Wet Luggage on Southwest...and they replied to email

[tebookie]

Last night flew from Providence to Orlando. Our flight was delayed 4 hours in Providence due to a broken plane.

We we finally arrived at 12:30am and picked up our luggage it was soaked! Yes it was raining in Providence when we left. I understand luggage will get wet while they load it from the carts on to the plane, but it should not get soaked so that every piece of clothing is wet. Did they really leave the bags outside in the rain for 4 hours?! When I took my bag off the luggage claim and made it stand up there was a puddle of water! That's how wet our bags were!

THe line was long and it was late..again we landed at 1230 am (We were originally suppose to land at 830pm) We did not care to wait around at the airport so we did nothing. I called Southwest when we got to the hotel and I was told to call luggage services at Providence and call the Southwest Corporate number on Monday.

Not the greatest way to start off a Disney vacation.
Is it normal to for bags to be processed like this? Do I have any recourse of action? Anyone else have experience with this? I know Southwest is going to have 120 upset people once they figure out all their stuff is soaked!

 

[Muhlenberg]

The Providence airport may have "employee rules" that prevent them from working on luggage on the tarmac during a thunderstorm, or similar. I think they should have brought it back inside (or covered it), but then again, maybe the airport doesn't have anyplace to put it.

I would definitely call the airport and Southwest. Did you have trip insurance? That might cover luggage damage, etc.

Anyway, during one of our trips we landed at MCO during a thunderstorm and our luggage was delayed. The workers were not allowed out on the tarmac because of the lightning. I didn't get my bag til the next day, because I didn't give them the MATCHING bag claim number (I gave them a number, it was similar, but went with another piece of luggage we had). They didn't even look inside my bag, when it was in all the "found" luggage. If they had, they would have seen a paper with all my contact info, flight #, hotel, etc. Makes you wonder why they tell you to put that info on the inside in the first place.

 

[Redheadmom]

We arrived home from Florida with wet luggage. Southwest left the luggage out in the rain before loading the bags. The cloths were not ringing wet. We complained and only received a $25 voucher for future travel.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Sounds like a very trying travel day. As someone already posted, if there is a threat of lightening, baggage handlers have to go inside, although it is extremely unlikely your luggage sat in the rain for 4 hours.

Do make a complaint, but don't expect much compensation. They will likely offer you a travel voucher.

 

[seashoreCM]

Someone left the cake out in the rain. I don't think that I can take it 'cause it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that recipe again ... (ISP-MCO, anyone?)

Would it make sense to put groups of items in plastic bags and then put those bags in the suitcase?

Yes, when (hours, hotels permitting/requiring) you have to get your baggage from the carousel, you need to address baggage issues and file any applicable claim before leaving the area.

More: http://www.cockam.com/travtale.htm

 

[magsmum]

Would it make sense to put groups of items in plastic bags and then put those bags in the suitcase?

We flew to Lima and were delayed in Atlanta with terrible rainstorms. Some of our luggage was wet when we arrived in Lima and there was no dryer at the home where we were staying. Our clothes hung out on lines in the damp, foggy Lima winter and took days to fully dry. I now pack everything in plastic bags and put the bags in the suitcase. Lesson learned.

I'm sorry you had such a tough trip down. Hope the fun is in full swing now.

 

[DetaxiMom22]

We had this happen from PHL-TPA. The bags sat out in PHL during some storms. The bags were on the luggage carts but the flaps to protect the luggage from the rain were just kind of flapping in the wind. We actually took pictures out the window in PHL of this.

We did go to the Southwest booth when we landed and let them know and received a claim number. Since we were going on a cruise we had the cruise line wash and dry our wet clothes and dry clean what couldn't be washed. The total was only about $60 and Southwest did reimburse us the entire amount.

 

[DVC-Don]

Soaked luggage happened to us once, only it was during the boarding of the Disney Wonder back in 2008. It was pouring at Port Canaveral and when we got our luggage in our cabin everything was soaked. We had to cancel our Palo dinner that night.

 

[kaytieeldr]

THe line was long and it was late..again we landed at 1230 am (We were originally suppose to land at 830pm) We did not care to wait around at the airport so we did nothing.

SeashoreCM is right - by leaving the airport without filing a claim, you're probably not going to be nearly satisfied with any compensation you may get from Southwest.

 

[Jimbeaux28]

Last night flew from Providence to Orlando. Our flight was delayed 4 hours in Providence due to a broken plane.

We we finally arrived at 12:30am and picked up our luggage it was soaked! Yes it was raining in Providence when we left. I understand luggage will get wet while they load it from the carts on to the plane, but it should not get soaked so that every piece of clothing is wet. Did they really leave the bags outside in the rain for 4 hours?! When I took my bag off the luggage claim and made it stand up there was a puddle of water! That's how wet our bags were!

THe line was long and it was late..again we landed at 1230 am (We were originally suppose to land at 830pm) We did not care to wait around at the airport so we did nothing. I called Southwest when we got to the hotel and I was told to call luggage services at Providence and call the Southwest Corporate number on Monday.

Not the greatest way to start off a Disney vacation.
Is it normal to for bags to be processed like this? Do I have any recourse of action? Anyone else have experience with this? I know Southwest is going to have 120 upset people once they figure out all their stuff is soaked!

I switched my family's luggage to a hard shell because of things just like this. Wet luggage and broken, crushed contents was happening too often. Ever get a chance to see how luggage is treated by the baggage handlers? Not pretty.

Sorry this happened to you. I have been in your shoes, which is why we switched to the hard shell. No more wet clothes and broken souvenirs!

 

[jdb in AZ]

I changed planes at LAX last year when it was pouring buckets, and my luggage arrived a bit damp. Nothing serious, so my bag probably wasn't at the top of the heap. The airline made no effort to cover the luggage carts. pffft. Are all airlines like that at LAX or just SWA? Huge airport, small windows in the plane so I couldn't see what the other guys were doing.

As a PP mentioned, it's wise to pack everything in plastic. We always take a large garbage bag for dirty laundry, so we might as well use it to protect the clean clothes at the beginning of our vacation.

I have soft-sided luggage because I've had so much trouble with the latches on hard-side. Also, soft-side weighs less and helps me stay under the 50-lb load limit. I also enjoy the extra zipped compartments on the outside. But the frames get bent out of shape, and hard-sides are less apt to get water logged. I have no idea what I'll get next time, tho I suspect it will have some type of Disney logo on it.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Most luggage carts are covered. Some aren't. When the tower or ground ops receives a report of a lightning strike within a certain distance from the airport, all ramp activity stops. All refueling trucks have to disconnect from aircraft and leave the immediate area until the all clear notice. Most rampers will try to get luggage carts covered if they can but the refueling trucks and their egress are top priority.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Last night flew from Providence to Orlando. Our flight was delayed 4 hours in Providence due to a broken plane.

We we finally arrived at 12:30am and picked up our luggage it was soaked! Yes it was raining in Providence when we left. I understand luggage will get wet while they load it from the carts on to the plane, but it should not get soaked so that every piece of clothing is wet. Did they really leave the bags outside in the rain for 4 hours?! When I took my bag off the luggage claim and made it stand up there was a puddle of water! That's how wet our bags were!

THe line was long and it was late..again we landed at 1230 am (We were originally suppose to land at 830pm) We did not care to wait around at the airport so we did nothing. I called Southwest when we got to the hotel and I was told to call luggage services at Providence and call the Southwest Corporate number on Monday.

Not the greatest way to start off a Disney vacation.
Is it normal to for bags to be processed like this? Do I have any recourse of action? Anyone else have experience with this? I know Southwest is going to have 120 upset people once they figure out all their stuff is soaked!

I spray our bags with Camp Out which you can get at Wal-Mart. Its a water repelant and keeps dirt and grim at Bay. I also spray the bag that we take to the park just in case it rains and I put my park stuff in a ziplock bag.

 

[goofy4tink]

Most luggage carts are covered. Some aren't. When the tower or ground ops receives a report of a lightning strike within a certain distance from the airport, all ramp activity stops. All refueling trucks have to disconnect from aircraft and leave the immediate area until the all clear notice. Most rampers will try to get luggage carts covered if they can but the refueling trucks and their egress are top priority.

And that is why I try to put my stuff in big plastic bags if flying during any possible rainy times. I watch the weather report, and plan accordingly.
Thanks again!!!! You're the best!!

 

[1stvisit0909]

I was sitting on a delta flight in the rain in atl, and could see our luggage sitting on the Tarmac in the downpour. My bag was soaked...but thankfully I was going home. Sorry OP!

 

[BonnieA]

Has that happen to me once. My husband had wet clothes. Mine were dry. I used space bags for all my clothes. Best thing I ever did.

 

[BiancaBernard&Penny]

Just be glad they didn't charge you overweight fees for transporting that water logged bag!

 

[kaytieeldr]

It would be interesting to hear what the airline's response was.

 

[mamamary]

In June flying from MCO to BWI we were delayed due to a big storm in Baltimore. We were flying with some friends. A few days after our flight my friend mentioned that her luggage was very wet and also her clothes. She was surprised to hear that ours were all dry. Luckily it was coming home and not going down because she had to re-wash everything.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Wet luggage is not only caused by being left in the rain, it can also be caused by people packing cases of water(afterall on SW you get 2 bags so why not save money by taking water in your extra bag).