Another DME question

[snowman]

We all know that occassionaly the airlines will lose our luggage. Has anybody used DME and had that happen? How did it get resolved? Did you have to go back to MCO to file a lost luggage report w/ your airline? Did DME let you know that your luggage was currently in the luggage carousel in the sky? How long did it take to resolve your missing luggage?

We are definately going to use DME, but DSO is waffling on using the magic yellow tags vs being our own luggage sherpas.

 

[goofy4tink]

In the few years that DME has been in existence, I don't think I have heard one single instance where someone lost their luggage and DME had to track it for them. Now, I have heard instances where luggage didn't get to the resort for close to 6-8 hrs. I have a feeling that the airlines misdirected those bags and DME got them much later than would be expected.
If you are really concerned about this, then don't use the yellow tags. Just go and grab your own bags. But I am very comfortable with having DME handle my bags. Again, I have yet to hear of someone's having to have DME find the luggage that an airline lost.

 

[sluggo]

Hi,

The procedure when a bag is delayed by the airlines is:

1. Once the bag has not arrived at the resort or been scanned within 4 hours, the resort calls the DME baggage office at the airport and reports it.

2. The bag is then added to list of delayed bags and CM's at the airport go to the airline Baggage Service Office and search for the bag. If it is not there, they continue to monitor incoming flights for the bag either through checking to see if it was scanned or if the bag is with the airline.

3. If after a few flights the bag has not shown up, more information is requested from the guest by the resort CMs (bag tag number, description, contents, etc). The airport CM then takes this info to the airline and checks to see if the airline has scanned the bag some place where it should not be (Cairo, New Delhi, Gravel Switch KY, etc).

4. The CM then puts in a claim for the guest with the airline. This information is relayed to the resort CM's who inform the guests and give them the claim reference number and the 1-800 number to call for updates/compensation. Of course, when the bag does finally arrive, DME transports it to the resort.

I hope this answers all of the questions. If not, let me know.

This is another good reason to let DME handle your bags. This keeps you from having to wait in a line to file a delayed baggage claim with the airline. At times, this can be a very long line. There have been flights come in with no bags for any of the passengers on the flight. Whew

Sluggo

 

[snowman]

Thanks for the detailed info Sluggo. Are you Superman or something?
That was exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.