Damaged Luggage
Jun 4th, 2005, 07:01 PM
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Damaged Luggage
On a recent trip to Germany, my husband's luggage was damaged. He flew on Air Canada,(Star Alliance Partner)using his United Frquent Flyer Miles. He did not lock his luggage. He did not use plastic ties, either. When his luggage was being inspected at Toronto's Customs, he noticed that the zipper pulls were missing, and the zipper itself was also damaged.
United and Air Canada's response at the airport was that they were not responsible for any damage to anything outside the luggage, including wheels, handles, zippers, etc. I would like to know if anyone else has had this experience, and what response did you get when trying to file a claim?
We have written United, but have had no response from them, as of yet. Thanks
United and Air Canada's response at the airport was that they were not responsible for any damage to anything outside the luggage, including wheels, handles, zippers, etc. I would like to know if anyone else has had this experience, and what response did you get when trying to file a claim?
We have written United, but have had no response from them, as of yet. Thanks
Jun 4th, 2005, 08:24 PM
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And what this means is one's checked baggage (and its owner) is of no value to the airlines. If one's luggage isn't damaged then something is stolen from it. Everything of value has to be hand carried to prevent theft so what are we to check in--just our dirty laundry? They even steal your shoes.
Jun 5th, 2005, 02:23 AM
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When flying Pittsburgh to Frankfurt on US Airways and then Lufthansa to Paris a couple of years ago the zipper pulls were actually cut off of my husband's luggage. It must have been a pretty stong metal cutter as only the very small loop end remained and they were clean cuts.
No one would claim responsibility. Maybe we didn't make enough of a fuss.
No one would claim responsibility. Maybe we didn't make enough of a fuss.
Jun 5th, 2005, 12:16 PM
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Gosh, I was hoping someone would be able to offer me some hope that the airlines would actually cover the damage to my husband's suitcase. Thanks for your insight into the real world of the airline industry.
Francophile03 - I am in agreement with you. We, the passengers, are treated no better than our luggage these days. Cattle in a cattle car, comes to mind. No friendly conversations and we are not really free to move about the cabin, without getting the "evil eye." It is not much fun anymore.
Francophile03 - I am in agreement with you. We, the passengers, are treated no better than our luggage these days. Cattle in a cattle car, comes to mind. No friendly conversations and we are not really free to move about the cabin, without getting the "evil eye." It is not much fun anymore.
Jun 5th, 2005, 02:57 PM
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Terry--I can give you a story of hope
In 2001, we were returning to the states on BA and my daughters bag had been broken into. There was a lock on it, but when we got the bag the lock was gone as were the entire zipper pulls. She had a plastic bag full of candy inside, and that bag has been torn open. I guess the baggage handlers thought there might be something good in there, lol! Anyway, her bag was a total loss. My bag on that same flight had the lock pried open and mangled, but that was it. We took pictures of both bags and sent a letter to BA with a requested amount of the unusable bag and the two locks. Several weeks later we actually received a letter and a check for the full amount.
In 2001, we were returning to the states on BA and my daughters bag had been broken into. There was a lock on it, but when we got the bag the lock was gone as were the entire zipper pulls. She had a plastic bag full of candy inside, and that bag has been torn open. I guess the baggage handlers thought there might be something good in there, lol! Anyway, her bag was a total loss. My bag on that same flight had the lock pried open and mangled, but that was it. We took pictures of both bags and sent a letter to BA with a requested amount of the unusable bag and the two locks. Several weeks later we actually received a letter and a check for the full amount.
