Tag Archives for baggage.
American Airlines has had to remind agents that not everything passengers call a medical device qualifies for free checked-bag treatment, because people are apparently showing up with items like hospital beds, massage tables, wagons, and even soap. The update is useful not just for what it says about baggage policy, but for what it reveals about the inventiveness of travelers trying to turn oversized or oddball items into fee-free luggage.
We’ve all done it, shown up late to the airport and tried to check in. The line is too long, and time is creeping by as you run up against the check-in deadline, and the airline’s app and kiosks won’t work for some reason. You need an agent’s help, and by the time you reach the front of the line it’s going to be too late.
A 27-year old drunk Russian man from Yalta City took a unique approach to an all-too common situation.
There are videos everywhere in the airport, yet some people think it’s a good place to steal. They’re not entirely wrong since in most airport thefts no one gets caught.
In Atlanta, though, a man caught on camera stealing bags off of a carousel at baggage claim has been identified and is now in custody. He was caught because Atlanta’s airport police were already familiar with him from previous run-ins. Everyone returns to the scene of the crime.
A 9 year old boy got caught up in the inner workings of the Minneapolis St. Paul airport baggage system on Saturday but after nearly 5 minutes inside wound up unscathed.
About 20 people were checking in baggage together for a trip when the child “dove onto the bag belt as it left the ticketing lobby to go down into where all the conveyors separate the bags to wherever they’re going to go to the proper airplane.”
Some travelers think when you buy new luggage, you have to worry about it getting dinged and scraped, but I don’t think that’s true. The whole point of luggage is to protect what’s inside of it. Getting nicked is literally what it’s for. And the well-worn look just means the luggage has been with you through many journeys.
But what if you want your bags to look damaged from the start, like a new pair or torn jeans?
When checked baggage gets lost and can’t be reunited with its owner – or someone just doesn’t pick up their luggage – airlines sell the bags after 90 days to the Unclaimed Baggage Center which has built a monopoly in the niche business of selling used items out of luggage.
The store is in Scottsboro, Alabama. They buy bags sight unseen. They comb through the bags to find what to sell, and claim to dry clean clothing they plan to sell and wipe electronics before making those available. The store is a tourist attraction. And now they’re online.
Ever since David Dao was dragged off a United Express flight by police and beaten last April it’s been clear to most people that we have a problem in the airline industry. Customer service problems are turned into law enforcement problems.
Delta called the police on a woman who began taping her interaction in the baggage service office at Boston Logan airport. No law was being broken and no one was in physical danger.
Checked bag fees have gone up, at United to $30, but passengers aren’t getting more for their money. Instead the typical baggage experience is like this — just watching your bags get ignored. For $30 they should receive a private escort!
Now an everyday hero named Ephraim Sibeko is going viral for one man’s fight to keep suitcases straight and undamaged as they’re delivered to passengers.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
