Luggage Inspected: Items broke...what to do?

[tchrrx]

My sister and her husband just flew back from Mexico. When they got home, they saw that DHs luggage had been inspected. They broke his sunglasses, a brand new picture frame, and folded photos that they had bought from a scuba expedition. The airline was American Airlines. Is there anything that can be done for the damaged items? What steps should she take to at least file a complaint, even if nothing can really be done?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The broken items could have been broken at anytime during transit, you could file a claim with AA, but that would be the best you can do. As for TSA (or similar agency), I doubt you will get far with broken items as there is no guarantee it was broken by the agency handling the inspection.

 

[seashoreCM]

For those eavesdropping: Inspect the baggage before leaving the airport and file a baggage claim on the spot.

Regrettably for you, it might be too late, although you can still write a snail mail letter. Actually you should write in order that letters from a profusion of people may help narrow down on where a problem could be.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd file a complaint with the airline and with the TSA. I doubt it will do much good but it might help if there is a pattern.

A passenger can carefully pack items. Bubble wrap it. Put it in the middle of your suitcase surrounded by clothing. The problem is the TSA agent who inspects your bag may not re-pack your bag as carefully as you packed it.

I don't think I'd put expensive sunglasses in my checked luggage. I'd be concerned with theft as well as damage.

 

[disney david]

My sister and her husband just flew back from Mexico. When they got home, they saw that DHs luggage had been inspected. They broke his sunglasses, a brand new picture frame, and folded photos that they had bought from a scuba expedition. The airline was American Airlines. Is there anything that can be done for the damaged items? What steps should she take to at least file a complaint, even if nothing can really be done?

you should go on tsa.gov and click on for travelers then click customer service then click claims management department their it tell you how to file a complaint for missing or broken items and their you can check the status they might not do anything but they proberly tell you who handles inspection out of mexico it most likely be them or us customs officers or another angency run by mexico if it tsa they will put a sticker with their logo on it letting you know that they went through your bags so since you said that their was something on their just keep that and use it as evedince and to see which agency you have to file a complaint since it most likely not the airline that went through your bag you would not have a claim unless their damage to your bag that might suggest they droped your bag then file a claim with them the sooner the better because it will take time for the tsa to process and come back and let you know what they going to do with it and was all their bags inspected are was their just one bag inspected because it might meen they was not x raying the bags and they was going through the bags by hand so that might be why the photos got bent and the the other items broken it not an excuse they should never been broken because some of those items are once and a life time items

 

[disney david]

http://http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/index.shtm

 

[kaytieeldr]

you should go on tsa.gov and click...

Um, would you mind typing that again with at least a LITTLE punctuation? I can't read it as is. Thanks!

 

[disney david]

Um, would you mind typing that again with at least a LITTLE punctuation? I can't read it as is. Thanks!

just click this link and you get the info you need http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/index.shtm

 

[LSchrow]

you should go on tsa.gov and click on for travelers then click customer service then click claims management department their it tell you how to file a complaint for missing or broken items and their you can check the status they might not do anything but they proberly tell you who handles inspection out of mexico it most likely be them or us customs officers or another angency run by mexico if it tsa they will put a sticker with their logo on it letting you know that they went through your bags so since you said that their was something on their just keep that and use it as evedince and to see which agency you have to file a complaint since it most likely not the airline that went through your bag you would not have a claim unless their damage to your bag that might suggest they droped your bag then file a claim with them the sooner the better because it will take time for the tsa to process and come back and let you know what they going to do with it and was all their bags inspected are was their just one bag inspected because it might meen they was not x raying the bags and they was going through the bags by hand so that might be why the photos got bent and the the other items broken it not an excuse they should never been broken because some of those items are once and a life time items

wow....totally OT, but i think you might have broken the record on the longest sentence ever written on the disboards (unfortunately, there isn't a prize).

 

[disney david]

wow....totally OT, but i think you might have broken the record on the longest sentence ever written on the disboards (unfortunately, there isn't a prize).

Sorry everyone didn't mean to make one long sentence. Next time I won't write so much.

 

[Uncleromulus]

tchrrx: No matter what you do and how many letters you write-you are out of luck. No one will admit to doing anything that may have damaged your possessions.

 

[LSchrow]

Sorry everyone didn't mean to make one long sentence. Next time I won't write so much.

no worries......while it may have made my eyes (and brain) hurt just a bit, it also made me smile.
your info was excellent, and that's what counts