My husband is traveling home with son after packing him out from college. At the airport, he checked a cardboard box (sturdy & properly taped, I'm sure) along with other luggage. TA (United) scolded him at the airport, saying cardboard boxes are no longer approved as shipping containers and the airline will not cover loss or damage.

We have checked boxes before without incident or notification of such a policy - is this a recent change? I don't know if he had to initial/sign a damage waiver this time; we haven't previously. Or is this a rogue TA? I'm sure the fallback response is a security concern (TSA inspection time).

As it wasn't disallowed by the TA, I don't plan to stop checking boxes when needed. However, if this policy is really the case, I will consider what I put in a box that I would be checking. Buying a suitcase or other container just to satisfy this policy seems outrageous if it is something I can put in a box and still be within size requirements.

According to the UA website, they will not be responsible for damage. I didn't see anything saying they will not accept boxes. All of which sounds like what you reported

That's right. A cardboard box can be easily damaged by the automated equipment at some airports and can be crushed in the containers by other luggage. Just make sure he puts nothing that can be damaged into the box and don't worry about it.

News to me. I travel with 6 bottle cardboard wine shippers frequently. Never had an issue.

Nothing has changed. The agent was simply advising OP's husband of UA (and other carriers) long-time policy set forth in the COC, namely no coverage. If you are willing to take the risk, go for it.

Most airlines will have you sign a damage waiver. But they won't deny carriage. Never been scolded though. Sorry that happened to you.

United was not "scolding" your husband; the agent was simply notifying him that they do not accept liability for checked cardboard boxes and that he should be aware that it's not a proper shipping container.

All airlines require a waiver for boxes, and have been doing so for over 10 years (could be a lot longer, I just can't remember specific examples earlier than around 2005). United's policy definitely has not changed recently; some agents may just be more vocal about explaining why you have to sign "here" and "here" when checking a box.

AIRCHICK

I use Dish Barrel Boxes (24x24x18) all the time when traveling to BAH. I cut the boxes down by 2 inches (to meet the 62 in limit) and have NEVER had a problem and have NEVER signed a limited liability waiver. Nothing is going to crush a bona fide Dish Barrel box !!!

I can't understand why the UA TA needed to "scold" anyone.

But I expect that this is one of those "changes we're going to really like".

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

A little OT, but: Depending on what UA charged to check the box (and how quickly the contents were needed), it might have been cheaper to ship the box via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground.

Of course, if your husband got free checked baggage on UA, that's another story.

I agree, the airlines and the luggage company have long been in cahoots - this experience proves it!

This is what happens when people don't read carefully. By OP's own admission, nobody "scolded" anybody. She simply used the term in the thread title and will hopefully change it.

Nobody told OP's husband that he could not check the box.
Nobody told OP's husband that he had to sign a waiver.

Nothing has changed. Perhaps the counter agent, I don't think that a TA was actually involved, should not have been helpful and said anything. If the box arrives undamaged, that's great. If it arrives damaged, the claim gets denied.

If you are either willing to accept the risk of damage or are certain that the boxes you select are damage-proof, quit worrying and check away.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

"Perhaps the counter agent, I don't think that a TA was actually involved"

I suspect that the OP used the abbreviation "TA" to refer to UA's ticket agent at the airport, not to a travel agent.

Indeed, that is UA's policy. Sometimes when coming west from the east coast, I will bring 5-7 dozen fresh bagels, and if I do not have a duffel bag, I'll put them in a box. Almost every time (ironically, except two weeks ago), I had to sign the waiver. Typically, I'll get asked what the contents are and sometimes I'll get some good responses, especially since the smell is powerful from fresh bagels!

Next time, buy a cheapo bag if you are concerned about the contents.

Semirelated: I packed something in a shoebox and took it to FedEx and they said they won't accept shoeboxes anymore. They said they tend to break apart and the company just got tired of paying out the insurance claims

After seeing airlines handle luggage. I wouldn't trust checking a cardboard box.