4 ms·
American lost my bag on the way back from Italy a few years back, wouldn't answer the phone, called security when I went back to the baggage claim at the airpor
by faster 13y ago
American lost my bag on the way back from Italy a few years back, wouldn't answer the phone, called security when I went back to the baggage claim at the airport to ask them what was going on, and when they found the bag, they sent it to San Jose Costa Rica on a boat, instead of San Jose California. Of course I never saw that bag again.
I learned that baggage losses are balanced against the cost of paying for more reliable and trustworthy baggage handlers, and customer service is subject to a similar balancing act.
I also started travelling lighter, and keeping an extra day's clothing in my carry-on bag. It's much more difficult to be prepared for baggage loss with a kid, but it was worth it. Try running out of diapers because planes are delayed. When was the last time you saw diapers for sale in an airport?
- evadne 13y agoIf I remember correctly, one of the many stores in Changi Airport’s transit area carries diapers.
- kalleboo 13y agoChangi also has a regularly stocked 7-11, something every airport should have.
- ye 13y agoSmall claims court. Take them for the maximum allowed in your state.
- adammil 13y agoIf you win in small claims court, what's the process to turn that win into an actual check from the company?
- tadfisher 13y agoYou mean sue Heathrow? AA fulfilled their duty to get the bags to the baggage carousel. Not their fault that most airports rely on the honor system.
- darkarmani 13y ago> AA fulfilled their duty to get the bags to the baggage carousel. Not their fault that most airports rely on the honor system.AA fulfilled their duty to get the bags to the baggage carousel. Not their fault that most airports rely on the honor system. I don't think that is the way the legal system defines duty and fault.
- chrismcb 13y agoBased on the blog, I doesn't sound like AA can prove they did even that much.
- kelnos 13y agoMy solution: I never check a bag. I started this practice 6 or 7 years ago, and it's great. I have a fantastic carry-on bag that fits everything I need, plus usually a small laptop bag, and I never let them out of my sight. I've gone on trips 2 weeks long with no trouble, and could easily go longer. The one possible annoyance is staying below the carry-on liquid requirements, but I haven't had a problem with that yet. (You can always purchase things like toothpaste and shampoo at your destination if the travel-size containers aren't enough.) Fringe benefits: since I'm not checking a bag, I can get to the airport a little later. And I also get to leave the airport earlier at my destination since I don't have to wait at baggage claim. Of course, those of you traveling with kids have it a bit harder, but given the passenger mix on most planes I've flown on, most people could likely follow this advice.
- tadfisher 13y agoI learned this mantra from a jet-setting lawyer: "Checked luggage is lost luggage." I survived a month in Europe shortly after with carry-ons. It was doable, pleasant even, but I had to make some sacrifices: one pair of shoes, no laptop, no heavy jacket. It's obviously not ideal and possibly not feasible for someone traveling with a non-ticketed baby to travel this way.
- eitally 13y agoIt depends on a lot of things (climate, specific personal requirements, etc). My wife & I took our two young children -- 2 and 4 -- to California & Hawaii this summer without checking any bags. It was a 17 day trip. This is way more challenging on business trips when you usually need to pack nicer clothing.
- saryant 13y agoI'm at the end of a 3.5 week trip across Japan and South Korea. One carry-on suitcase, one satchel as my day bag. I can't imagine carrying anything more (though, like you, no kids). I spent five weeks in India for work last year, one of my coworkers brought an entire suitcase of shoes. He was nothing compared to the guy who brought two overweight suitcases. Our company policy would paid for extra bag fees but not overweight fees. He was pretty pissed when he got hit with those fees by Lufthansa. North of $300 each way out of his own pocket. For the life of me I don't know why he needed so much.