The Case of the Disappearing Priority Tags
Apr 11, 2019, 11:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Erstwhile Accidental AC E35K
Posts: 2,917
The Case of the Disappearing Priority Tags
So it happened again: I watched the check-in agent diligently apply the priority tags. Arrive at destination and the first slug of bags come out, maybe 40 or so. Some have priority tags, some do not. Then nothing for ~10 minutes. The next slug of bags comes out, mine among them. Curiously, the priority tags are missing.
This is not the first time this has happened. Is it just me, or are the bag handlers swiping the tags to cover up?
This is not the first time this has happened. Is it just me, or are the bag handlers swiping the tags to cover up?
Apr 11, 2019, 11:24 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,232
Seems odd that they would swipe them - I mean, what's the exposure there?
I suspect they just fell off or got ripped off in the baggage mangling system.
I suspect they just fell off or got ripped off in the baggage mangling system.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:32 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
Is the tag completely missing? Sometime the tag gets ripped off during handling, in this case part of the priority tag still stick to the larger tag.
Also may I ask what’s your iteniery? Asking because some baggage handlers claims that they remove tags from “non qualifying” bags, and they think they know the rules. Happened to me once on a J to Y iteniery at YVR.
Also may I ask what’s your iteniery? Asking because some baggage handlers claims that they remove tags from “non qualifying” bags, and they think they know the rules. Happened to me once on a J to Y iteniery at YVR.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:33 am
#5
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I didn't notice this in the *A FT forum... unless this is really old news, or it simply was never posted in that forum... a friend/colleague of mine received priority baggage tags yesterday.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:42 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
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As far as AC goes...the rumour is that everything will be determined from the bag tag bar codes and yes, priority tags will be phased out, but it is not imminent from what I was told twice just last week. Heck, my missing bags due to the YVR baggage handlers and the new standby tag (or lack thereof) system prove that bar codes do not magically make things happen the way they should.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:43 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
Apr 11, 2019, 11:44 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: *G
Posts: 2,304
It's a while since this has happened to me. The first time, the bag came out late as the OP's did and the priority tag had been neatly cut off - definitely not a mangled situation. My suspicion at the time was similar -removed as an excuse for late delivery.
But then it happened on one of those cases travelling on points from a non status passenger. Since the priority is in fact built into the tag bar code, the agent said that even if she put the tag on, it would be removed in the Baggage room - and it was. At the time, I marvelled that AC would not only make it difficult to have one's own status recognized, but would actually go out of their way to make sure of it.
But then it happened on one of those cases travelling on points from a non status passenger. Since the priority is in fact built into the tag bar code, the agent said that even if she put the tag on, it would be removed in the Baggage room - and it was. At the time, I marvelled that AC would not only make it difficult to have one's own status recognized, but would actually go out of their way to make sure of it.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:44 am
#12
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That's what I thought/think too. Then why even have the priority tags in the first place? Easier to spot? Ego?
Anyway, it's almost moot at YYZ given that priority baggage comes out middle to last more often than not.
Anyway, it's almost moot at YYZ given that priority baggage comes out middle to last more often than not.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:47 am
#13
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Twice I've traveled with a non-status pax in Y, and the bags were all given priority tags, but checked under our individual names. In both cases, my bag(s) came out in the first batch, priority tag intact, and my friend's came out in the last batch, with the priority tag having been ripped off.
OP's profile says E35K, which is not eligible for priority tags. Were you in J? If not, regardless of whether the physical tag were applied, you wouldn't be eligible, so it would not surprise me to have them ripped off at some point, and for them to be treated as non-priority.
OP's profile says E35K, which is not eligible for priority tags. Were you in J? If not, regardless of whether the physical tag were applied, you wouldn't be eligible, so it would not surprise me to have them ripped off at some point, and for them to be treated as non-priority.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:49 am
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2007
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Posts: 2,917
It was also curious that both bar codes had large green or red felt pen streaks through them. I'm not sure of the significance, or if this would interfere with the reading of the bar code.
Apr 11, 2019, 11:56 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Erstwhile Accidental AC E35K
Posts: 2,917
Oh. Just noticed that. I get free bags @ 32 kg but no priority any more. Another enhancement, I guess.
This was an AE ticket booked on Mrs. Sopwith's account. At OLCI it wouldn't take my AE number so forced me to pay US$80.00 for the bags. Do I have any recourse?
This was an AE ticket booked on Mrs. Sopwith's account. At OLCI it wouldn't take my AE number so forced me to pay US$80.00 for the bags. Do I have any recourse?