Priority Baggage, is it really a Priority?
Mar 26, 2023 | 11:11 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YYC
Programs: Aeroplan SE MM, Bonvoy LT Platinum
Posts: 46
Deprioritized Bags
So realizing it is a first world problem, still very frustrating experience yesterday with checked bags. We waited over an hour after arriving for bags to get to carousel in Maui. And the priority tagged bags came last. On a direct flight YYC-OGG. Thankfully it is only vacation trips I need to check bags for, I cant imagine trying to do this weekly.
Are others having similar experiences? Priority luggage always seemed like a great benefit but only if it works.
Are others having similar experiences? Priority luggage always seemed like a great benefit but only if it works.
Mar 26, 2023 | 11:21 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,362
Was there anything special about your flight? For example, late inbound arrival, last minute equipment swap, or, I know you may not be aware, any weight and balance issue affecting your flight?
The standard practice is to load priority bags last so that they get unloaded first, but due to the reasons mentioned above, priority bags may not be able to get loaded first or unloaded last.
My flight had a mechanical issue once that resulted in a last minute equipment swap, and all priority bags were unloaded last.
The standard practice is to load priority bags last so that they get unloaded first, but due to the reasons mentioned above, priority bags may not be able to get loaded first or unloaded last.
My flight had a mechanical issue once that resulted in a last minute equipment swap, and all priority bags were unloaded last.
Mar 26, 2023 | 5:45 pm
#49
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC E75K *G
Posts: 7,242
OGG is pretty hit and miss for ground services from beginning to end in my experience.
Mar 26, 2023 | 8:20 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC SE, Bonvoy, Centara, Hyatt
Posts: 3,235
My experience has been that priority handling is directly linked to the airline and counutry where performance/quality of service is valued. For example, if destination airport is in Canada and airline is Air Canada, priority means nothing. Similar experience in USA on AC flights. If unloading is airline responsibility in Canada, then priority exists (e.g. EVA). Priority is almost always respected in Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong and to a slightly lesser extent, Thailand. Had poor experience on 6+ collections in mainland China.
Perhaps Air Canada counts on the sheepishness of Canadians and lack of recourse to offer a service that it does put much effort into.
Perhaps Air Canada counts on the sheepishness of Canadians and lack of recourse to offer a service that it does put much effort into.
Mar 27, 2023 | 3:27 pm
#52
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,698
AC 96 YUL-GRU last night. Flight landed at 8:13am, at the gate at 8:20am. I cleared customs and my bag was one of first out at 8:35am. I was out of the terminal by 8:45am.
Priority bags can work and its awesome when they do.
Priority bags can work and its awesome when they do.
Mar 27, 2023 | 3:37 pm
#53
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,357
I just don't think "sometimes priority bags come out first" is any different than "all bags come out in a random order".
Mar 27, 2023 | 3:58 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: St. John's, NL, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 75k
Posts: 26
Arriving at YYT, our priority bags are never first off. But it's usually the only flight and only an A220 so it doesn't matter so much. I have never seen priority bags get priority with AC.
I was recently impressed with UA when flying YYT-(AC)-YYZ-(AC)-SFO-(UA)-BUR. Upon dropping my bag with AC in YYT, I got a text from UA with information about tracking. Then from SFO through BUR I could see exactly when the bag was scanned on to the plane, and put onto the carousel. It came out first. Really shows how bad AC is by comparison.
I was recently impressed with UA when flying YYT-(AC)-YYZ-(AC)-SFO-(UA)-BUR. Upon dropping my bag with AC in YYT, I got a text from UA with information about tracking. Then from SFO through BUR I could see exactly when the bag was scanned on to the plane, and put onto the carousel. It came out first. Really shows how bad AC is by comparison.
Mar 28, 2023 | 1:07 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 6,245
My experience has been that priority handling is directly linked to the airline and counutry where performance/quality of service is valued. For example, if destination airport is in Canada and airline is Air Canada, priority means nothing. Similar experience in USA on AC flights. If unloading is airline responsibility in Canada, then priority exists (e.g. EVA). Priority is almost always respected in Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong and to a slightly lesser extent, Thailand. Had poor experience on 6+ collections in mainland China.
Perhaps Air Canada counts on the sheepishness of Canadians and lack of recourse to offer a service that it does put much effort into.
Perhaps Air Canada counts on the sheepishness of Canadians and lack of recourse to offer a service that it does put much effort into.
Mar 28, 2023 | 8:27 am
#56
Join Date: May 2021
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC
Posts: 27
I still remember one of my early experiences years ago at an AC priority check-in counter. "Last bags on, first bags off," I was told. Agent also added that they'll hold planes for them.
I often fly J with my mountain bike checked into priority. At YYZ and YVR, I often find that my bike arrives in oversized long before the other oversized bags from the same flight.
Mar 28, 2023 | 1:58 pm
#57
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC E75K *G
Posts: 7,242
The sun tends to shine out of my backside whenever I travel, so maybe this only applies to me.
We do not travel light. Usually 2-4 checked items if we are going away more than two nights. They almost always come off very close to the beginning of everything coming out. I can't remember the last time they didn't, either at our destination (variety of CA/US airports) or back in YOW.
Priority baggage is definitely a benefit. Mrs. Zorn is always impressed.
We do not travel light. Usually 2-4 checked items if we are going away more than two nights. They almost always come off very close to the beginning of everything coming out. I can't remember the last time they didn't, either at our destination (variety of CA/US airports) or back in YOW.
Priority baggage is definitely a benefit. Mrs. Zorn is always impressed.
Mar 28, 2023 | 9:20 pm
#58
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: YVR/YYZ
Posts: 53
I find priority baggage works everywhere outside of YYZ. At YVR I would say its within first 25 bags to come out. At YYZ Ive always waited a minimum of 30 minutes.
Last time at YYZ (Jan 14 I think) I waited 2 hours for priority baggage because they put a baggage cart to the side and forgot to unload it.
Last time at YYZ (Jan 14 I think) I waited 2 hours for priority baggage because they put a baggage cart to the side and forgot to unload it.
Mar 28, 2023 | 9:30 pm
#59
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,357
Mar 28, 2023 | 11:39 pm
#60
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: AC 75k
Posts: 815
Yeah, YYZ is its own rabbit hole. And by rabbit I mean "sh!te"
Multiple times I have waited almost an hour for my "Priority" baggage there. Couple of years back I can remember disembarking and watching all of my neighbors in J getting their luggage first only for me to wait until the end. I assume(d) it was because I came in on a connection.
Multiple times I have waited almost an hour for my "Priority" baggage there. Couple of years back I can remember disembarking and watching all of my neighbors in J getting their luggage first only for me to wait until the end. I assume(d) it was because I came in on a connection.