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Most Baggage Lost Ever!
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There are some records that should never be broken. Take, for example, the dubious aviation record set in December 2004: US airlines "mishandled" 432,000 bags during that month.
Just when you thought air travel couldn't get any worse, the US Department of Transportation announced that last August a new record was set when 437,000 pieces of luggage were "lost, delayed, damaged or stolen" during this 31-day period.
A big part of the problem was the new regulations involving dangerous liquids that forced many people into checking baggage they normally wouldn't have checked. This resulted in a simple equation: more bags checked = more bags to lose.
But, come on folks! An average of 14,100 bags a day? That's a pretty big dose of incompetence if you ask me.
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
Aline Del Ve Oct 12th 2006 6:56AM
Its not just the baggage that is lost, on a recent trip from Newark to Tampa, I had 3 boxes of "Woman "perfume stolen from my bag which was checked in, a cost to me of over $155. Unfortunatly, I couldn't do anything about it, my friend had his 2 botles of Kahula also taken from his checked baggage, we should go back to the old days of luggage being locked, I'm sure some one is now smelling pretty and having a good time on our liquor.
susan Oct 12th 2006 7:07AM
probably happened in Philly, they should fire all the morons who work handling baggage, just lazy and don't care. I had a bag that was covered in a vanilla milkshake, I had waited so long for bags I just wanted to get out of there.
Sondra Oct 12th 2006 7:13AM
I have a "phobia" of losing my under clothes when I go on a trip. So I make sure all my undies go on the plane with me. I would hate for some pervert to end up with them.And I feel sorry for that woman who lost all the perfume.Ya know I live in Florida,and I flew in at trampa, I had stuff missing, but I thought maybe I left it behind. Now Im curious!
bill Oct 12th 2006 7:31AM
thats there second job is to take your stuff
Lara Oct 12th 2006 7:35AM
I agree. American Airlines at JFK in terminal 9is one of the worst. On an average day you would wait 2-3 hours for your baggage. Returning from a cruise, the airline lost my mom's luggage for over 1 1/2 weeks. Thankfully they did eventually find it, but they point blank told her they had no idea where her bag was. Fortunately it happened on the way home, but if it had happened on the way to the cruise, she would've had no clothes for almost a week. Airlines shouldn't even be allowed to get away with such gross incompetence. Other professions have consequences, and so should the airline industry.
BRIAN Oct 12th 2006 7:36AM
Yes! my friend was with American Airlines and her laptop was blantently stolen during the time the goverment said people couldn't check their bags. There should be some type of digital signature in place to track each bag handler Like UPS and Fedex use. Baggage handlers should use upc codes they put on packages on bags to let the airlines know that they touched them. All bags should be sealed with special tape. If the tape is broken you know contents have been comprised. Bags should also be checked and sealed in front of each passenger. I tell you this however, if American Airlines cannot track a bag handler who stoled my friends laptop that means, that American Airlines and other airlines still have major holes and problems in tracking terroist or people who might harm others on airlines.
JOSEPH JONES Oct 12th 2006 7:41AM
It is bad when some of the baggage handlers take your liquor, or you jewelry, or your perfume, but I have high blood pressure and what I had STOLEN, was my medicine....Try going to another state on a weekend without your "Prescribed" medicine". I NEVER take a flight without wondering what will be missing on the other end of the flight. A plane is just a big bus with smaller seats, no wings, and LOTS of idiots and THIEVES.
Joe
tom Oct 12th 2006 7:49AM
I have an electric razor and watch taken from mine, they found the electric razor which they said "must have fallen out" but no sign of the watch http://www.phillynutrition.com
Auntie Oct 12th 2006 8:00AM
The amount you can be compensated for any loss in your luggage does not even cover the expense you incur to replace it. If this what the airlines is going to require us to do, leaving luggage unlocked etc, they should OFFER a responsible replacement insurance policy to compensate you according to the contents.....complete the form prior to releasing the baggage etc with an affixed dollar amount of insurance with verification of an employee, maybe when they pay out a few more bucks, they will then screen and search for your luggage with a little more diligence.
Sondra Oct 12th 2006 8:05AM
I will be flying from florda to deleware in nowvenber, and i will be buying a new suitcase. I guess I will look for one with a lock on it, not just a zipper.And if you can believe this, My boyfriend is a big fan of the philly eagles, and he got a picture of Owens signed just before he stopped playing. That was stolen!I hope that person doesnt get a lot of money for it.If anyone has some tips on how to make sure i keep all my stuff on a trip email me please!
chrandson89@aol.com
Cindy Oct 12th 2006 8:07AM
You can use those TSA locks which can only be opened by inspectors supposedly. That way the baggage handlers can't open the luggage and rifle through your belongings. You can get the TSA locks at most airport locations or luggage stores. Anyhow, it's worth a try. I use them and haven't had anything stolen.
Jessica Oct 12th 2006 8:08AM
Since loosing my daughters medication and other important items. We are now shipping our valuables by Fedex or UPS, to insure that we have them when we arrive to our vacation spot.
maria Oct 12th 2006 8:15AM
.....AA delayed our luggage for 5 days...we're talking over 50 pieces of luggage for our group was delayed....it stayed in Florida while we were on a flight to a third world...
Darren McQuaid Oct 12th 2006 8:17AM
A good friend of mine flying home from Iraq for R&R, brought 3 Frollex's (fake rollex's) in his checked luggage and a commenorative coin given to him by the millitary for outstanding work. All of it made it through customs with no problems but when he picked up his luggage at the end of his commuter flight the watches and coin were gone but the packaging they were in was left in his luggage. Airline comment "Sorry, they must have fallem out there's nothing we can do"
As for myself, I have had problems with damaged luggage well above the usual damage. And for those who watched the live news broadcast of the baggage handlers just tossing the luggage out on the ground for inspection. It was apparent to me they were put off by having to do the work and this was there way of demonstrating it! Needless to say now when I take a R&R I rent a car when I get into the U.S. and drive the rest of the way home.
colin diamond daniel Oct 12th 2006 8:20AM
continental flight from Knoxville Tn, to Guadalajara Mexico,, when I opened my bag at home there were pills scatered in my bag and the bottle was missing, content pain killers, street value, % 10.00 each, I watched my bag being unloaded in Mexico and I watched the cart take it directly to the terminal where it immediately showed up on the baggage pick up, no time there to go through it, my plane was late getting to Houston so there was no time there to open it as they only had 20 minutes to put it on my connecting flight. This leaves Knoxville, very small airport and you are required to check in 2 hours early for internatioal flights leaving my bag open for whatever. When I took my bag to TSA I ask if they wanted to look inside and the two agents said no, it would be opened in the back and inspected there. inspected or robbed, 2 hours, plenty of time to do whatever by TSA, if it had not been for the fact that 11 of my pills were scattered in my bag I might have thought I had left the bottle of 60 pills at behind but this could not have been the case. I know I should not have put my medication in checked baggage but I already had 1 carry on, my laptop and no room for medication, the culprit in my humble opinion, TSA, they had more time with it than anyone and they said they would open it in the back, I'm sure they did just that and opened my medication which in a back room environment contaminates every pill bottle they opened. What happen to the inspection at check in while you stand there and watch, by letting TSA inspect in the back room is giving them a license to steal and contaminate. thanks terrorist, you are turning americans against americans and making theives out of people who are paid to protect us. Bottom line, don't always blame the baggage handlers, TSA opens your bags and has more time with them than anyone in the loop.
Chica Oct 12th 2006 8:31AM
Yes, airlines do "lose" a lot of bags but 98% of them are located and returned to the pax in a short time, usually the same or next day. Usually the bag misses the pax flight and is fwdd on the next flight. I know since I worked at a major aircarrier's Baggage Service. As to meds, jewelry, etc., people should carry those onboard the aircraft and NOT store them in checked bags...but so many people don't abide but that common sense rule. Your valuables should be on your person at all times esp when it comes to meds. Believe me, I'm not defending lost bags but wanted to make a few points that the traveling public may not know
J Browne Oct 12th 2006 8:36AM
We still have 3 bags lost in Italy in July. There is no way to talk with Alitalia. All requests have to be made by FAX or direct letter. After, seeing their operation, I'mm sure they are doing nothing about it and don't give a damn.
Murphy Oct 12th 2006 8:47AM
I just flew American from DFW to Kansas City and my checked bag when I got to my destination had been gone through which looked like a 2 year old, all the clothes messed up and the ties were undone. When I packed it, clothes had been ironed and neatly packed.
and secured with straps in suitcase. Also had a stain on one of my shirts that wasn't there before.
TSA is a joke going through luggage.
Carole Oct 12th 2006 8:57AM
OK, enough of the griping!
I have traveled enough times, and have learned; you don't pack what you can't afford to loose. That goes for clothes, jewelry, and so forth. Take the expensive stuff in a small carry on. That is allowed. Medications are allowed for diabetics that is liquid, you just have to prove it is really your stuff.
My bags get searched from time to time, and there is always a little piece of paper telling me that they have check the contents of the bag. I have NEVER lost a bag, nor has any of my family lost any. My sister-in-law takes groups on tour for a living and travels all over the world. Her only mishap was a face coming off a watch in the handling process. Some of her bags have taken an earlier flight, but never lost.
So, from now on; Don't pack anything you would miss. Don't pack enough clothes for 2 or 3 weeks, use the laundry, every hotel has one, and if not there is one in the town. Make an effort. Don't put temptation in your bags, if it is a gift; mail it early. If you loose something, for the most part there are stores where it can be replaced and if you can't replace it, don't take it on the flight. Use a little common sence.
Since 9/11, things have changed, and not all for the better. I have made the adjustments to go with it. My shoes are in the pan along with every other thing that I go into the airport with to be scanned. I no longer wear bras that have wires in them, nor do I wear costume jewelry. I have a passport, and the rest of the group I travel with has also purchase one.
When I started flying, I though I had to have a pair of shoes for every outfit that I took, and all the bling to go with it. I have read enough information on better packing, I can now pack for two weeks for my husband and myself in one large rolling bag. That includes our toiletries that we carry in one of the bags made just for that stuff.
There is really no need to pack more than several pairs of shoes. Depending on the location, and the season. Walking shoes, are a must. A pair of sandles, and dressy shoes if you are the type to dress for meals, or party.
Plan your packing in advance. Pack a couple of times early, and then think about what you don't mind looseing if your luggage is lost, and then pack again.
Our group is off to Las Vegas again in a few days. I watch the weather for Vegas a few days in advance to tell me what to pack and depending on what kind of activities we plan to do while there in the area. If I loose anything I know where there are stores to go and replace just about anything in my suit case. I have a large travel purse that I put my cameras, make-up, medications, and our passports. I had put water and other things in it as well, which I will no longer be doing.
Most airlines don't carry Pepsi which is now my biggest flying problem.
holly Oct 12th 2006 9:05AM
TAMPA AIRPORT - Last May 2005, We were standing at the baggage carosel and my sister's Louis Vitton garment bag was coming around and the man standing right beside her grabbed it. She told him that was her bag and he said he was sorry, he had one just like it. She pulled out her curling iron to prove that it was hers. He stood around for another minute and then disappeared. I watched him. Moral of the story: travel with cheap luggage and keep your eye on that too. My only regret is that I didn't mention it or describe him to the security guard so he could watch for him. I know he probably went right back there for the next flight.