Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm hoping that there may be someone on these forums that either knows the AA processes, or even better works for them! I have a bit of a challenge that I'm looking for suggestions on:
I flew back from LHR to RDU on Monday of this week. Unfortunately, one of my cases didnt make the journey with me
I've filed a case with the AA baggage people, and have been in regular contact since. However I keep getting conflicting information:
1) Firstly, was told that the bag was completely lost
2) Then was told it was definitely at Heathrow still, but not sure when it will make its way over here
3) Was then told the bag was lost again (!)
4) Was finally told the bag was on the flight yesterday, and should have landed last night. I live close to RDU to pick up the bag myself - it wasnt there
5) Was then advised that the bag was 200% for sure at LHR still, but not sure when it will arrive in RDU
6) Was told this morning that it may or may not be at Heathrow - and the person that told me yesterday that it was there, was actually "hoping" rather than certain!
I cannot understand that AA do not know where the bag is. Whilst it is frustrating to not have it already - I know that "things happen" and it may not have made the flight (even though my other one did). However, why on earth cant they tell me where the bag is - isnt that what those tags & barcodes are for when you check in? The only story I am getting is that the bags are not checked when they are loaded on the plane - which I find hard to believe, otherwise wouldnt they have all sorts of bags all over the place all the time!? And what about Customs issues?
All I want to know is where the bag is, and when it is likely to be loaded onto a plane at LHR to make its way here - even if this isnt going to be for another few days - so that I can rest easy that it is under control
Alongside this, I've been told that their compensation is only $9 per lb, meaning the case would be around $500-600 in its entirety. This is different to domestic liability, where it is apparently $3,300 per bag - surely this is the wrong way around!
As you can probably tell, I'm extremely frustrated by the inability to just get a straight answer as to what is going on - has anyone got any advice they could kindly offer?
Be sure to document each person you talk to and the time you talked to them and the (mis)information they provide. Regardless of what happens with the bag, I'd write a letter to AA detailing the conflicting information. You might get a free flight or something out of it.
Hope you get the bag back.
I was told my bad was lost one time and it turned up in a storage warehouse in Dallas 2 months later empty but a pair of underwear. They were clean I don't know why they didn't take those too.
Thanks for the advise - have already compiled a pretty lengthy list!
The plot has thickened though - I've spoken to the baggage guys at LHR, and they have advised that they think they've found my bag, but the tag had come off - hence the delay. Apparently, it should be on tomorrows flight - not holding my breath though!
Location: The Raider Nation._ Our band kicks brass
1,853 posts, read 9,658,058 times
Reputation: 2341
It's easier than you think to lose a bag. Tags come off, or the entire bag falls off of the cart. They are open sided carts with curtains on them. Many times they don't get closed. There have been many times that I have driven in to work, and found bags laying on an access road. We have even found sacks of U.S. mail. They say thanks for letting them know about the mail, but are very firm about not touching it. "Leave it there, we'll come to get it."
Years ago, I taxied a plane off the gate to the hangar. We pulled it into the taildocks, did our routine docking, and safety checks, and went to break. A while later we opened the bag bins, and found them stuffed with luggage. Phone calls were made, and the baggage people were jumping through their butts that night. I'm sure there were a lot of torqued off passengers wondering how somebody could lose not just the luggage, but an entire airplane.
Moral of the story: NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER check a bag!
I spent seven weeks in various places on one trip, and took only a 20" suitcase and a large canvas "handbag", both as carry-ons. Worked fine, and through 11 flights on various airlines, I kept eveything I owned.
They charge for checked bags now anyways. How retarded is that? I guess all you're supposed to bring with you is what you can fit in a fanny pack and your pockets.
It's not like they're replacing that extra weight saved with peanuts and snacks, either. They don't even feed you on long flights anymore - not that it was ever good food. At least it was a kind gesture.
Seriously, good luck. I hope you get your stuff back whole and unmolested soon.
The latest is that apparently the tag came off the bag, so they struggled to identify it, but they think they now have it. I've been told all sorts, but the bag should be on a flight within the next few days - funnily enough I won't hold my breath.
BTW - I've only found this out by calling the baggage claim desk at London Heathrow!! The US based folk have still been pretty useless
I wish not checking a bag was an option, unfortunately I'm not a light traveller - not to mention the other half!
Loss bags is much re frequent wirth teh handling now days that when it was mostly done by hand.Such is modern life that keeps air travel reasonable in price.
Moral of the story: NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER check a bag!
I spent seven weeks in various places on one trip, and took only a 20" suitcase and a large canvas "handbag", both as carry-ons. Worked fine, and through 11 flights on various airlines, I kept eveything I owned.
No. The moral of the story is NOT to fly American Airlines.
When I was working in a St. Louis hotel as a front desk manager, 90% of the "lost" bags from customers came from American and United. At the time (prior to the TWA acquisition), those two airlines represented about 10-20% of the traffic.
Personally, I have flown several hundred flights on Southwest, always check luggage and get it on time.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.