Alright, I've been a baggage handler/lead/supervisor for over a decade now...I am here to explain and answer all this. I've done it a few times before and as a status frequent flier, I understand why people have questions...so AMA if you like. I've picked out some that I think need addressing and then I'll write some basic stuff that I think people don't seem to know.
Originally Posted by
beachfan
i lost my bag even though it was scanned as arrived in MIA
Entirely possible. I've never worked for AA, but I've worked under WS/CO/NW/UA (post merger)/DL (post merger)/F9/9M/AC/CA/CZ/MU/HX...the list is actually very long. So if anyone has a non-hub specific question I can probably answer it, if it makes any difference I work at YVR, if you have any specific questions about that I can answer those too.
I digress.
MOST airlines have multiple scans to pinpoint this kind of issue. 1. Bagroom 2. During the loading 3. During the offload 4. Claim belt/transfer belt. Again, I can't speak 100% to AA, but I do know they're supposed to claim scan. So if it was never CLAIM scanned, then it's totally possible your bag was scanned off the plane, then fell off a cart or something and legitimately "lost". If your bag didn't have a tag (happens alot, they get ripped, they get too wet and fall off, whatever) the offload scan may have been from the little sticker (that's the backup barcode) but then if someone finds that bag on the ground, there's a good chance they can't tell what airline it's from. That doesn't really help you, but if it was offload scanned, then it should definitely be at the destination airport.
Originally Posted by
joe_miami
MIA has had problems for years with bags being looted/stolen by staff or stolen from the carousels.
That shouldn't happen, but does. I'm sorry. We're not all total ........s or thieves. But there's thieves everywhere. I've heard LAX has a similar reputation. I can only speak to YVR, if people get caught, they get fired, even union guys can't usually protect them from stuff like that. Once the cops get involved most of the time your RAIC/SITA Card gets pulled and the governing body doesn't often allow you to apply for a new one.
Originally Posted by
donotblink
Las Vegas has also been horrible in my experience. I once waited almost two hours for my bags there. I usually go for a full week with suits so need to check a bag.
This should never happen, barring equipment failure. If there was an equipment failure, then it's pretty simple, the arrivals agent can say that over the PA. I won't impune the crew that offloaded the flight because I don't know what happened but stuff like that does happen from time to time.