DOT cracking down on airlines (luggage)

[NYDisneyKid]

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/...down-on-airlines?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlprim0651

 

[dburg30]

the text of the story so folks can just read it here..

IMO it just stresses the importance of having immediate need items in a carry on WITH YOU so if your luggage is redirected / lost / whatever, you can at least start your trip / vacation, albeit you still have to deal with the lost luggage at some point.

The Department of Transportation is cracking down on airlines that violate domestic baggage-reimbursement requirements.

Last month, the DOT fined Spirit Airlines $375,000 for several violations, including the company’s practice of making customers wait 24 hours before covering incidental costs—like toiletries or replacement clothes—for lost, delayed or damaged luggage, reported the Wall Street Journal on October 15th.

While lost luggage affects less than one percent of travelers flying domestically, it still poses a major inconvenience. More than 3 million mishandled baggage reports were filed by airlines in 2008 on domestic flights alone.

Spirit responded to the DOT by citing that its baggage policies are consistent with several other airlines—including Hawaiian Airlines, Continental Airlines and Elegant Air. Each of these companies offer to pay for expenses only after the first 24 hours, and some only reimburse for expenses if the luggage is missing or damaged on the outbound segment of a flight, according to the Wall Street Journal. The DOT is cracking down all of these airlines for the violations.

The DOT also cites the limits for what airlines offer to pay in the event of lost luggage as violating federal domestic baggage-liability rules. On average, airlines offer $25 to $50 a day for a period of three to five days, and usually only after the initial 24 hour waiting period. The DOT counters that the legal limit for lost domestic baggage is $3,300 per passenger, which includes total liability for the baggage and allows for incidentals and replacement costs.

"Travelers should not have to pay for toiletries or other necessities while they wait for baggage misplaced by airlines," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the Wall Street Journal. "We expect airlines to comply with all of our regulations and will take enforcement action if they do not."

Airlines have been given a period of 90 days to change their rules and practices before any legal actions will be taken.