Hi All, been using this forum for years for great info.
Finally, I have an experience that will add some info to the community. Yesterday, I checked in at SFO in C for SFO-NRT on NH 007 with a connection from NRT-CTS on NH2155. Two pax in C; checked 1 ski bag 243 cm total and two other regular sized gear bags. SFO Agent tagged them all the way through to CTS at SFO after measuring them, referring to a booklet, and telling us they were good to go. After all, she said, you're in C; size and weight are fine. NH007 was a great flight. Arrived at NRT, collected the bags, sailed through customs, and then the wheels fell off at the domestic connection drop off.
Connecting drop off was refused because of the ski bag. We went to the domestic check-in. Star Alliance Gold Agent refused to check the ski bag because it was in excess of 203 cm, flight was full, and there was no "reservation" in the computer for ski bag. Requested supervisor. Supervisor refused to check the bag because it was in excess of 203 cm. No overcharge options given. Simply, "we will not take the bag."
This was despite notation in computer that we had skis, and even though they were tagged to CTS. After much discussion, the supervisor reason given was that the A320 did not have space in the cargo hold for such a large bag. No help. No apology. And, yes, I have spent lots of time in Japan. So, I know all about their propensity towards rules and at time unwavering and unreasonable adherence to them. But, this was shocking. Certainly I've had my share of typical sniveling in Japan about failure to get a diamond upgrade at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, etc.
However, I have never been the recipient of such a harsh refusal to accommodate luggage, or event try. After all, these were C tickets we had arrived into NRT on. After exhausting all discussions with NH domestic, we were went to the NH "luggage forwarding counter," were charged 1870 Yen, and the bag is supposedly on a truck to be delivered in Sapporo tomorrow--"if it doesn't snow"--two days late.
Well, I've taken many ski/gear bags all over the world connectign from long hall to A320s, CRJ 700s, DH700s, and smaller. Some trips, I have checked multiple huge ski/gear bags over size and allowance limits to/from places like JAC, MMT, VDZ, CDC, SCL, EZE, USH--and on and on. Yes, I have had to pay fees. Yes, at times they were unreasonably high. Yes, I have FedExed equipment in advance in lieu of dealing with new policies with the domestics like UA and DL. But, NEVER have I had an outright refusal to accept an already checked and tagged through bag from an international to a domestic connection. NH shame on you
