifying information on it is very difficult to return. As an honest finder you MIGHT be able to get Apple to cough up an address for you to mail it, but probably not due to security concerns. At least on a locked phone I can keep it and wait for the owner to call it.
 
nixiemaiden said:
Is one of your email accounts by any chance hooked up to an exchange server? You might be able to remote wipe from exchange webmail.
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I had my IT dept change my password.

Hmm... can people still get into my email and read them?
 
snouter said:
I had my IT dept change my password.

Hmm... can people still get into my email and read them?
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If you log into your webmail, go to options, then go to mobile devices, then pick your iPad and click Wipe all data from device... it will wipe your device to the point that when you turn it on it will say "Please connect to iTunes"

If you don't have webmail it is a possibility that your IT department can do this on their end. It is a built in security feature on Exchange in case company equipment is lost or stolen.

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1033538
 
Built said:
...Also, if you saw the things that people put in the seat back pocket, you wouldn't put ANYTHING you wanted to keep in there...

Examples...Dirty, filled diapers...filled air sickness bags...half-eaten lunches...syringes...half-finished drinks...

No way am I EVER sticking ANYTHING in there.
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Built, I'm pretty sure we could travel well together! :D

To the OP, i would be crying.... I'm sorry that you didn't get it back.

My parents somehow left their 2 sets of noise canceling headphones and iPods on a plane once (I say somehow because they weren't rushed, my dad is the last one off in a wheelchair), it took a week of badgering but they appeared at the delta lost and found. They were shocked to have them returned.

Hopefully there is a chance it will still show up.
 
I got off a plane just last night, returning from a holiday. While we were all standing in the plane aisle, bags in hand, waiting to walk off, the other half says "have you got the iPad?". I look down and it's still in my seat pocket. So Ive got the iPad but she'll remind me about it for the next 2 years.
 
To the OP: I'm sorry for your loss. I do hope you're able to recover your device without incident. However, another poster stated that if you're able to recover your iPad, consider heavily in investing in MobileMe. I couldn't agree more. Sure the $99/year is a bit steep, but if you're toting devices with lots of different accounts and sensitive credentials that prying eyes could see, it's worth the peace of mind in spending the money.

I will suggest that since I've started carrying more sensitive information on both my iPhone and iPad, it was paramount to screen-lock both devices (requesting a password immediately before proceeding). Lastly, my screen lock image for both devices is a dislaimer stating how to contact me (email and/or home phone) if said device is lost or stolen. Yes, it's a little redundant since this can be done with MobileMe Find My iPhone push notifications, but it's my first line of defense if I'm in either predicament. At worst case, I can brick said device and never see it again.
 
stark4 said:
I really really don't understand why a person can forget their iPad on the plane. I'm not gonna say anything if it is itouch or similar small device but iPad? You board the plane with it .. you used it in the plane... and you forgot all about it when you get off? come on..!
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According to a 2008 survey, over 12,000 laptops are lost each WEEK in USA airports alone. Twelve thousand.

And they're pretty big things. Often with a huge case involved.

It would be even easier to forget a slim iPad in an airplane seat's back pocket :)
 
Couple things you may try

Contact Apple with your iPad Serial #. Ask them if THEY can track it...and/or wipe it, render it useless if it's plugged in to iTunes...or if it seeks an update/restore/et. al (Not sure if this is a possibility...seems as it should be, since everything is electronically tracked thru iTunes!)

Contact Delta. Find out where that airplane went to next (and possibly even the next stop). You can track this online if you know the following flight number. Then, run an ad on Craigslist under Lost and Found (with Reward as someone else mentioned) in those particular markets. You may even contact those market newspapers and run a small price L&F ad in their classified section.

You may even mention in the ads you're looking to have it returned, first. BUT, being a sophisticated electronic device...it CAN be tracked and you WILL contact the local authorities...as an over $500 theft in MOST states constitutes Grand larceny/theft, and is construed as a felony.

You may take that step anyway...if Delta will give you the flight information. Sounds like you made a claim with them, but I would also let them know (and write to management) that you are contacting authorities as there is personal information on it....and you're concerned the cleaning crew (either employees OR contractors of Delta) would have been the first to notice the missing iPad.

Check with your homeowner's/renter's insurance. (Already mentioned). Did you purchase your flight on American Express? Often they offer Travel insurance. Possible with other credit cards...you may want to check.

Again...I would try Apple right off the bat...see if there's a way they can track it, or put some type of "APB" or tag on the serial number when it tries to connect to their servers. I would also contact Delta...work your way up the chain and see what can be done.

Thanks to the previous poster...12,000 laptops a week is extreme. Possibly, nobody will care...as they hear it all the time...but maybe, you'll get lucky and find a persistent employee that'll help you out.

Don't listen to the "I can't believe you left it in the seat" crowd. What a joke! EVERYONE has made a mental error...human nature. Those that say they don't, won't, or never will are lying to themselves! We all do it! At least 12,000 a week:)

Good Luck bro...I wish you the best. Being stolen from is certainly a violation and it hurts. (I had a thousand bucks stolen from my wife's purse at a "popular ice cream shop" last summer...and came to find out it was the assistant manager of the store! Unreal what folks will do these days...)

I wish you the best...That ***** is tough to get over!~

J
 
Had that happen too

Just wondering - Snouter - did you ever get your iPad back? I saw that your first post was about six months ago.

Spouse just did the same thing and left the iPad in the pocket on the exit row. Was a bit distressed at some unhappy circumstances, wanted out of the plane, and left it.

Airlines said "we'll contact you if we find it".
Plane's next destination was international....:(

Has anyone had any luck with an international return of an iPad/iPod/laptop?:confused:
 
If it makes you feel better, I found an iPhone 4 at the mall yesterday. I returned it to the help desk, and as I was walking away the iPhone rang, and I had to turn around to help the lady answer it. lol. It was the owner.

There are good people (not saying I am. lol) Have a little hope. But don't expect anything.
 
elmateo487 said:
...
There are good people (not saying I am. lol) Have a little hope. But don't expect anything.
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Thanks, elmateo487. That's what I'm trying to do - have a little hope but not expect anything.

Particularly since the flight went international. I did read some posts elsewhere of people actually getting devices back internationally.
I can still dream....

I have dropped a note to the credit card company the trip was booked with to see if they have any coverage for this type of thing, and I'll post follow-up on that for everyone.
 
maybe this site will help someone

I found the following site reading other places.
it's for iPods, but probably you could put an iPad on it too.
I think we might.

www.lostipod.com
 
I will try in my own way to assist the best I can, I am a member of Cabin Crew for a UK based airline, and contrary to popular belief if the crew find something on an aircraft it WILL be handed into the airports lost property as we get searched through security and NO crew members bring high value items such as iPads into work incase there is a quick fingered passenger going through crew luggage which does happen.
So just keep doing what you are doing and hope it has been handed in rather than stolen by a pax.

But my belief is that a pax may have taken it, as if it had been found by the crew it may have been taken as a security issue and the police might have it, which would have meant the might have tried to contact you. But perhaps try the airport police/security too.

Good Luck
Kris
 
Apologies to all for posting a bad link, and thank you 'testcard' for posting the correct one. :eek:

Thanks Kris for post - it's nice to know people do really try to help.

In spite of all the nastiness we have in the world these days there are some bright spots!:D
 
I hate to report, I just did the same.
I left my 2 week old IPad 2 on a SWA flight in PHL. :mad:
Realized I left it once I was more than 1 hr from the airport.
I had not activated the data plan yet and I had let mobile me lapse.
At least I had it synced with my company's Microsoft Exchange account so I could at least send a remote wipe command.
Bummed about loosing it and $750 down the drain but more concerned about the data on the device, esp since the wipe hasn't been confirmed yet.
Being that it was lost in PHL I would be really surprised to ever see it again.
 
fedup flyer said:
I hate to report, I just did the same.
I left my 2 week old IPad 2 on a SWA flight in PHL. :mad:
Realized I left it once I was more than 1 hr from the airport.
I had not activated the data plan yet and I had let mobile me lapse.
At least I had it synced with my company's Microsoft Exchange account so I could at least send a remote wipe command.
Bummed about loosing it and $750 down the drain but more concerned about the data on the device, esp since the wipe hasn't been confirmed yet.
Being that it was lost in PHL I would be really surprised to ever see it again.
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Man, I'm sorry to hear that :-(. Yea I would say it's probably gone for good. :-(.
 
KrisEagling said:
I will try in my own way to assist the best I can, I am a member of Cabin Crew for a UK based airline, and contrary to popular belief if the crew find something on an aircraft it WILL be handed into the airports lost property as we get searched through security and NO crew members bring high value items such as iPads into work incase there is a quick fingered passenger going through crew luggage which does happen.
So just keep doing what you are doing and hope it has been handed in rather than stolen by a pax.

But my belief is that a pax may have taken it, as if it had been found by the crew it may have been taken as a security issue and the police might have it, which would have meant the might have tried to contact you. But perhaps try the airport police/security too.

Good Luck
Kris
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Several years ago I left a camera bag in the seat as I was getting a bag from overhead. I was almost off the plane when I remembered I didn't have it. Went back to the seat and it was gone. The next day at home I got a call from the airlines, they had my equipment and they were sending a courier out to my house with it !
 
For your next iPad, just put on your lock screen text that reads "Huge reward if found. Call XXX-XXX-XXXX for easy money. Don't settle for bad karma"

I have MobileMe but its useless once someone wipes it which most "finders keepers" types will do immediately.

Further, MOST airlines clean seat back pockets in between flights so if an employee has it, they can get in trouble for not turning it in.

I have left a ton of stuff in that seat back pocket over the years but nothing of huge value yet.
 
Ecoh said:
Several years ago I left a camera bag in the seat as I was getting a bag from overhead. I was almost off the plane when I remembered I didn't have it. Went back to the seat and it was gone. The next day at home I got a call from the airlines, they had my equipment and they were sending a courier out to my house with it !
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Nice airline? Is it real?
 
I cannot imagine keeping something that does not belong to me! I would feel awful every time I used it. Some people are just not wired that way , I guess.:(
 
stark4 said:
I really really don't understand why a person can forget their iPad on the plane. I'm not gonna say anything if it is itouch or similar small device but iPad? You board the plane with it .. you used it in the plane... and you forgot all about it when you get off? come on..!
Click to expand...

Another one from the land of perfect.

Anyway sorry to hear. I know that sinking feeling. Thought I lost my iPhone last night at Chinese restaurant. Luckily the waiter had it at the pick up counter.
 
VidPro said:
Another one from the land of perfect.

Anyway sorry to hear. I know that sinking feeling. Thought I lost my iPhone last night at Chinese restaurant. Luckily the waiter had it at the pick up counter.
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Well said, VidPro.
Until you lose something very valuable to you (be it sentimental or monetary) it is very easy to criticize and say "how could you have done that??":eek:

And I hope you gave the guy at the pick up counter a NICE tip for the return. :D

We do all need to keep in mind though that "it's just stuff". And stuff can (most of the time) be replaced.

We never did hear back from the airline or anyone on the iPad we lost in January of this year. Its now been replaced with an iPad 2, but we still miss the old one.... :(
 
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