Priority (?) baggage handling
 

I usually fly F or Business class and although I try to avoid checking bags at times it is unavoidable. Domestically,when checking bags (UA & AA)they always put a "Priority" tag on the bags which I admit makes me feel hopeful, but 9x out of 10 the bags come off in the middle or the end of the baggage claim process. Internationally, the reverse seems to be true and it is the exception when the bags don't come off first. Why can't the US airlines get this right? Anyone have any stategies for this problem?

I think baggage handlers are a law unto themselves. As far as I can tell, they're outlaws and no one can control them. Why this is so is beyond me.

HHHmmm.... I always thought that "Priority" tag meant "We will do everything to make losing your bag a Priority!"

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

hmmm.....time to remove all the P tags from my luggage... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

It's a joke - just another tag to pull off later.. I'm convinced that the baggage handlers are sitting there holding all the priority bags and putting them on the conveyor last!

I recently got some clarification from AA (it seems to be accurate, but maybe not). The "Priority Tag" only works on their 3 class aircraft, which means that domestically, it needs to be one of the transcons with business and first. The explanation I was given is that they actually designate a separate bin for the priority luggage on those flights.

Nearly all my flights are It'l and all based on Star Gold carriers, but mostly UA.

Priorty bags on It'l for me are off early about 95% of the time.

------------------
~ Glen ~




[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 08-20-2000).]

My experience is the same as Ozstamps.

Once, I was really daring and checked two bags. Priority stickers were affixed.

One was the third bag into the bin, and I waited for about half the luggage until the other one appeared.

eMailman .. I will say that purely domestic US flights are a far different story . Although oddly, bags coming off an originating It'l seem to get some definite priority IMHO.

i.e SYD-LAX will be fine

SYD-LAX-IAH will also be fine, but a LAX-IAH is a lottery!

Maybe the It'l tags shame the bag guys to be a bit more considerate? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

------------------
~ Glen ~

This realy depends on the way they load the bags onto the plane and the way they uload them. When they do it the right way, the priority bags will come out 1st. Pay attention to the fact that the priority bags usualy come out together. The airlines usualy do their job with handling the priority bags together but from there to the baggage clain area a lot of things can happen...

I agree with "apirchik" that it depends on how they load the aircraft. Most baggage handlers I have observed loading seem to get that part right. They put the priority bags aside and load them last. So far, so good.

However, being last on the plane means they are coming out first. This is were the airline procedures seem to fail. The bags come out first, gets loaded first on to the cart and get stuck behind a tone of non-priority bags. When it comes time to unload, there are a couple of minutes of non-priority bags on the belt before the priority bags come out.

"At least that's how Delta sees it" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

/Pete

I have had very good luck with priority tagged luggage on domestic US Airways flights (comes off first 85%+ of the time).

In Canada, I have no problem with priority tags on AC (at YYZ they come out on a separate caroussel). However, I have found that on CP the performance is highly variable.

Overseas, I have invariably found my bags coming down among the first off.

However, at US airports, it has been quite different experience. Almost without exception, priority tagged bags are intermingled with the rest.