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)
Dec 10, 2013, 5:35 am
#406
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I Wish this was that simple.... the point is, I have 2 PS4s on that bag.
PS4s in US goes for 400 usd, in Brazil 1.6k USD... yes... I'm not joking, just google ps4 brazil and you will see... I know that they have a cap for 1.7k usd per bag, and, the replacement cost here is Brazil is way beyond that... If they do not found my bag, I think that I will need to take them to the court for the replacement cost of the items.
PS4s in US goes for 400 usd, in Brazil 1.6k USD... yes... I'm not joking, just google ps4 brazil and you will see... I know that they have a cap for 1.7k usd per bag, and, the replacement cost here is Brazil is way beyond that... If they do not found my bag, I think that I will need to take them to the court for the replacement cost of the items.
If you bought them just before the flight for $400, the most you would get is $400
Dec 14, 2013, 9:28 am
#407
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Florida
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 192
lost baggage question
My daughter was to travel ABZ-LHR-ORD-FLL, with the first leg on BA and the other two on AA. (All booked thru AA). She missed LHR-ORD, due to fog delay, and was rerouted LHR-ATL-FLL on BA and DL. Luggage did not show up in ATL, and she filled out a BA lost luggage claim. After almost three days, the status tracker site (WorldTracer) just says TRACING CONTINUES. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER and calls to BA just go to an automated site that repeats this status. However, clicking on the actual BA tag number under tag details shows a pop-up claiming the bag went LHR-ORD on AA last night, but no indication of any further movement. There seems to be no way to do an inquiry using BA numbers on the AA site.
Is there any way to figure out what's happening with the bag through either AA or BA? If it doesn't show up, does she pursue a claim through AA or BA?
Thanks for any advice
Is there any way to figure out what's happening with the bag through either AA or BA? If it doesn't show up, does she pursue a claim through AA or BA?
Thanks for any advice
Dec 14, 2013, 10:01 am
#408
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum! PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests
) will help get you in the right place.~Moderator
Dec 14, 2013, 11:34 am
#409
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
My daughter was to travel ABZ-LHR-ORD-FLL, with the first leg on BA and the other two on AA. (All booked thru AA). She missed LHR-ORD, due to fog delay, and was rerouted LHR-ATL-FLL on BA and DL. Luggage did not show up in ATL, and she filled out a BA lost luggage claim. After almost three days, the status tracker site (WorldTracer) just says TRACING CONTINUES. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER and calls to BA just go to an automated site that repeats this status. However, clicking on the actual BA tag number under tag details shows a pop-up claiming the bag went LHR-ORD on AA last night, but no indication of any further movement. There seems to be no way to do an inquiry using BA numbers on the AA site.
Is there any way to figure out what's happening with the bag through either AA or BA? If it doesn't show up, does she pursue a claim through AA or BA?
Thanks for any advice
Is there any way to figure out what's happening with the bag through either AA or BA? If it doesn't show up, does she pursue a claim through AA or BA?
Thanks for any advice
I suspect AA will send the bag to FLL. Do they have her address in FLL?
Dec 15, 2013, 12:40 pm
#410
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Florida
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 192
Baggage liability, AFAIK belongs to the last carrier, but I don't know what happens in IRROPS to a another carrier, or in this case when the bag doesn't show up after flying the first carrier. Has she contacted AA?
I suspect AA will send the bag to FLL. Do they have her address in FLL?
I suspect AA will send the bag to FLL. Do they have her address in FLL?
Dec 15, 2013, 11:25 pm
#411
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Santa Monica, Ca
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 94
Luggage problems
Normally not a checked luggage person I thought the half hour wait at LAX the other day after a Miami flight was a problem until this popped up on my Facebook feed (the complaint writer is a very senior executive with a leading international Financial Services company. She's been in the US for a couple of months: studying innovation....)
<name redacted for privacy reason> -American Airlines
Sadly- my holidays and my children's are ruined thanks to American Airlines- arrived in New York with 1 month of extreme winter travel ahead of me for business purposes ( including through Canada) and you lost my Samsonite Ultralight swivel wheel suitcase with ALL my clothes, shoes, winter warm things AND Christmas presents for the kids.
I last saw my suitcase lifted onto the conveyor belt at SEATAC at 6:05 am Saturday 14 Dec bound for direct flight AA236 to JFK- wearing a bright orange Priority Check label.
It never arrived at JFK and, since then…no word from you- no updates to the online File locator. The worst part is the experience of dealing with your impersonal bureaucracy and detachment. One pays a first class fare expecting some semblance of service. The lost baggage officer at JFK didn't even bother completing the record locator with all the information I provided. 30 hours later, no updates, no phone call to help me understand what happens next, how I am supposed to get by without clothes? The website is not much more helpful in terms of what are next steps? I think that is really poor.
Your Twitter team is working hard to try and help but they are clearly hamstrung by an incompetent baggage management system. There were no delays out of Seattle, no snow, no dramas….why did the baggage load team in Seattle sign off on their control record with a bag missing? How can it not be found?
And this is what my bag looks like. http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-LIFT...f=cts_ap_2_fbt
<name redacted for privacy reason> -American Airlines
Sadly- my holidays and my children's are ruined thanks to American Airlines- arrived in New York with 1 month of extreme winter travel ahead of me for business purposes ( including through Canada) and you lost my Samsonite Ultralight swivel wheel suitcase with ALL my clothes, shoes, winter warm things AND Christmas presents for the kids.
I last saw my suitcase lifted onto the conveyor belt at SEATAC at 6:05 am Saturday 14 Dec bound for direct flight AA236 to JFK- wearing a bright orange Priority Check label.
It never arrived at JFK and, since then…no word from you- no updates to the online File locator. The worst part is the experience of dealing with your impersonal bureaucracy and detachment. One pays a first class fare expecting some semblance of service. The lost baggage officer at JFK didn't even bother completing the record locator with all the information I provided. 30 hours later, no updates, no phone call to help me understand what happens next, how I am supposed to get by without clothes? The website is not much more helpful in terms of what are next steps? I think that is really poor.
Your Twitter team is working hard to try and help but they are clearly hamstrung by an incompetent baggage management system. There were no delays out of Seattle, no snow, no dramas….why did the baggage load team in Seattle sign off on their control record with a bag missing? How can it not be found?
And this is what my bag looks like. http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-LIFT...f=cts_ap_2_fbt
Last edited by Microwave; Dec 16, 2013 at 1:04 am Reason: Removed name for privacy reasons
Dec 16, 2013, 1:06 am
#412
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Normally not a checked luggage person I thought the half hour wait at LAX the other day after a Miami flight was a problem until this popped up on my Facebook feed (the complaint writer is a very senior executive with a leading international Financial Services company.
Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum! PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests
) will help get you in the right place.~Moderator
Dec 16, 2013, 6:50 am
#413
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Normally not a checked luggage person I thought the half hour wait at LAX the other day after a Miami flight was a problem until this popped up on my Facebook feed (the complaint writer is a very senior executive with a leading international Financial Services company. She's been in the US for a couple of months: studying innovation....)
<name redacted for privacy reason> -American Airlines
Sadly- my holidays and my children's are ruined thanks to American Airlines- arrived in New York with 1 month of extreme winter travel ahead of me for business purposes ( including through Canada) and you lost my Samsonite Ultralight swivel wheel suitcase with ALL my clothes, shoes, winter warm things AND Christmas presents for the kids.
I last saw my suitcase lifted onto the conveyor belt at SEATAC at 6:05 am Saturday 14 Dec bound for direct flight AA236 to JFK- wearing a bright orange Priority Check label.
<name redacted for privacy reason> -American Airlines
Sadly- my holidays and my children's are ruined thanks to American Airlines- arrived in New York with 1 month of extreme winter travel ahead of me for business purposes ( including through Canada) and you lost my Samsonite Ultralight swivel wheel suitcase with ALL my clothes, shoes, winter warm things AND Christmas presents for the kids.
I last saw my suitcase lifted onto the conveyor belt at SEATAC at 6:05 am Saturday 14 Dec bound for direct flight AA236 to JFK- wearing a bright orange Priority Check label.
Dec 16, 2013, 10:21 am
#414
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 1,046
Be cautious changing flights with checked bags
As others may have mentioned, be very skeptical when AA staff tells you they can move your checked luggage to a different flight.
At the LAX First Class Lounge, the woman behind the desk wanted to move me from AA2447 to AA2450. I had just arrived on QF11 which was 90min late and the reason I scheduled a late connection. When I cautioned her that I had checked bags, she told me that there was plenty of time to locate and move them to the earlier flight. With that assurance, I let her move me.
When I arrived at DFW, my bags were nowhere to found, I went to talk to AA staff. I explained to him that AA had proactively moved me to an earlier flight even though I had checked bags. I was being grilled when I last saw my bags and if they had ever arrived at LAX. I informed him that I picked up my bags at LAX for customs and handed them off to be re-checked. I discovered that they were still on my earlier flight.
Lesson learned is not to allow AA to place you on an earlier flight if you have checked luggage. Amusingly, a year ago on a connection from MIA to DFW. AA had placed my bags on an earlier flight without notifying me.
At the LAX First Class Lounge, the woman behind the desk wanted to move me from AA2447 to AA2450. I had just arrived on QF11 which was 90min late and the reason I scheduled a late connection. When I cautioned her that I had checked bags, she told me that there was plenty of time to locate and move them to the earlier flight. With that assurance, I let her move me.
When I arrived at DFW, my bags were nowhere to found, I went to talk to AA staff. I explained to him that AA had proactively moved me to an earlier flight even though I had checked bags. I was being grilled when I last saw my bags and if they had ever arrived at LAX. I informed him that I picked up my bags at LAX for customs and handed them off to be re-checked. I discovered that they were still on my earlier flight.
Lesson learned is not to allow AA to place you on an earlier flight if you have checked luggage. Amusingly, a year ago on a connection from MIA to DFW. AA had placed my bags on an earlier flight without notifying me.
Dec 16, 2013, 3:11 pm
#415
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: OAK/SFO/SJC
Programs: AA Plat 2MM+, HHonors, Amtrak GuestRewards
Posts: 1,158
There are many ways for bags to get mis-routed. A few years back, I was flying BUD-LHR-JFK-SFO (first leg on BA, everything else AA) and my bags got with me as far as JFK, where I re-checked them to SFO. There were no delays and plenty of time between flights.
I got to SFO, but, based on what I could glean subsequently, my bags were immediately sent back to LHR on a BA flight, then stayed there for maybe a week. Despite the multiple daily BA non-stops LHR-SFO, BA finally shipped them to another US city and they gradually made their way back to SF from there on AA flights, arriving about two weeks after I'd arrived. During that time, if I remember right, I didn't hear more than assurances that they were being looked for--until the last day or two, when they were en route.
I got to SFO, but, based on what I could glean subsequently, my bags were immediately sent back to LHR on a BA flight, then stayed there for maybe a week. Despite the multiple daily BA non-stops LHR-SFO, BA finally shipped them to another US city and they gradually made their way back to SF from there on AA flights, arriving about two weeks after I'd arrived. During that time, if I remember right, I didn't hear more than assurances that they were being looked for--until the last day or two, when they were en route.
Dec 17, 2013, 12:07 pm
#416
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Balham - Gateway to The South
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 2,020
OK....first of all, nothing to do with baggage, just a weird compensation gesture that I'd like to share.
Flew LGA-ORD-LGA this month, outbound flight fine, old S80 clean condition no problem at all.
Return flight 737 (last flight of the day) nice plane...pity about the cleaners we sat in a row that had a half eaten pizza on the floor and unidentifiable food in the seat back pockets, as we were in row 25 I guess the cleaners got bored and left.
We paid for exit row seats on the outbound, but just regular (free) seats on the way back.
After some discussion we decided to let AA know that we weren't impressed with the cleanliness of the 737. We also said that as we would not be putting in our FF numbers as we weren't expecting anything .
We now have an email apologising for the lack of 'paid for seating' and that it would be refunded, I am assuming that this is a way of compensating us for having to sit in someone else's food waste....
For a long time I have been disappointed with cut and paste responses to queries and even the odd compliment, now I have been pleasantly surprised.
Thank you for reading !!!!
Flew LGA-ORD-LGA this month, outbound flight fine, old S80 clean condition no problem at all.
Return flight 737 (last flight of the day) nice plane...pity about the cleaners we sat in a row that had a half eaten pizza on the floor and unidentifiable food in the seat back pockets, as we were in row 25 I guess the cleaners got bored and left.
We paid for exit row seats on the outbound, but just regular (free) seats on the way back.
After some discussion we decided to let AA know that we weren't impressed with the cleanliness of the 737. We also said that as we would not be putting in our FF numbers as we weren't expecting anything .
We now have an email apologising for the lack of 'paid for seating' and that it would be refunded, I am assuming that this is a way of compensating us for having to sit in someone else's food waste....
For a long time I have been disappointed with cut and paste responses to queries and even the odd compliment, now I have been pleasantly surprised.
Thank you for reading !!!!
Jan 3, 2014, 3:11 pm
#417
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 164
Lost luggage on US domestic transfer flight on return from Asia.
I arrived to Chicago last night from Japan. I had to stop by Boston and transfer my checked in luggage at Boston. Upon arrival in Chicago, I found out my luggage did not come with me on the same flight but on a later flight. I was so exhausted to wait for it so I filed a ticket at the bag service of AA in Ohare to have them deliver the bag to me. Today, I received a call after 12 hours that they have not located my luggage. I'm afraid the luggage is lost. If it is the case, will they reimburse me for the loss and at what value? I do have something of value in the luggage. I did lock the luggage.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Jan 3, 2014, 4:10 pm
#418
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
Lost luggage on US domestic transfer flight on return from Asia.
Unless you got insurance and claimed your valuables, airlines will only offer the minimal. You can see for yourself on the airlines website what is their liability. I will give them an extra day for your luggage to be found.
Jan 3, 2014, 5:07 pm
#419
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
A gentle reminder to those reading this to never, ever put anything of value in checked luggage, unless you are prepared to lose it.
OP, it might take a few days to locate your luggage, so all is not lost yet.
OP, it might take a few days to locate your luggage, so all is not lost yet.
Jan 3, 2014, 5:24 pm
#420
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,438
American Airlines Baggage Liability
The above link show the maximum you will get from AA in case your baggage is lost. However, 12 hrs. is very short time, I do think there is possibility that your baggage will turn out. Especially with noreaster messing up AA operation at Chicago and northeast airports, things will be little slow. Also, when I experienced lost baggage with AA I found out that updating baggage information in the computer system is last thing baggage people will do especially where there is a major operational disruption like right now at northeast. The baggage service kept telling me that they have not found my baggage yet, since that is what the computer was telling the agent. However, my baggage arrived at my home address while AA’s system still said that my baggage has not being located.
Also, one note about the insurance. When claiming lost items with insurance, pretty much always an insurance company will ask some form of document which indicate the value of lost item. If you do not have such documents then often it can be extremely difficult to get claim from an insurance company.
The above link show the maximum you will get from AA in case your baggage is lost. However, 12 hrs. is very short time, I do think there is possibility that your baggage will turn out. Especially with noreaster messing up AA operation at Chicago and northeast airports, things will be little slow. Also, when I experienced lost baggage with AA I found out that updating baggage information in the computer system is last thing baggage people will do especially where there is a major operational disruption like right now at northeast. The baggage service kept telling me that they have not found my baggage yet, since that is what the computer was telling the agent. However, my baggage arrived at my home address while AA’s system still said that my baggage has not being located.
Also, one note about the insurance. When claiming lost items with insurance, pretty much always an insurance company will ask some form of document which indicate the value of lost item. If you do not have such documents then often it can be extremely difficult to get claim from an insurance company.