I've been bringing wine from FRA for 10+ years on US, UA, LH. Always check within bag and weight limits, declare at customs stateside and sometimes pay the small amount of duty. I've brought back anywhere from 12 to 70 bottles per flight with NO problem whatsoever.

My brother came over for a short visit and I asked him to bring 24 bottles. He's *G, checks three bags (two of which are UPS-approved wine shipment boxes) and proceeds to the lounge in FRA. A short time thereafter he is tracked down there and asked to the check-in counter where the supervisor informs him that there is a 5-liter limit on alcohol. He is forced to unpack the bottles over "the limit" and leave them behind.

US Airways website does not have any info on alcoholic beverages as checked luggage, BUT some research on the United website indicates there is a limit of 5 liters for alcohol over 24% by volume at United - most wine is well under that.

I suspect US Airways has the same policy as United and this supervisor wrongly applied it.

1. Does anyone know what the actual US Airways policy is re: alcohol in checked luggage?
2. If it turns out the supervisor was wrong and US Airways policy would have allowed my brother to bring all 24 bottles on, where do I complain?

I just want to know what the facts are and how I can prevent this from happening when I check in in FRA with more wine a few weeks from now.

TIA!