US Airways sued for $1million over lost Xbox
It's doesn't take too long to fly from New Haven to Cincinnati. But in that short time, student Jesse Maiman's precious, beautiful, indispensable Xbox disappeared from his luggage.
This was no ordinary Xbox. It had a very specialized hard drive and components. Which Mr. Maiman believes are worth $1000.
So you might be wondering why Mr. Maiman is suing US Airways for $1million. Actually, you're probably not wondering. You already know that the loss of an Xbox is akin to losing one's child, one's lover and a couple of vital organs all in one devastating moment. This is distress at its most emotional.
When he discovered the Xbox was gone, he immediately went to talk to US Airways. He told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he was given "an unconscionable runaround."
Yes, he used the word 'unconscionable'. Yes, he's studying at Yale. But please do not let yourself be prejudiced just because of that. Mr. Maiman is a trueblood, blue blood gamer and imaginarian: "That thing was my DVD player."
They do, indeed, have a film studies course at Yale. And one can surmise from his passion that Mr. Maiman, a junior film studies major, may, one day, direct "Underworld: The Fall of the Lying, Cheating, Smug, Heartless, Customer Service Reps at US Airways."
US Airways has shown the depth of its concern. A spokesperson put a large personal spoke into Mr. Maiman's heartfelt claim: "There are federal loss limits applicable to all airlines on their liability for lost luggage and belongings, which are currently set at $3,300 per bag."
Perhaps some of you might wonder whether Mr. Maiman was carelessly optimistic in putting his precious Xbox and specialized components into his checked luggage. And not just because a US Airways plane has been known to land in water.
The spokesperson was, indeed, armed with another personal spoke: "Our publicly available baggage policies specifically exclude liability for electronics checked in luggage."
One can only hope Mr. Maiman has a stunningly spokesperson-deflating lawyer. I understand there are some good ones who went to Harvard.
Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director who advises major corporations on content creation and marketing. He brings an irreverent, sarcastic, and sometimes ironic voice to the tech world. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. 
Who knows what data he had saved on his X Box... the time and effort to achieve goals in games has to be worth something. While I think the initial 1 million figure is a bit outlandish, he definitely deserves more than the cost of the X Box.
Seems like Microsoft should be able to pinpoint where it is the moment that thing ever goes online, if it does.
That makes it ok for them to steal them.
I'm just waiting for the BOOM and the Congressional investigation afterward about what went wrong. Well, here is what went wrong. The guy didn't get compensated for his xBox. :)
- by ctbeckyw March 15, 2009 4:44 PM PDT
- What makes him an idiot? Let me count the ways. First, is that he put it in his suitcase. How many times must the flying public be warned about putting valuables in their suitcases? Additionally, he's an idiot because he put such a potentially breakable item in a suitcase. It's no different than checking a laptop or any other electronics. Luggage is stacked and moved somewhat INdelicately. He's an idiot for letting an alleged specialize unit out of his sight. Unless his carry on was Waterford Chrystal, he should have kept it with him.
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(6 Comments)He's a Yale student , huh? Their Admissions Dept and PR Dept must have had a few meetings wondering how this one got through the system. Or perhaps they are following the case and supporting him looking for a MAJOR future alum donation. <LOL>