What to do if our bags are delayed?

[DirectGirl]

I am worried that our bags didn't get on our flight. What should we do about it? Do we have to wait for them or can they be delivered later? Our flight was at 6am and we printed stickers at 5:28am! I hope vacation isn't ruined!

 

[kaytieeldr]

1A. Always, always, always, always carry on whatever you need for the first 24 hours at your destination. Always.
1B. Never ever ever check anything of value, any paperwork, any medicine or medical equipment.
2. If you are using Magical Express and have yellow-tagged your luggage, Disney will get and deliver it when it shows up.
3. If you are not using DME, or are but chose not to utilize the luggage delivery part, go to your airline's Lost Luggage office immediately.
4. Answer their questions, provide whatever information they require, follow their instructions.

 

[Babsy]

Sorry! deleted.

 

[SirDuff]

I’m a little confused as to where you actually are. Are you at MCO and know your luggage didn’t make the flight? Or are you in transit and just worried that they didn’t?

What airline are you flying? Some (I know UA and Delta) have “track your luggage” options on their apps, you could try checking that.

If the airline accepted your luggage, you were before their cut-off and, in theory, the luggage should have made the flight.

I wouldn‘t go to the lost luggage office until you know that the luggage wasn’t on the plane (i.e. all the other luggage has come through the carousel).

 

[DirectGirl]

I’m a little confused as to where you actually are. Are you at MCO and know your luggage didn’t make the flight? Or are you in transit and just worried that they didn’t?

What airline are you flying? Some (I know UA and Delta) have “track your luggage” options on their apps, you could try checking that.

If the airline accepted your luggage, you were before their cut-off and, in theory, the luggage should have made the flight.

I wouldn‘t go to the lost luggage office until you know that the luggage wasn’t on the plane (i.e. all the other luggage has come through the carousel).

In transit. It's too late to do better. I know all the must dos (have toiletries with me) but stuff happens. Trying to plan for the worst now.

 

[DirectGirl]

1A. Always, always, always, always carry on whatever you need for the first 24 hours at your destination. Always.
1B. Never ever ever check anything of value, any paperwork, any medicine or medical equipment.
2. If you are using Magical Express and have yellow-tagged your luggage, Disney will get and deliver it when it shows up.
3. If you are not using DME, or are but chose not to utilize the luggage delivery part, go to your airline's Lost Luggage office immediately.
4. Answer their questions, provide whatever information they require, follow their instructions.

We didn't do DME.

 

[MrsPete]

Life lesson 1: Don't bleed 'til you get shot. That is, don't worry about things that haven't happened yet. It's wasted energy, and worrying about whatever could possibly happen drags on your soul.

Life lesson 2: Never check luggage. With careful packing, you can absolutely make it with a carry-on, and that completely removes the possibility of lost luggage. Putting aside the luggage issue, consider how you can apply this to other parts of your life: where else would simplifying make your life more stress-free?

 

[Gehrig1B]

If you checked bags properly and they were accepted by the airline your bags almost certainly made the flight. If your bags do not arrive at MCO go immediately to "Lost Luggage" and make a report, be sure you have your baggage tags and can describe each bag.

It is the responsibility of the airline to get your luggage to you. They will deliver to wherever you are staying.

 

[Jimsig]

If your bags did not make it the airline should put them on the next flight (or possibly flights if they don't have another non-stop). If you have waited for all the bags to come out like @SirDuff mentioned when you go to Lost Luggage and give them your tags, they will probably already know the status of your luggage. Airlines will usually note luggage delays in the computer. You will probably then have 2 choices. Wait for the next flight to arrive and retrieve your bags from the carousel. Or the airline MAY offer to have your bags delivered to where you are staying, especially if the next flight is hours away.

Please let us know how you make out.

 

[sam_gordon]

We didn't do DME.

Then when you get to your destination, you go to baggage claim. You wait until everything is off the flight. They'll stop the carousel usually I think. If your bag is there, great, no harm, no foul. If you bag isn't there, go to the luggage office and fill out the paperwork. More than likely the airline will deliver it to you, so know the address of where you're staying.

Life lesson 1: Don't bleed 'til you get shot. That is, don't worry about things that haven't happened yet. It's wasted energy, and worrying about whatever could possibly happen drags on your soul.

Agreed.

Life lesson 2: Never check luggage. With careful packing, you can absolutely make it with a carry-on, and that completely removes the possibility of lost luggage. Putting aside the luggage issue, consider how you can apply this to other parts of your life: where else would simplifying make your life more stress-free?

Disagree. Lost luggage is not the end of the world. And going through airports without an extra bag is very freeing.

 

[Allison]

There is no reason to worry about this right now. They took your luggage, right? They will get it on the plane.

If on the outside chance something happens, check with the luggage office when you get to your destination.

 

[3threebabies]

Life lesson 1: Don't bleed 'til you get shot. That is, don't worry about things that haven't happened yet. It's wasted energy, and worrying about whatever could possibly happen drags on your soul.

Life lesson 2: Never check luggage. With careful packing, you can absolutely make it with a carry-on, and that completely removes the possibility of lost luggage. Putting aside the luggage issue, consider how you can apply this to other parts of your life: where else would simplifying make your life more stress-free?

I so wish I could live #1 in my everyday life!

 

[BadPinkTink]

In 18 years of international travel, and many transatlantic flights, there has been only 1 time my bags didnt make the flight. I was transferring from Amsterdam Schiopal Airport and had only 1 hour between my European flight and my transatlantic flight. I made the flight, my bag didnt.

When I arrived in LAX I just went to the lost luggage and as soon as I gave my details, they located my bag straight away, it was still in Amsterdam! The airline were great, they gave me a tracking number and a free phone number to call to check the status of my bag.

I wasnt staying in the LA area, I was going onwards to Santa Barbara county. The airline said no problem, whats the hotel name and address.

The next morning my bag was delivered to my hotel. This was back in 2005, when airlines didnt have APPS and everything was more old school.

Now everything is tracked with far better technology.

If you are in transit, just stop worrying and enjoy your travel. Most likely your bags will be on the carousel and you will have stressed for no reason.

 

[FCDub]

Add me to the “this is not worth stressing about” camp. But, also a good lesson in allowing yourself enough time to get to the airport early.

 

[sam_gordon]

In 18 years of international travel, and many transatlantic flights, there has been only 1 time my bags didnt make the flight. I was transferring from Amsterdam Schiopal Airport and had only 1 hour between my European flight and my transatlantic flight. I made the flight, my bag didnt.

Consider yourself lucky. Our last two international trips our bags didn't make it. The last one we had ~10 minutes to make a connection in Detroit. We barely made it, the bags didn't. They showed up in Barcelona two days later. Delta reimbursed us for buying clothes, AND delivered the bags to our hotel.

In 2012, we went to Mexico. At least one of our bags didn't make it. Delta delivered the bags to our hotel (an hour away from the airport).

There's been at least two domestic trips where our bags didn't make it. Delta delivered the bags to us the next day both times (late flights).

 

[DirectGirl]

Our bags made it!!! Thanks for all the advice. I would never check a bag except for that I'm traveling with a two and four year old so I always check a bag these days and a car seat . actually two car seats. And a stroller. It's a fun family weekend and we are so thankful that we have our bags! It wasn't the magic Express but I certainly felt like I got some Disney Magic when I saw my bags on the conveyor belt.

 

[DirectGirl]

Add me to the “this is not worth stressing about” camp. But, also a good lesson in allowing yourself enough time to get to the airport early.

Yes. That WAS the plan... I mean the bags were packed a week in advance, in the car the night before, and our alarms went off at the right time. Just had some baby explosions that slowed us down!

 

[AngiTN]

Life lesson 2: Never check luggage. With careful packing, you can absolutely make it with a carry-on, and that completely removes the possibility of lost luggage. Putting aside the luggage issue, consider how you can apply this to other parts of your life: where else would simplifying make your life more stress-free?

No way. You can not absolutely make it with a carry on for every trip. People travel for various length of times and at some seasons, it's simply impossible in a 20" carry on
Besides, if you have to fly small aircraft it won't help you anyway. They have to be gate checked unless it fits under the seat. And I had my gate checked bag left at a gate one trip.

 

[MrsPete]

No way. You can not absolutely make it with a carry on for every trip. People travel for various length of times and at some seasons, it's simply impossible in a 20" carry on Besides, if you have to fly small aircraft it won't help you anyway. They have to be gate checked unless it fits under the seat. And I had my gate checked bag left at a gate one trip.

Sure you can. When I was a kid, my parents both worked for an airline, and we could fly free ... but it was "space available". We had these BITTY LITTLE suitcases with the company logo on them -- seriously, they were like 40% the size of a typical carry-on today. As employees flying free, they were allowed ONE of those specific bags per person + a purse /other bag. And since we were always "space available", we had to have them in our hands.

Since my Dad is not an American, we frequently visited relatives in his home country -- sometimes short trips, sometimes more than a week, all seasons. We often did laundry and/or bought toiletries, etc. upon arrival. The choice was pack light or pay. Certainly makes packing light look attractive.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Sure you can. When I was a kid, my parents both worked for an airline, and we could fly free ... but it was "space available". We had these BITTY LITTLE suitcases with the company logo on them -- seriously, they were like 40% the size of a typical carry-on today. As employees flying free, they were allowed ONE of those specific bags per person + a purse /other bag. And since we were always "space available", we had to have them in our hands.

Since my Dad is not an American, we frequently visited relatives in his home country -- sometimes short trips, sometimes more than a week, all seasons. We often did laundry and/or bought toiletries, etc. upon arrival. The choice was pack light or pay. Certainly makes packing light look attractive.

and thats great for you, it worked for you as you were visiting family.

but not everyone is in the same situation , to have transport or time to go shopping or do laundry while on holiday.

Also it depends on the type of clothes needed at your destination. Cold weather clothes are more bulky than warm weather clothes. Cold weather shoes are more bulky than warm weather shoes.

For example a few weeks ago, I went to Lisbon Portugal for a week long conference. I had a checked bag and cabin bag. I was there for 6 days, and at the conference 9am to 5pm for 4 days. No way or time to do laundry, no time to go shopping for toiletries.