Baggage Issues Anyone?
 

I'm curious how many here have had baggage issues this year and in previous years?

Last night's flight is now my fourth issue with baggage on CO. I've had delayed bags twice, a bag destroyed, and last night had a bag CUT which according to them had to have happened from the automated baggage sorting system, but I just can't logically figure out HOW, when the part of the closure system that would have broken was fine, while the much stronger chain part was the one that "snapped" (looks like it was cut with cutters to me though)

The bag I've used for all my travels is a American Tourister garment bag, has travelled with me all over the country, and I've used it tons, but this year has just been havoc.

It folds open and hanging clothes go in the middle, while undershirts, socks, and the like can go in one outside pocket, while another smaller one holds your toiletries. There is two quick release buckles on either side at the end to hold it in a closed position, as well as a hook that doubles as a hanger to hang it up, as well as to hold it shut for travel. There is also a zipper that runs the full length of the bag, to zip up the hanging clothes section.

Last night on arrival at my hotel, I unpack and find that the hook holding the two halves together is missing, and on closer inspection, it looks like one of the links has been CUT, and the hook part is nowhere around. What is strange about this, is that if it truly snagged on something as the CO Baggage person suggested, the fabric loop that the hook slides into on the opposite side of the baggage that the hook is attached to, would have ripped first, before snapping the chain. That is what leads me to believe that the hook was cut off (either by TSA morons or someone up to no good) as the hook is held in place snugly by a velcro double closure, and isn't sticking out from the bag at all to snag on something.

I guess my question is, am I just unlucky this year, or has everyone noticed quite a bit of increased baggage hassles this year then previous years? Also figured I would mention that all of these trips have been single segments, not multiple segment trips, so no real excuse to have delayed baggage, as well as always have checked the baggage in at least an hour before departure.

Delayed bags can happen at any station. At SFO the bags are placed onto the belt, travel downstairs into the CTX machine, pass by the TSA, then travel up a belt, across the tarmac, down a shute and onto a carousel. The bags are picked up by the ramp agents and placed into the carts, separated by flight.

It's easy to see where the bag could become damaged along the way. These bag belts are made of moving rubber belts, surrounded by metal walls and lots of gaps that can catch anything hanging out. That's why we use tubs for garment bags or small items.

It is easy to misread a bag tag. CLT looks just like CLE when you are grabbing and tossing bags and your bag that should stop at CLE is now on it's way to CLT.

Is it not automated in T1 at SFO? Or do only hubs have automated bag systems?

The only thing automated at SFO is the bagtag printers are connected to the checkin entries, and should spit out a correct bagtag provided your PNR is correct. And we all know that isn't always the case.

I can't answer for the hubs with regard to their baggage system.

I will say that in the last year I have had at least four or so cases of delayed bags. Two or three of those were due to me changing flights in oversell situation and once due to late check in as TSA made me check bag (funny part to that is the flight was delayed by two hours but bag still missed the flight). The latest one was last week where I received my small box but not my large bag. They then tried two flights before it got to OKC but skipped the main line outta of C or E and keep trying to send it CO EX. The agent in OKC said that it could have been weight and balance issues. Funny thing is the gate check items made it on the plane but the elite transfered bag didn't. I assume that this could be because the elite bags are the easiest to pull as they are at the front of the compartment.