Have the airlines ever lost your luggage?

Yep, they lost mine when I went to Washington D.C. on a class trip in 8th grade. I got really pissed off and started cussing up a storm right there in the airport. That didn't work out too well for me since my mom was one of the teachers that was also on the trip.

I think eventually I got my luggage back, but it took a while.

 

not airlines, but greyhound lost my luggage on a cross country trip once. just stayed on their arses for a couple of days after calling nonstop.

just be persistent and call every aa number possible... do the same with the courier company. impatience is a virtue.

edit: by the way, the cross country thing on greyhound was fun. really nice people and beautiful countryside. some of you should try it sometime.

 

Nope.

 

I always worry about this when I have to fly because I now always check my luggage. But fortunately, knock on wood, it hasn't happened to me yet.

 

I never check.

 

I never check if I'm alone.

Don't travel much with your wife, eh?

 

I went to Egypt with my folks when I was in high school and they lost my dad's luggage. Unfortunately, he wore slacks and a button down short-sleeved shirt on the plane with dress shoes thinking it would be easier than packing them and getting them wrinkled. He also broke the cardinal rule of not bringing extra underwear in his carry on.

He was schlepping around the Sahara in dress shoes and washing his clothes every night for 3 days until his bags finally arrived.

 

That's the worst thing ever! It's my fear every time I fly, unlike others who fear a crash.

And if they do find your luggage they deliver it around mid night when I am fast asleep!

 

Yes, yes and yes. I'm cursed. Happens to me allllllll the time.

 

3 times.

When I was coming back from Hawaii, they lost one bag. Worked out great for me. It contained stuff that I had bought specifically for the trip and probably would not use it again, so I just kept the cash. In a sense rented the stuff for free.

They lost a suitcase with my childrens' toys. They paid full replacement cost for toys and suitcase. I think the kids crying for their toys really helped them decide quickly. The kids ended up loving it as they got to buy "new" toys.

The worst was in Atlanta. I was flying to conduct a training class. The first day was a set up day, so I carried on the stuff to do the set up and wore shorts and t-shirt. After setting up, I stopped at a mall on the way back to the hotel. From the mall, I called the airline and told them the mall closed in 2 hours and the luggage had to be at my hotel before then or I was buying new clothes and they would reimburse me. They agreed. I got a call from the luggage courrier an hour later. Of course he got lost and did not show up for another 4 hours, but it did get there in time before the training.

 

Yeah on Sunday night. We barely made our connecting flight in Dallas. I was so pissed because I had everything in those 2 bags, and I had to go out and buy a bunch of crap because of it.

Southwest blows.......

 

SWA is the airline i end up flying the most. i've NEVER had luggage lost with them. but delta or american..litearlly, about 50% of the time it's lost.

 

I can't believe you guys check your luggage. I can go away for weeks at a time and fit all my crap into a single carry-on.

I think you guys are just a bunch of metro-sexuals!

 

i do like shopping. i don't hunt. drink starbucks. "i think it moved."

 

Man, why did this thread have to come up? I am flying to Houston from Dammam, Saudi Arabia in about 4 hours.

I hope they don't lose my bags. Worst feeling in the world, or atleast one of the worst, is standing there and waiting for your bags and then nothing. The beltstops, and your bags aren't there.

 

Several years ago AA lost my luggage - and never found it.

I had to document everything that I lost with receipts etc. A royal PITA. Anyway, I got compensated $1500, which was the max per their policies, and that didn't nearly replace what was lost. The language is in the fine print on your ticket...stuff you never read. I think their limits may be higher now.

Pretty crummy experience.

D R

 

i posted a thread about this this summer when Aeroflot lost my luggage. it only happened to me that one time. but it is still anoying

 

My nephew was moving from NYC to Houston on the 23rd. His cab driver took him to the wrong terminal at JFK so he had to push all his worldly belongings around the airport. When he got to the gate AA said they had given away his seat...but would take his luggage...but would have to charge him $80 extra for being over weight. He naively expressed his disgust with the airlines policies (silly boy). Needless to say his bags are aimlessly circling the baggage carousel in Mogudishou as we speak. And, and he may have no recourse:





Delayed/Lost Luggage
If your bags are delayed, airlines usually agree to pay "reasonable" expenses until they're found. The amount is subject to negotiation and you may have to fight for it. If your bags are not found you must file a claim, which takes some time to process. It is normal to wait six weeks to three months for reimbursement although some airlines are much more efficient than others. If your bags are delayed, lost or damaged on a domestic trip, the airline can invoke a ceiling of $1250 per passenger. On international trips, the liability limit is it is limited to $9.07 per pound ($20 per kilo) by the Warsaw Convention, unless you pay for extra liability. Beware of deadlines! If you miss the check-in deadline, the carrier is not responsible for your bag if it is delayed or lost.

Passenger rights vary by airline, and are sometimes referred to as "Conditions of Carriage." Click here to become familiar with your airline's policies before flying.

http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=91&category=12