Picking up your baggage at airports can often take
longer than anticipated, and there are several helpful
tips travelers can keep in mind when traveling with
extra bags.
Delays
If your bags are delayed upon
arrival, the airline traditionally has a means of tracking
them, and 98 percent of baggage is usually returned. If
the luggage is sent on the next flight, you could wait a
couple hours for return or have the airline company
bring the luggage when it is found. However, if the
bags are sent to another airport for any reason, it
could take a number of days to have them
returned. Additionally, many airline carriers will
reimburse you for unexpected expenses caused by the
delay.
Lost Baggage
In the case of baggage lost
by the airline company, be certain you get a written
claim for any possible damages, which can be picked up
at the airport or by mail. The claim will be different,
however, from the missing luggage forms you will be
required to fill out at the airport.
Traditionally, domestic flights rate airline baggage
liability at $2,500 per person. For international flights,
the airline baggage limit is $9.07 per pound for checked
baggage, $400 per person for carry-on bags.
Stolen Bags
Visit the baggage claim area
immediately upon departing your flight. The airlines will
scan bags as they are loaded onto the carousel and
keep records. However, once you leave the baggage
claim area, you are required to file a report with the
police.
Damaged Baggage
Check your bags
immediately for damage or other signs of tampering
during or after the flight. In the case of damaged
baggage, additionally, airline customer service will often
want to inspect the bag. It is likely you will be required
to produce a receipt for any repairs, so be sure to ask
the baggage-claim attendant at the airport for
further information about this procedure.
Helpful Tips
Travelers should also keep in mind several helpful tips
when packing bags, such as the following:
- Put your name on the outside and inside of your bags, and
include a copy of your itinerary inside the baggage in case
the airline carrier needs to find you.
- Pack valuables inside your carry-on bags, including
cameras, computers, jewelry, medication, passports and
confirmation numbers.
- Make sure the person checking your baggage attaches the
correct destination ticket to every checked bag, and you
should have a claim ticket for each bag.
According to the latest statistics from the Department of Transportation
from January to March of 2003 there were an average of
4.76 reports of mishandled baggage per 1,000 passengers for U.S. airlines.
* Information courtesy of National Tour Association
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