I, along with my family were returning from a nice vacation in LA and had hailed a cab at Newark airport (from the Newark taxi dispatch area) yesterday evening (1/2/11). During the ride or while getting off, the iPad must have slipped from the bag in the trunk on the taxi and we did not realize it until after good 1o minutes of the taxi leaving us at our residence. The device had a bunch of files, emails and a lot of contact information that was very important to me.
The iPad did not have the ‘Mobile Me’ or any of the Tracking software that could help in finding it. Apparently, there was no way to find the iPad with just the serial number, even though Apple requires us to register the device. So, desperate to find the missing iPad we searched several forums to find a way to track the cab that we took (I luckily happened to notice and remember the Medallion number of the cab). After a lot of searching and calling the Newark Taxi Commission number 973-733-8912 (listed here in the official airport site) for next couple of hours in vain with no answer; we gave up for the night. Our little daughter seemed to miss it the most as she loved few of her educational games that we had installed.
The most disappointing fact was that even if the taxi driver found the device and had all intentions to return it, there was no way for him to figure out which customer it would have belonged to. The device did not have any identification markings or tags on it. I had almost lost all hopes on finding the device.
The following morning (today), I tried to call the Newark Taxi Commission again. There was no response on the listed number and not even a voicemail for me to leave a message. I think either they have an incorrect number on the site or the commission just does not answer the phone. I posted an ad in the lost and found section of craigslist and also registered the device serial number with itrackmobile site with a bleak optimism.
Finally I decided to contact the taxi dispatch center wondering if they could help. I searched for the Newark Taxi dispatch number and called the listed number (973-799-0217). The lady who picked up my call directed me to contact her supervisor (Mike Horton) at 973-332-1961 to report the loss. I called Mike, who patiently listened and took down the medallion number I had on the Taxi and said he would be contacting me as soon as he was able to locate the taxi.
Within the next 15 minutes (awesome turnaround) I received a call from Mike along with the Taxi driver. The driver (Greg Silvester) had the iPad and as anticipated he just did not know where and whom to return it to. He offered to meet at the airport for me to pick up the device. After thanking Mike profusely for his excellent and remarkable customer service, I rushed to the airport to pick up my iPad.
Kudos and many thanks to the Newark Taxi dispatch team, especially Mike for their awesome customer service and the honesty and integrity of the NJ taxi drivers (especially, Greg Silvester) for helping in ensuring that I get my iPad back.
Ram Seshan's Notes... 