Please reassure me, Airports don't lose luggage that much?

[CarolA]

I fly just about every week and I cannot recall the last time my luggage was "delayed" and it has never been lost.

 

[Dznypal]

In the last 8 years we've taken 4 family trips each trip we had any where from 16 to 20 people and none of our bags ever got lost!!!

Three of the trips we to Hawaii and even our pineapples made it back home!!

 

[Goobergal99]

I gotta bump this, has anyone ever had lost luggage.
I personally never had but my cousins bag was delayed once and delivered to our resort a few hours later (flying USAIR)
Even on my flight to CA that included a layover, no luggage was lost!

 

[CarolA]

I travel a lot on business. As of today (and I have been doing this for over 16 years) I have NEVER had luggage lost. I have had VERY few instances of luggage delayed. I just stick it under the plane and forget about it until I land.

I do both skycap and counter depending on if I there is a line and how cheap I am feeling LOL!


(Opps, I didn't read all the posts... I had already responded to this one!)

 

[dougsmom98]

I have only flown on AA once and that was the one time I got my luggage really delayed. When we got to the hotel and told the check in clerk that our bags should be arriving the next afternoon, he asked which airline we flew. We told him, he rolled his eyes and said that airline is always losing luggage. On the way home they were delayed as well. What a pain in the neck. One of the things I learned is to bring something comfortable to sleep in. I usually am very prepared when I fly with my kids, but this time I was by myself and didn't think I needed to be as prepared. Well, I ended up sleeping in jeans and a sweater. It was not fun. I was on a conference and sharing a room with co-workers so I was not going to sleep in my underwear. My co-worker also lost money that she stupidly packed in her luggage. Her bags arrived without the money and there is nothing that the airlines will do about it since you can't prove that it was ever there.
Good Luck.
-Amy

 

[mbb]

January 23, 2005.

On our way *to* Fla.

We flew from YYZ to MCO on Air Canada...direct, non-stop flight...and our bags never showed up. 2 LARGE American Tourister brand roller suitcases.

...compensation finally arrived - after a 6 month wait.

We're still pursuing the customer service issues...ie, a very ill-equipped call centre (guess where), and poor service from ACBaggage themselves.

We don't want anything - well, maybe our bags back (apparently they might be in a warehouse facility in YUL, if not stolen...but tell me why someone would steal vacation clothes? There was nothing of any value, ie, electronics etc in them) - other than a sincere apology, and an explanantion of what ACTUALLY happens to bags that go missing.

Here's our tips:

1)As you're packing your bags, just jot down what's in them. Doesn't have to be fancy, just general descriptions.
2)Put your name, destination and flight info on a sheet of paper inside your bags.
3)Take a picture of your bags, and close ups of any unique identifiers that you've added.
4)Kiss them goodbye, you may never see them again.

Carry ons only!!

 

[fac]

Many years ago, I (in fact, DBF) had a bag lost while I was in Nova Scotia
He came to visit me and had a bag full of gifts from my family and his family. It took me a long time to tell his family that I never received them.

 

[Vavasmon]

I have over 1/2 of a million miles in my life and only once was a bag "lost" for more than an hour or so. In fact several times my bag has beat me to my destination. Most of my keys to baggage success are:

1) I alway have a plastic tag on the outside that contains current contact information. I also have a piece of aper inthe outside pocket and in the bag with that info. Having you home address/phone number will not help you if you are not there to answer the phone so also include you contact info on the trip of the number of a family memebr/friend. Also remove any old routing tags or bar codes.

2) I always confirm the information on the routing tag the airline employee attaches - both at the counter and at the curb. I check my final destination and any connections. Don't be afraid to ask any questions. This is even more important at the curb where I have seen several mistakes made.

3) I always make sure I have my baggage claim checks - the bar code on those can be invaluable in finding a "missing bag". Most of my experiences are that my bag has already arrived (on an earlier flight) and is in baggage services.

4) I fly direct whenever possible.

5) I always check-in with baggage at least 90 minutes before the flight.

If they loose it and can't find it make sure you know your rights and their liability limitations. I never check anything of large monatary value that could easily go missing (cameras, jewlery, etc). I usually carry a small bag of necessary tolietries (toothbrush/toothpaste, deoderant, etc.) just in case.

The one time my bag was missing for about 2 -3 days I wnet to Rhode Island for a business meeting and it went to Hawaii. Too bad I didn't get to go and see where my bag went.

 

[somcgregor]

On my most recent trip my luggage was not lost, but rather delayed, and the funny part about it was that it was on the cart next to the plane before we took off, they told us we would be delayed about an hour while the loaded sand bags on the plane since we were not heavy enough, and to think they could have loaded the luggage.

Pack your carry on with the bare necessities, I had all of my tolietries, and I had an extra pair of underware and socks, but not a change of clothes for our upcoming trip that will be changing, just make sure I have the extra set of clothes and I'll be fine.

 

[Colinsmom]

I fly a lot for business and my only lost bag has been a stroller that was gate-checked!! The American agent made us hand it over long before boarding, which didn't feel right for starters. We suspect that it went on the flight that shared our boarding area since it took a while to catch up to us. That was a case where it didn't "feel" right but I went with it, and we were out our stroller for a couple of days. Won't make THAT mistake again!

 

[chamonix]

Never pack anything you aren't prepared to never see again!
I had a bag "lost" forever on AA flying from Miami to St Louis. (actually was on my way home from Antarctica, but had to take my bags through customs in Miami, then you re-check them in for you next flight, and that's the last time I ever saw it.)

I urge you to re-think what is "valuable" to you and "irreplaceable". I never packed monetary "valuables" in my checked bags--no cameras, electronics, jewelry, etc. I wish I would have, because those are REPLACEABLE! But my film, my souvenirs, my research materials from Antarctica I CAN NEVER REPLACE! WAH!!!! Yes, I have cried about this many times, and yes, I am bitter.

The airlines will compensate you with money for your "valuables" and your clothes, etc. Think about the things that cannot be replaced at any price, and never pack them in checked luggage.

Also, things like toothbrushes, etc are easily picked up in your hotel (often complimentary). Really think about what you would need and could not easily pick up if you had to live without your checked bag for 24 hours or so. Most often, thankfully, that's all that will happen.