My luggage and My person have not arrived at the same time on four of my five LAX to East Coast Segments via IAH this year. The latest being Wed evening to MSY.

My question is, For those of you with similar problems, How has CO tried to rectify the situation. After this last episode, my wife got PO'd at the Elite line and they gave us 100 bucks to spend on essentials. The bags showed up the following afternoon after a side trip to MCO.

I don't know if It matters but I'm a Gold Elite

start using biztravel (at least you'll get some cash back)...

I've also hear rumors of CO paying $$$ on 50% of essentials up to $250.

Can anyone verify this?

[This message has been edited by codystyle (edited 03-03-2001).]

[This message has been edited by codystyle (edited 03-03-2001).]

I'm curious as to why a gold elite checks bags?
Everytime I check in the agent asks if I have any bags to check. I say "no"...and they typically respond that "oh that's right... Platinum elites never check bags".
Not making fun of you very real problem, just pointing out that's why you should never check bags unless you have to.

Isn't it a very sad commentary on the state of airline service? I personally check bags if I'm going on a longer trip and need to bring more stuff. Why would anyone want to lug around bags, especially if you are making a connection? I also love to wander around airports during connections. So far, knock on wood, CO or NW have never lost a bag of mine.

One piece of advice:

DON'T USE THE PLASTIC ELITE PRIORITY TAGS!!

I've found that more times than not, the baggage handlers often bring the bags with the elite tags down LAST instead of first like they're supposed to.

Since I travel a lot, I don't usually check bags. Whenever I have checked bags, I am usually one of the earliest to check in (about an hour prior to departure)...so I assume my bags hit the back of the luggage cart, and hence the back of the airplane, which is why they're last to get off.


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http://www.denycontinentalthefreddie.com

>>Everytime I check in the agent asks if I have any bags to check. I say "no"...and they typically respond that "oh that's right... Platinum elites never check bags".

I've always been fascinated by this line of thinking. I just don't get it.

I've been a very frequent flyer for the better part of 22 years and I almost always check a bag.

I like to take a lot of stuff with me. I enjoy having a few of the comforts of home with me when I travel. As long as I can wheel it all behind me, it's no problem.

I enjoy breezing through airports and onto planes without having to worry about the weight of bags I'm lugging around, or whether there will be enough space in the overhead, or having anxiety about boarding first so there will be enough space in the overhead, or jostling someone as I maneuver a bag into the overhead bin. Sometimes I enjoy being last on board and spending my waiting time in a more comfortable area as opposed to sitting in the sardine can. My carryon fits in front of my seat so I don't worry about overhead bin space.

I have never lost a bag in all these years of travel, and have probably had less than ten "baggage misconnects." (And I connect a lot.) I've never had to wait more than overnight to get a bag delivered except once with NW, when I had to wait until midnight the next day. (And I got big compensation for that and a very nice apology.)

My bags are almost always among the first off the conveyer belt and yes, I do use those blue tags. It's a major reason I fly CO; other carriers give you the nice tags but the bags are not handled with any priority. I've flown into IAH a ton (not on connections) and the blue tagged bags have always been among the first out of the chute.

I feel waiting the extra 10-15 minutes I have to wait to pick up my bags is a good trade off for my comfort inside the airport.

I have only once ever had something stolen out of luggage - an electric shaver at JFK - and UA sent me a check for the full cost of it, no questions asked.

So there.

I always use my Elite tags and on my last trip my bag was the FIRST bag off the plane!

DGOLDS, we are friends... BUT...
You have never been to the airports I fly to if you think 10-15 minutes for bags is normal! Try 30-40 minutes at CLT. Also, Long time at MSY.
Second, Try flying 30 segments in three weeks and have ONE bag misconnect and you'll know why...

Cigarman: Point well taken...and I stick by mine, too.

30-40 minutes to get bags? Geez, if I had that experience regularly, I'd reconsider flying (or at least checking bags) with CO. I've had it happen maybe once or twice in maybe the last 250 segments. I had it a lot when I was a regular UA flyer, particularly at SFO, which was a disaster area for baggage service a few years ago when I stopped flying 'em regularly. Don't know if they've improved the situation since then.

[This message has been edited by dgolds (edited 03-04-2001).]

DGOLDS, CO is especially fast at bag delivery in Houston. It always amazes me. Seriously Charlotte is 30-40 minutes... try it. Oh yeah forgot ATL and DEN where it can also take 30 minutes...

Curiously, how does one accurately determine the average time it takes to get their bags at various airports - if they never check their bags?

They stuff a know it all from the NY area into a suitcase. Then they put alot of smileys and stupid links on it (for easy identification, you know all those bags look alike). Then they check the bag on the airline the know it all flies (not CO) and send him to a far off destination. From there he posts the results.
OR that's why I USED to check bags...

"They stuff a know it all from the NY area into a suitcase. Then they put alot of smileys and stupid links on it (for easy identification, you know all those bags look alike). Then they check the bag on the airline the know it all flies (not CO) and send him to a far off destination. From there he posts the results.
OR that's why I USED to check bags..."

Sure glad that it's not me!

BTW, isn't that in violation of the current CO rules!

>>BTW, isn't that in violation of the current CO rules!

Not as long as the bags will still fit through the sizing template.

Whoops, wrong airline.

If you are Elite and lose luggage you get an instant $250 to spend. You must call the Elite Line and talk to someone and get clearance. Receipts must be saved! If traveling with someone who is non-elite, check all bags under Elite's name otherwise the person gets $100--and you get NADA for $100!!! I have lost twice in the past few years and CO has been fantastic. I have been authorized for the $250 immediately....and have gotten reimbursed quickly. Hope this helps!!!!