RE: SW (not a big rant, but what would you do?) UPDATE

[Mark P.]

Hi,
We just returned yesterday and flew with Southwest out of Philly.
Overall, the flights were fine.

Now for the slight rant...
Once back in Philly, we found that our son's car seat that we checked in Orlando didn't make it onto our plane. We were one of three families in the same situation (we all were missing car seats! Were they purposely not loaded?)
To make a long story short, we were able to get a loaner seat from SW, but delayed our leaving the airport for almost an hour. (We still had an hour drive home from the airport, and it was getting late).
SW is sending the seat to us today, so overall, it's not a huge deal, just a little frustrating, even though someone needs to be here at home all day, as SW isn't quite sure what time it will arrive.

Now for the question...
Is it too petty to call SW and try for some kind of credit for future travel?

Again, other than the baggage claim fiasco(I kept the story short, but it turned out to be quite a fiasco), we had an overall nice experience with SW.

Thanks,
-Mark

 

[DebbieB]

Did you check it at the main counter or did you gate check it? If you gate checked it, it's hard to figure how they missed it.

 

[bopeep9207]

Hi,
We just returned yesterday and flew with Southwest out of Philly.
Overall, the flights were fine.

Now for the slight rant...
Once back in Philly, we found that our son's car seat that we checked in Orlando didn't make it onto our plane. We were one of three families in the same situation (we all were missing car seats! Were they purposely not loaded?)
To make a long story short, we were able to get a loaner seat from SW, but delayed our leaving the airport for almost an hour. (We still had an hour drive home from the airport, and it was getting late).
SW is sending the seat to us today, so overall, it's not a huge deal, just a little frustrating, even though someone needs to be here at home all day, as SW isn't quite sure what time it will arrive.

Now for the question...
Is it too petty to call SW and try for some kind of credit for future travel?

Again, other than the baggage claim fiasco(I kept the story short, but it turned out to be quite a fiasco), we had an overall nice experience with SW.

Thanks,
-Mark

I would call Customer Relations and explain the situation and see what they do. They want to keep customers happy, and this is obviously an error on the baggage handlers part. I do have one question. why didn't you use the car seat on the plane?

 

[Mark P.]

Did you check it at the main counter or did you gate check it? If you gate checked it, it's hard to figure how they missed it.

The seat was checked with the rest of our luggage.

 

[NotUrsula]

...And this is why I always gate-check carseats. (That is, now that my kid weighs over 40 lbs. Before that point the carseat was used on the plane.)

 

[seashoreCM]

I would ask for something, like a $50. voucher, in exchange for the inconvenience especially having to wait at the airport, and also wait at home for their courier to pick up their loaner seat.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Last trip: Jan. '05, Pop Century.

<small>Women are superior to men. Here's why.
You see, God created a man first. Then, as He was creating a woman He had learned from His mistakes! (B. Meltzer a talk show host, among others)</small>

 

[Mark P.]

I do have one question. why didn't you use the car seat on the plane?

Thanks for the tips
Our son's also well over 40 lbs., which didn't require him to be in a car seat during flight. Matter of fact, SW's site says to have kids over 40 lbs. use the regular seat belts.
When he was under 2yrs., rather than to the lap option, we still bought a seat and used his carseat in it, and of course, when under 40 lbs., the car seat was used.
We're fanatics about safety.

 

[CarolA]

Technically you are not entitled to any compenesation for lost baggage for that amount of time. You can try, but I would not get my hopes up. A lot may depend on your flying record with SW and the person you talk to.

 

[Mark P.]

Just called SW cust. relations and spoke to a very nice rep. She said they'll mail out a $50 coupon for the mixup.

-Mark

 

[lawgs]

Mark P

voucher will be nice ....just be aware you cannot use it for online booking.....will have to go to a SWA ticketing location to book a ticket using it....

 

[Jennyvelaz]

We rented a car for January and were suprised at the cost for two booster seats. We are going to bring their car seats, not for the plane (didn't know that rule), but to save on the rental. Is it a carrying pain if we check the seats? My husband would've had a bird if that happens! He's worried about the manuevering with the bags, seats, and stroller.

 

[Docsknotinn]

With a $50 voucher it seems that SW was very good to deal with. Lost luggage is always a pain. Jenny if your worried about moveing your stuff around the airport to the rental counter you could always grab a Sky Captain to help or rent one of those carts by the baggage claim. I usually grab a Sky Cap just because they save me time getting us directly to our next destination.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Just a side note, when I worked at Pop Century, this type of situation would happen more often than you would think. I think at one point, we had three different airline loaner car seats at one time that needed to go back.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We rented a car for January and were suprised at the cost for two booster seats. We are going to bring their car seats, not for the plane (didn't know that rule), but to save on the rental. Is it a carrying pain if we check the seats? My husband would've had a bird if that happens! He's worried about the manuevering with the bags, seats, and stroller.

I'm paranoid about this and on non-direct flights involving switching planes--I gate check. But now that I know they have loaner car seats--I might not worry so much. Our next flight though--both girls are under 40...so hopefully their car seats fit (we were on a different airline--and their car seats don't fit in the puddle jumper seats. ODD).

I bought "suitcases" for them from one-step ahead..makes it much easier to carry through the airport. The extra space in the bag makes for extra packing room and they don't count it as a carry on . So if you have an extra big Minnie or Mickey your purchased--it fits in the bag.