Help luggage ruined on flight? Where to get a new large duffle

[NotUrsula]

I've lost two suitcases to Southwest this year. From what I can tell, both times the TSA approved lock caught on something in their system, ripping the zippers off. They say, zipper not covered. The first time I bought a three piece set at BJs. The second one I duck taped shut for the trip home. (funny picture!)
To add insult to injury, I then bought a giant LL Bean duffel. Get to Orlando and the one zipper pull is off and the lock is missing.

Southwest 3, RedWitch 0. End game.

Zipper pulls are counted as wear and tear, because they are VERY prone to getting caught in the diverting rollers on the conveyor belts in the bag room. The problem is made worse when you lock zipper pulls together, because then the pressure causes torque that makes the metal more likely to snap.

Honestly, the simplest way to prevent them getting broken coming off is to remove the metal pulls and replace them with a short grosgrain ribbon loop..Otherwise, you can mostly prevent it by carrying a small roll of duct tape and taping down the lock before you check the bag. (An easy way to create a portable roll of duct tape is to wind a few feet of it on the outside of a pill bottle.)

 

[swilshire]

First time I used a new bag on American Airlines, it must have been caught in some sort of machine. There was something black, like oil, all over it. Huge blobs, not just a little. The place where the seam was frayed all along one side. They ripped teeth out of the zipper. I tried to file a claim at the airport and they denied it. I insisted that they note it on my folio and read their website when I got home. In spite of no reference to zippers being excluded, they still insisted they weren't covered. It was luckily the expansion zipper, but it still made the bag virtually unusable, even beyond the fact that it looks awful. Very poor service from American.

I have witnessed, as another poster mentioned, Delta handing a new bag over to customers with a badly damaged bag. Wish I could fly with them all the time.

Sheila

 

[kristenrice]

We took our new $200 ballistic nylon rolling duffel from Eddie Bauer on our honeymoon trip in 2002. It was a wedding gift and since we rarely travel, we brought it home and packed it away. In 2008, I pulled it out to pack for our first family trip only to find that a wheel was missing! We never noticed it because we'd carried it like a duffel on our first trip. I took it to Eddie Bauer because I know they have a satisfaction guarantee. I honestly didn't expect anything, but they replaced it with the most comparable bag they had...on the spot...no hassle! I got a brand new, $175 drop-bottom rolling duffel.

 

[GenieCat]

Although they do not offer a duffle at this time, SpotMyBag offers unique luggage that can be personalized.

I have not purchased from them but their product appears to be cute and durable.

 

[cel_disney]

Not sure when you are leaving ..but if you can wait til Tuesday to get it - I would order it in amazon and stay on site enjoying your vacation time!!!

 

[rlk]

We had the same thing happen to our luggage last August. To avoid having to leave Disney property (no car) we ordered a replacement piece of luggage from Amazon and had it delivered to our resort two days later.