A traveller alleges she was paid about £250 to have her iPad returned to her, despite the fact that it was only a few steps away from her in the airport.

Janice Gordon arrived in London this month after a six-hour British Airways trip from Montreal, Canada, with a seven-hour layover.

She didn’t realize she’d left her iPad on her seat until she went into the airport.

The 67-year-old was prepared for her second flight from London to Bahrain when she realized she had made a mistake.

The former dental receptionist claims she begged with the British Airways team to collect the item, but was told it would be impossible because getting back aboard the plane would violate security.

Janice claims she was only a few meters away from the plane through its boarding bridge when she was told by the flight crew that it was too late and that the item was already on its way to the lost property office.

The Canadian claims that when she returned to Heathrow from Bahrain two weeks later, she sought to reclaim the iPad but was told that the airport’s lost property office was closed.

She was then allegedly given a card for British Airways’ lost items service, MailmyProperty, and claims she was compelled to pay a $48.93 service fee, $230 for the iPad to be delivered, and an additional $125 in income taxes and levies.

All of these costs added up to an eye-watering $403.93 – or £247.57.

“I was asleep when we got in London, so I was a little fuzzy,” Janice explained.

“I got off the plane and walked through security before heading to the gate for the Bahrain trip.” I realized my iPad had gone missing around 40 minutes after getting off the plane.

“I asked the British Airways representative at the boarding gate if someone could escort me back to the plane, but she replied no due to security and that it would have already been taken to the lost and found office.”

“I then requested if someone could take me to the lost and found office, but I was told no again due to security.” They handed me a business card for missingx.com and instructed me to contact them via email.

“So I did, but I didn’t hear back for a few days.” Finally, they sent me a list of iPads that had been discovered, and I was instructed to choose mine.

“I discovered one that sounded similar to mine and returned information.” Then I was told I required an iPad serial number and other information, which I fortunately had on my phone.

“I’ve told them several times that I’ll be flying through again on Sunday, November 28th, with a seven-hour stopover, and that I’d like to pick it up then.” However, they were not open on Sundays.

“So I asked if they could just get it on Saturday and hold it somewhere I could receive it, but they couldn’t.”

“Finally, I emailed Instafile and paid them £30 but received no response until they finally said they had my iPad and would ship it to me for $230.”

The post received dozens of likes and comments from individuals who had conflicting feelings about Janice’s predicament.

“Today’s lesson is, make sure you take everything with you before you exit the plane,” Chris Bachin stated.

“Same with all airlines,” Corinne Miles added. “I don’t think you can just show up at the lost and found and demand something.”

You must schedule an appointment to prove ownership. The ‘Find My Device’ feature is frequently rejected as proof because it can be exploited.”

Bag Port, the company in charge of lost property at Heathrow, has been approached for comment.