"Free" baggage check with Southwest

[leebee]

I had the epiphany about the luggage cart while I was in Target last night. DD's whole travel itinerary is complicated... I could get her some new suitcases on the morning of 7/23 but she is supposed to be packed and checked out of the dorm by 10am. Not much time to get to the mall, shop, get to the dorm, and repack. I don't want to take two empty bags to MD with me (in addition to my own) as we are flying AirTran and the fees will kill me AND I'm not comfortable giving the airlines 2 empty suitcases. I'm not sure if I bought luggage and had it sent to her that it'd arrive in time. SO... the solution is to buy a luggage cart to stack her two suitcases on. I am currently in southern Maine at my sister's, but when driving home tomorrow I will stop in Freeport and see what Bean's has to replace my suitcase. I think this'll be the best bet, then we can take our time and find something that will be sturdy to replace the current bags without having a time limit. Thanks for everyone's input!

Oh, yes, but the way, I know it's not just SW... we had problems previously with United, too. I realize it's actually the airport's baggage handlers/system and not really the airline itself.

 

[Miss Ang]

We always fly Southwest when we travel and have never had a problem. Sorry about your luck.

 

[IDoDis]

I'm copying/pasting this from the Southwest website:

Liability:

Southwest Airlines' liability for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage is limited to $3,300.00 per fare-paying Customer.

Claims:

Damaged or lost baggage must be reported, in person, within four hours of Customer's arrival at destination.

Did you let them know at the airport about the luggage or did you call them when you had already gotten home? That is key -- you have only a certain amount of time with southwest to report damaged luggage (see above).

I don't understand why you were told what you were told? Did you fill out a claim form? In the future if this happens again, fill out a claim form and don't just take an employee's verbal say-so. Whoever told you they weren't responsible was wrong. If you got that person's name, take photos of your luggage and send an email to southwest.

 

[a1tinkfans]

i'd be on the phone with southwest costomer service and tell them that 4 BAGS being damaged and not being replaced is simply unacceptable!

I agree, seriously, there must have been some "issue" that all the bags were damaged. And as a person that generally flies them exclusively, this is just plain AWFUL to hear. I have had no damaged luggage but if I did, and it was 3 bags, Id be very very dis-satisfied and demand compensation. Personally, Id be writing them a certified letter and explaining (very nicely of course) how disappointed you are with their service in not only damaging the luggage but not being able to explain to you HOW all three were damaged, and I would specifically ask for compensation .... but thats just me

Sorry to hear about this..........

 

[leebee]

I went directly from baggage claim to SW's agent. The website doesn't contain the fine print.... this kind of damage is considered normal wear and tear and isn't eligible for reimbursement, and yes, I talked to the supervisor as it was three bags and seemed a little excessive. As it was explained to me, there's no way to prove that this kind of damage was due to something that the airline was responsible for and not just old, previously broken luggage. He said that it clearly has to be damaged by the baggage handling system- caught in the machinery and torn up, for example, or obviously run over by a vehicle because of being negligently left on the tarmac, etc.. He suggested I use a SmartCart or porter if I couldn't wheel or carry the bags to the shuttle bus myself. No, he wasn't rude when he said it, he was really apologetic and trying to offer alternatives, but he was clear in his statement that this kind of damage isn't reimbursable.