Aug 13, 2014, 3:03 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Lost baggage /luggage delay, loss, damage - advice, compensation, etc. (consolidated)
This is the archive of older posts for this subject. For the current thread, please see:
Lost baggage /luggage delay, loss, damage - advice, compensation, etc. (2015-onward)
Lost baggage /luggage delay, loss, damage - advice, compensation, etc. (2015-onward)
Track your bags Link
September 18, 2015:
Hello, Addressee,
AAdvantage Platinum Number:
You can now follow your checked bags from check-in to carousel with your smartphone, laptop or tablet. See real-time information about your bag's status, including when your bag is checked in, on a plane or at baggage claim. All you need is your bag tag number or your record locator.
And, if your flight has Wi-Fi onboard, you can track your bags in the air for free.
Here's how to get started:Keep track of your bags from check-in to touchdown using your record locator or bag tag number.
Hello, Addressee,
AAdvantage Platinum Number:
You can now follow your checked bags from check-in to carousel with your smartphone, laptop or tablet. See real-time information about your bag's status, including when your bag is checked in, on a plane or at baggage claim. All you need is your bag tag number or your record locator.
And, if your flight has Wi-Fi onboard, you can track your bags in the air for free.
Here's how to get started:
- Go to aa.com/baggage
- Click "Track your bags"
- Enter your last name and bag tag # or record locator
American Airlines: Delayed Baggage
:Baggage delayed less than 5 days
Phone: +1-800-535-5225
24 hours, 7 days a week
Baggage delayed longer than 5 days
See www.aa.com/bagstatus for further information.
Phone: +1-800-535-5225
24 hours, 7 days a week
Baggage delayed longer than 5 days
See www.aa.com/bagstatus for further information.
American Airlines: Delayed or missing baggage:
We do our best to ensure that your checked bag travels on the same flight with you. If your bag does not arrive on your flight, our goal is to return your bag to you within 24 hours. The measures may take longer for international itineraries due to flight frequency or Customs and Immigration procedures.
Note: These procedures apply when American Airlines or American Eagle are taking you to your final destination.
If you are unable to locate your checked bag:
Notify an American Airlines/American Eagle baggage service agent prior to leaving the airport (If you purchased the American Airlines baggage delivery service provided through BAGS VIP Luggage Delivery in advance of travel, notification must be made within 12 hours of the arrival of the flight on which you traveled.)
If your bag isn't located in five (5) days:
We do our best to ensure that your checked bag travels on the same flight with you. If your bag does not arrive on your flight, our goal is to return your bag to you within 24 hours. The measures may take longer for international itineraries due to flight frequency or Customs and Immigration procedures.
Note: These procedures apply when American Airlines or American Eagle are taking you to your final destination.
If you are unable to locate your checked bag:
Notify an American Airlines/American Eagle baggage service agent prior to leaving the airport (If you purchased the American Airlines baggage delivery service provided through BAGS VIP Luggage Delivery in advance of travel, notification must be made within 12 hours of the arrival of the flight on which you traveled.)
- You will be given a confidential file locator ID and a brochure explaining the recovery process
- Our Baggage Service desk will contact you periodically to keep you informed of our progress in locating your bag (aspirational statement)
- Refer to your confidential six-letter file locator (not your PNR) in all conversation and correspondence regarding your delayed bag
- Use your last name and confidential six-letter baggage file locator (not your PNR)to check the status of your bag.Check Baggage Status
- Central Baggage Service will take over the tracing effort
- Fill out and return a Property Questionnaire within 30 days from the date you traveled
- Available on the 6th day at www.aa.com/bagstatus.
- Mailed to your permanent address within 10 days of your travel date.
- Complete the questionnaire in its entirety including specific details such as colors, sizes, brand names and logos as well as information such as book titles, medication, electronics, gifts, souvenirs and food items
- Retain a copy for your records
Damaged baggage:
Prompt notification of a damaged bag helps us get your property to you promptly therefore all American Airlines and American Eagle airport locations are equipped to handle the initial report, evaluation and settlement of damage claims. If your bag is damaged, please notify us:
Please notify us as soon as possible. Failure to report damage to baggage within the prescribed time limit releases American Airlines and American Eagle from any liability.
Prompt notification of a damaged bag helps us get your property to you promptly therefore all American Airlines and American Eagle airport locations are equipped to handle the initial report, evaluation and settlement of damage claims. If your bag is damaged, please notify us:
- In person before leaving the airport
- At the latest, within 24 hours after you receive your bag for domestic itineraries
- Within 7 days for international itineraries
Notice regarding damage to wheels, handles, and other components of checked baggage
Baggage_Guidance_rev_11242015.pdf (link)
About this Document
In September 2015, the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) conducted extensive inspections of U.S. and foreign air carriers’ operations at 16 U.S. airports. The Enforcement Office found, among other things, that carriers routinely exclude from liability damage to specific parts of checked baggage, such as wheels, straps, zippers, handles, and protruding parts. Carriers often post signs indicating that they categorically refuse to compensate passengers for such items. In some instances, carrier agents also discouraged or refused to accept reports of such damage.
Baggage_Guidance_rev_11242015.pdf (link)
About this Document
In September 2015, the Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (Enforcement Office) conducted extensive inspections of U.S. and foreign air carriers’ operations at 16 U.S. airports. The Enforcement Office found, among other things, that carriers routinely exclude from liability damage to specific parts of checked baggage, such as wheels, straps, zippers, handles, and protruding parts. Carriers often post signs indicating that they categorically refuse to compensate passengers for such items. In some instances, carrier agents also discouraged or refused to accept reports of such damage.
Link to aa.com Delayed Baggage; FAQ.
Link to aa.com LIABILITY LIMITATIONS regarding baggage - but see
USDOT reminder to airlines compensation is due for damaged wheels, straps, etc.
Link to aa.com DAMAGED BAGGAGE
Link to aa.com Delayed Baggage tracking form (need baggage claim file locator number to use)
American Airlines Conditions of Carriage (See BAGGAGE et seq., including Liability.)
Q. What can I do to help prevent or resolve baggage loss?
Others suggest:
- Don't place valuables in your checked baggage; such loss is generally not covered by airline policy. Some airports have higher pilferage and theft rates.
- Have two baggage tags, affixed at different points on each bag; handles do get torn off.
- Use a baggage belt: some have TSA-approved locks, and a belt may keep your bag from spilling contents if it becomes damaged. A bright color helps distinguish your bag from similar ones.
- Add a pom, ribbon or other device enabling you - and others - to distinguish your bag from similar / identical bags.
- Have identifying information and an itinerary inside your case where it will be seen if the bag is opened (which will occur if external tags are lost). Some use an itinerary tag such as this Magellan's retriever tags.
- Have a photo or two of your bags on your smartphone to show the baggage clerk exactly what your bag looks like.
- Don't use high end luggage; fancy, famous brands and fine finishes make your bag a target of thieves.
- Airline status tags mark your bag as belonging to a high value customer, but nobody's provided evidence that helps. Some have reported status tagged bags may be targeted for delays during industrial actions such as employee slowdowns or strikes.
Updated: 31 Dec 2015
ARCHIVE: Lost baggage /luggage delay, loss, damage - advice, etc. (pre-2018)
Aug 7, 2009, 11:21 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
Cheers.
Aug 7, 2009, 12:08 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,570
Brp's conjecture may explain why AA was willing to give us each a couple of hundred on top of the reimbursement for expenses.
Re Dallas49er's reminder to remember the FT way, I should have mentioned that my husband kept politely pushing the matter up the chain at AA and didn't settle for their first offer.
Re Dallas49er's reminder to remember the FT way, I should have mentioned that my husband kept politely pushing the matter up the chain at AA and didn't settle for their first offer.
Aug 7, 2009, 6:13 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
No I did not purchase travel insurance.
Well everybody has a diff perspective on what is acceptable. For me, this was the first cruise for the whole family and we had spent a lot of money for the whole vacation and planning the trip for months. It definitely was a huge disappointment e.g. my wife complaining about no clothes or cosmetics, no night dress to wear for anybody, no swimming costumes for the kids, having to laundry everyday, no shorts or tshirts to relax in, spending hours trying to find reasonable priced clothing (everything was in the $50 - $100 ranges, shaving with disposable razors, spending hours on the phone with AA and Cruise line people instead of enjoying the trip etc. I could go on and on...
Having spent over $5K, this was no way to have a relaxing and fun vacation. Who knows when we will take the next cruise.
Well everybody has a diff perspective on what is acceptable. For me, this was the first cruise for the whole family and we had spent a lot of money for the whole vacation and planning the trip for months. It definitely was a huge disappointment e.g. my wife complaining about no clothes or cosmetics, no night dress to wear for anybody, no swimming costumes for the kids, having to laundry everyday, no shorts or tshirts to relax in, spending hours trying to find reasonable priced clothing (everything was in the $50 - $100 ranges, shaving with disposable razors, spending hours on the phone with AA and Cruise line people instead of enjoying the trip etc. I could go on and on...
Having spent over $5K, this was no way to have a relaxing and fun vacation. Who knows when we will take the next cruise.
You should have known flight delays do happen, and one should always fly in embarkation port 1 day early. Sometimes if your port is far away, such as Whitier or Seward for an Alaska cruise, you need to make sure the flight arrival time as the port is a good 2+ or 4+ hours away - and should your flight miss connection, thus have to take the next day flight, it may still cause you to miss your ship!
Secondly, you should pack in a way that the whole family's stuff spread out in different bags, i.e. a bag contains some clothings for EVERYONE, in hope not all bags got lost in the transit.
You should go to Cruisecritic.com to look up the very good write-ups to guide the first time cruisers.
Better planning next time, you would have a much more enjoyable and stress-free cruise.
Aug 7, 2009, 6:19 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: FLL -> Where The Boyars Are
Programs: AA EXP 1.7 M, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*, AARP Sophomore, 14-time Croix de Candlestick
Posts: 18,669
I understand that vacations are expensive for large families. However, I really urge you to look into travel insurance from a travel insurance company (not the airline) in the future. A number of incidents (such as lost luggage, medical expenses, trips cancelled due to illness, etc) can and do happen. I would just suggest doing the research now for your next trip.
Aug 7, 2009, 6:31 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
I have a question - if the OP had booked his family's air travel through the cruise line's Air/Sea department instead of independently, would the cruise line not have been responsible for getting the missing bags to the ship ASAP? (If true, I would also guess that the cruise line's reps might have had more clout than a single traveler).
You should read the fine print of the cruiseline, they are acting as "agents" to provide air transportation for the convenience of the passengers, but in no form or fashion, be responsible for any mishap caused by airlines. On top of that, the air tickets you got from cruiselines, are Consolidator tickets.
There are enough horror stories posted in the forums of Cruisecritic.com, and the horror stories applied to every mass-market cruiseline.
Read this sticky to understand the peril of so-called "Cruise Air".
In fact, all stickies on that particular forum, are well-worth reading, even for people who cruise frequently. We cruise at least one to two times a year, and I still find info new to me every now and then.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=128
Aug 7, 2009, 7:17 pm
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
First of all, I agree when go from airplane to cruise, do anything you can to leave at least an extra day between arrival in the port and departure of the ship, and do anything you can to avoid checking luggage. It is something when I take my three kids on a cruise, I spend extra time planning (the packing) so we do carry-on only, including several 10 and 14 day cruises.
That said, in your case I would request the entire amount, and see what happens.
Last year going JFK-BGI I was made to check my tumi roller that I had forever taken on AA as part of their at the time carry-on crack down. I was connecting from BGI via a private plane onto a small island that was also served by AE from SJU, but anyway, I chose to go via BGI. Needless to say when I got to BGI, my checked bag was not there. Now keep in mind that I am hanging out on the tarmac at BGI near the FBO (private jet terminal) a bit concerned since it was up to the staff from the jet company to pull by bag from AA. At any rate, one of the AA people came over to me and confirmed it had not come on the plane, so it must be in NY. We filled out all the paperwork, I got on my charter and headed off with my gf on vacation.
I called as soon as I got to the resort, and AA had not located the bag. Day 2 they had not located the bag either, so it was a bit concerning, and several calls, etc. left the unsettling feeling the bag might be gone forever since it hadn't been located. At that point I had with me a USA Today in which there was an interview with a SVP at AA discussing how they were trying to improve customer service. I had spent at this point probably about $400 - polo shirts and shorts, swim trunks, etc. which at the resort store were expensive, but the only place to buy anything on the island.
I wrote him a very polite email identifying myself as a 5 million mile AA customer, seeking his help in tracking the bag since the only thing AA lost baggage could say if it hadn't been located by Day 5 file a claim.
Within a couple hours I got an email from the SVP and a phone call from the GM or MD of AA at JFK. They were apologetic and said they had made personal searches at JFK, MIA and SJU to no avail, but would do so again at the end of the day and again the next day as sometimes bags just show up.
At any rate, on Day 4 there was a knock on my door a voila, my bag. On Day 5, AA Baggage called me to begin the process of claiming my lost bag. In other words, AA didn't know they returned it to me. I told the person I had received my bag, which really seemed to stun him, because they had no record of ever finding it. I then took the time to re-contact the SVP, tell him what happened and thank him for his attempts to help. He asked if there was any expenses I incurred, and I told him I picked up some clothes, but it was things I would have bought anyway. A couple weeks later I got a transferrable travel voucher of some sort worth $500. The point is there is no reason not to ask, just be reasonable and polite. Also if you are not getting what you believe are adequate responses, escalate your cause to the executive ranks.
That said, in your case I would request the entire amount, and see what happens.
Last year going JFK-BGI I was made to check my tumi roller that I had forever taken on AA as part of their at the time carry-on crack down. I was connecting from BGI via a private plane onto a small island that was also served by AE from SJU, but anyway, I chose to go via BGI. Needless to say when I got to BGI, my checked bag was not there. Now keep in mind that I am hanging out on the tarmac at BGI near the FBO (private jet terminal) a bit concerned since it was up to the staff from the jet company to pull by bag from AA. At any rate, one of the AA people came over to me and confirmed it had not come on the plane, so it must be in NY. We filled out all the paperwork, I got on my charter and headed off with my gf on vacation.
I called as soon as I got to the resort, and AA had not located the bag. Day 2 they had not located the bag either, so it was a bit concerning, and several calls, etc. left the unsettling feeling the bag might be gone forever since it hadn't been located. At that point I had with me a USA Today in which there was an interview with a SVP at AA discussing how they were trying to improve customer service. I had spent at this point probably about $400 - polo shirts and shorts, swim trunks, etc. which at the resort store were expensive, but the only place to buy anything on the island.
I wrote him a very polite email identifying myself as a 5 million mile AA customer, seeking his help in tracking the bag since the only thing AA lost baggage could say if it hadn't been located by Day 5 file a claim.
Within a couple hours I got an email from the SVP and a phone call from the GM or MD of AA at JFK. They were apologetic and said they had made personal searches at JFK, MIA and SJU to no avail, but would do so again at the end of the day and again the next day as sometimes bags just show up.
At any rate, on Day 4 there was a knock on my door a voila, my bag. On Day 5, AA Baggage called me to begin the process of claiming my lost bag. In other words, AA didn't know they returned it to me. I told the person I had received my bag, which really seemed to stun him, because they had no record of ever finding it. I then took the time to re-contact the SVP, tell him what happened and thank him for his attempts to help. He asked if there was any expenses I incurred, and I told him I picked up some clothes, but it was things I would have bought anyway. A couple weeks later I got a transferrable travel voucher of some sort worth $500. The point is there is no reason not to ask, just be reasonable and polite. Also if you are not getting what you believe are adequate responses, escalate your cause to the executive ranks.
Aug 8, 2009, 6:22 am
#22
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SAN
Programs: AA EXP 4 MM, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 884
If they had purchased travel insurance for their cruise to include their flight costs then the insurance company would have compensated them for their lost baggage.
Aug 8, 2009, 5:23 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO
Posts: 1,719
Okay, I'm going to be a little more generous with AA's money than the people above but not much more, since the situation probably could have been avoided. Bottom line: I think you are entitled to full reimbursement for what you bought, as long as you present the receipts.
People just need to be realistic about travel and prepare better. If you absolutely need checked baggage and loss would be catastrophic to the trip, then plan to arrive a day early. If I'm headed to Nepal for a month long mountain trek and my bags are delayed, should AA have to buy me thousands of dollars worth of expensive gear? No, it would be up to me to arrive a day or two before my trek departs.
Aug 10, 2009, 7:47 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
First of all, I agree when go from airplane to cruise, do anything you can to leave at least an extra day between arrival in the port and departure of the ship, and do anything you can to avoid checking luggage. It is something when I take my three kids on a cruise, I spend extra time planning (the packing) so we do carry-on only, including several 10 and 14 day cruises.
That said, in your case I would request the entire amount, and see what happens.
Last year going JFK-BGI I was made to check my tumi roller that I had forever taken on AA as part of their at the time carry-on crack down. I was connecting from BGI via a private plane onto a small island that was also served by AE from SJU, but anyway, I chose to go via BGI. Needless to say when I got to BGI, my checked bag was not there. Now keep in mind that I am hanging out on the tarmac at BGI near the FBO (private jet terminal) a bit concerned since it was up to the staff from the jet company to pull by bag from AA. At any rate, one of the AA people came over to me and confirmed it had not come on the plane, so it must be in NY. We filled out all the paperwork, I got on my charter and headed off with my gf on vacation.
I called as soon as I got to the resort, and AA had not located the bag. Day 2 they had not located the bag either, so it was a bit concerning, and several calls, etc. left the unsettling feeling the bag might be gone forever since it hadn't been located. At that point I had with me a USA Today in which there was an interview with a SVP at AA discussing how they were trying to improve customer service. I had spent at this point probably about $400 - polo shirts and shorts, swim trunks, etc. which at the resort store were expensive, but the only place to buy anything on the island.
I wrote him a very polite email identifying myself as a 5 million mile AA customer, seeking his help in tracking the bag since the only thing AA lost baggage could say if it hadn't been located by Day 5 file a claim.
Within a couple hours I got an email from the SVP and a phone call from the GM or MD of AA at JFK. They were apologetic and said they had made personal searches at JFK, MIA and SJU to no avail, but would do so again at the end of the day and again the next day as sometimes bags just show up.
At any rate, on Day 4 there was a knock on my door a voila, my bag. On Day 5, AA Baggage called me to begin the process of claiming my lost bag. In other words, AA didn't know they returned it to me. I told the person I had received my bag, which really seemed to stun him, because they had no record of ever finding it. I then took the time to re-contact the SVP, tell him what happened and thank him for his attempts to help. He asked if there was any expenses I incurred, and I told him I picked up some clothes, but it was things I would have bought anyway. A couple weeks later I got a transferrable travel voucher of some sort worth $500. The point is there is no reason not to ask, just be reasonable and polite. Also if you are not getting what you believe are adequate responses, escalate your cause to the executive ranks.
That said, in your case I would request the entire amount, and see what happens.
Last year going JFK-BGI I was made to check my tumi roller that I had forever taken on AA as part of their at the time carry-on crack down. I was connecting from BGI via a private plane onto a small island that was also served by AE from SJU, but anyway, I chose to go via BGI. Needless to say when I got to BGI, my checked bag was not there. Now keep in mind that I am hanging out on the tarmac at BGI near the FBO (private jet terminal) a bit concerned since it was up to the staff from the jet company to pull by bag from AA. At any rate, one of the AA people came over to me and confirmed it had not come on the plane, so it must be in NY. We filled out all the paperwork, I got on my charter and headed off with my gf on vacation.
I called as soon as I got to the resort, and AA had not located the bag. Day 2 they had not located the bag either, so it was a bit concerning, and several calls, etc. left the unsettling feeling the bag might be gone forever since it hadn't been located. At that point I had with me a USA Today in which there was an interview with a SVP at AA discussing how they were trying to improve customer service. I had spent at this point probably about $400 - polo shirts and shorts, swim trunks, etc. which at the resort store were expensive, but the only place to buy anything on the island.
I wrote him a very polite email identifying myself as a 5 million mile AA customer, seeking his help in tracking the bag since the only thing AA lost baggage could say if it hadn't been located by Day 5 file a claim.
Within a couple hours I got an email from the SVP and a phone call from the GM or MD of AA at JFK. They were apologetic and said they had made personal searches at JFK, MIA and SJU to no avail, but would do so again at the end of the day and again the next day as sometimes bags just show up.
At any rate, on Day 4 there was a knock on my door a voila, my bag. On Day 5, AA Baggage called me to begin the process of claiming my lost bag. In other words, AA didn't know they returned it to me. I told the person I had received my bag, which really seemed to stun him, because they had no record of ever finding it. I then took the time to re-contact the SVP, tell him what happened and thank him for his attempts to help. He asked if there was any expenses I incurred, and I told him I picked up some clothes, but it was things I would have bought anyway. A couple weeks later I got a transferrable travel voucher of some sort worth $500. The point is there is no reason not to ask, just be reasonable and polite. Also if you are not getting what you believe are adequate responses, escalate your cause to the executive ranks.
I don't think such a policy is realistic - it would likely be abused. People will just spend outrageously on things they'd never otherwise buy since it's free. Then you'll get people who book tickets intentionally where the bags are likely to misconnect then spend lavishly at the destination for reimbursement.
People just need to be realistic about travel and prepare better. If you absolutely need checked baggage and loss would be catastrophic to the trip, then plan to arrive a day early. If I'm headed to Nepal for a month long mountain trek and my bags are delayed, should AA have to buy me thousands of dollars worth of expensive gear? No, it would be up to me to arrive a day or two before my trek departs.
People just need to be realistic about travel and prepare better. If you absolutely need checked baggage and loss would be catastrophic to the trip, then plan to arrive a day early. If I'm headed to Nepal for a month long mountain trek and my bags are delayed, should AA have to buy me thousands of dollars worth of expensive gear? No, it would be up to me to arrive a day or two before my trek departs.
Mike
Aug 10, 2009, 8:48 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: AA EXP, HLT GLD, SPG GLD
Posts: 174
Some good suggestions in the replies - so to summarize:
1. Always arrive the day before you are to begin a "long/extended" journey from your main arrival destination (such as a Cruise or train/road travel).
2. Buy travel insurance - for an expensive, non-refundable vacation
3. (My motto for more than travel) - Plan for the worst, hope for the best
Also, did you purchase your tickets (airline) using a credit card? If so, have you checked the travel insurance section of your CC benefits? Depending on the benefits - you may have a claim to make there as well. I know my Amex would pay for a lot of the expenses you're talking about.
Take care
1. Always arrive the day before you are to begin a "long/extended" journey from your main arrival destination (such as a Cruise or train/road travel).
2. Buy travel insurance - for an expensive, non-refundable vacation
3. (My motto for more than travel) - Plan for the worst, hope for the best
Also, did you purchase your tickets (airline) using a credit card? If so, have you checked the travel insurance section of your CC benefits? Depending on the benefits - you may have a claim to make there as well. I know my Amex would pay for a lot of the expenses you're talking about.
Take care
Aug 10, 2009, 9:00 am
#26
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
While I agree with, and practice myself, the very sensible option of flying a day early to a cruise, in the OP's case this would have been irrelevant. They could not find his bags for 4 days, so even if he had flown in a day early, the bags would still have been missing for 3 days!
Aug 10, 2009, 4:13 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Plat
Posts: 576
While I agree with, and practice myself, the very sensible option of flying a day early to a cruise, in the OP's case this would have been irrelevant. They could not find his bags for 4 days, so even if he had flown in a day early, the bags would still have been missing for 3 days!
Aug 10, 2009, 5:28 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Texas
Programs: American Airlines British Airways
Posts: 1,752
As I said before, ship them to the hotel or the ship.
Aug 10, 2009, 6:26 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
I'm sorry, but most people are not going to do that. One would expect your bags to show up on time or at the worst the next day. Telling him he should have sent them directly to the ship is not helpful. What I find disturbing is that every time he asked the story was either they were on their way or had not been found at all.
Aug 10, 2009, 6:52 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
I'm sorry, but most people are not going to do that. One would expect your bags to show up on time or at the worst the next day. Telling him he should have sent them directly to the ship is not helpful. What I find disturbing is that every time he asked the story was either they were on their way or had not been found at all.
Actually, you miss an important piece of the info in OP's post - they almost MISSED their ship because he had to file loss baggage claim and spent couple hours at the airport.
Even not for any baggage issue, it is, I am sorry to say that, downright stupid to fly in on the day of sailing, and only allow a few hours to go to the pier which in OP's case, is from LAX to Long Beach. (Unlike FLL and Port Everglade, which are pretty much just accross I-95). What if there is a flight delay? He will be totally SOL.
Regarding the tracking of luggage - it is not unusual the airline cannot pinpoint where the luggages are, once they went astray. A friend went to MAD last year on IB. IB lost his luggage. The bag eventually caught up with him Day 5 at Granada - that was, he already left Madrid for Cordoba, and then Seville, and arrived Granada - that was when the luggage finally caught up with him.