Daz
and all airlines advise that any damage or loss to baggage
should be reported before leaving the airport
I don't quite understand what you're saying - 'loss to baggage' Do you mean items lost from baggage or just baggage lost ? If it's items lost from baggage ie stolen how would you know before you left the airport ? I've never seen anyone open their bag and do an inventory check in the reclaim area. Also, I believe Ryan Air were recently the subect of a successful legal action when a passenger had something stolen from his bag while it was under the care of Ryanair, RYR argued he should have made a claim before he left the airport. The guy in question represented himself while RYR sent down a lawyer, the guy still managed to successfully argue that it was unreasoanble to expect a passenger to check his bag in the reclaim area. The judge, quite rightly, found in favour of the passenger. This is just another example of RYR trying to avoid their obligations.
Last questions Daz, do you work for Ryanair (or a subcontractor) and have you ever taken a flight on BA ?