My daughter howled in anger when the airline forgot to load her bag full of her important mementos from friends. We realized later that the tag was also missing - so we cannot even file a claim! Next time, check those luggage tags. This can easily happen when you have a lot of bags and has no time to make sure everything has been accounted for.
Good point. I know a lot of people that also slip a note inside the bag with a current address and at least a phone number. That way, in case all else fails, a look inside the bag will still give some way of getting in touch with the owner.
A fellow passenger in a flight to Lesotho from Johannesburg airport found his luggage ripped and some things missing. Then later we found out at least 3 bags were also victimized. Would the airline be able to pay for this? Terrible!
One tip is never to check-in an expensive-looking bag especially on remote destinations. It's hot in the eyes and most likely would be prey to thieves. A very ordinary-looking and cheap one has its advantages most of the time.
You first report the missing bag to the airline. You show them your baggage claim. They usually ask you to identify the type of bag. My airlines use a chart of various bags and you choose the one closest to your bag. The final airline you use is responsible for tracking down the bag and getting it to your home or hotel.
Are you saying your daughter can not find her baggage claim receipt or that (somehow) you know that the tag on the bag is missing? The airline computer link should produce the receipt number if she actually checked in a bag.
What to do? When you check in with a bag have identification in the bag. My bags have outside pockets where I place my name and a way to contact me along with the current airline CONFIRMATION NUMBER. The Confirmation Number identifies you and your flight itinerary. When you turn the bag in actually examine the tag attached to the handle and verify that it is going to the right destination. My bags are all beat up now. They are unique because I have my initials 2 inches high on either end and on the bottom along with distinctive colored tape. If anyone walks off with my bag it will NOT be a mistake! Everyone has digital cameras now days. Take a few photos of the bag you are using on your trip. This will make it easier to identify the bag if it gets lost.
If you are using a series of different airlines with different Confirmation Numbers IF the bags are to be forwarded or not depends on the customer giving the first ticket agent the confirmation numbers for the following flights. This is when the customer should verify that the baggage tag on the luggage handle is the final stop not an intermediate stop where she would have to claim the bag and recheck it!
Your daughter is responsible for her baggage claim tag - not keeping it is her fault! But when I fly I know that the airline computers can come up with the baggage claim number even if you do not have the tag. If she had a series of different airlines check with the first airline again to get the baggage claim number.
The airline might have misplaced the bag but not verifying the tags and losing the claim ticket is your daughter's fault!
I know it was our fault. But no point blaming anyone. We're at the end of our two-day trip and everyone's exhausted. Add to that that we brought our cat and everyone's worried of him, the bags were sidelined. Learning from experience is a good thing. It never happened to us ever again.
The tips you gave were very helpful, especially taking photos of the bags for easy identification. I never thought of that but next time around, photos and tags will certainly be in order.
[ 14-Feb-2011, at 06:08 by LaguardiaC ]
"Add to that that we brought our cat and everyone's worried of him...."
How's the cat?
The cat was fine. He became a celebrity at the airport with all the attention from travelers. His name is Paws. He safely arrived home after enduring his first and last trip abroad.
My daughter howled in anger when the airline forgot to load her bag full of her important mementos from friends. We realized later that the tag was also missing - so we cannot even file a claim! Next time, check those luggage tags. This can easily happen when you have a lot of bags and has no time to make sure everything has been accounted for.
hi,
being in this scenario would piss me off.
i could have punch an employee if my important baggage would be left out.
i have seen videos in youtube about the wrong handling of luggages and packages
by airline employees and they are very disturbing.
they don't even have proper procedure in loading and unloading our stuff in the airlines.
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