Suggestions on flying with expensive luggage

Date: 5 September 2011
Airline: Delta, flight DL1923
Location: Atlanta, GA

I am writing to complain about damage caused to my Louis Vuitton luggage which occurred on my journey with Delta Airline on September 5, 2011 from New Orleans to Atlanta on Delta Airlines flight DL1923

On arrival at my destination in Atlanta airport, I discovered damage to my luggage. I express total disappointment in the way my luggage has been handled by Delta Airline. I declared the cost of my luggage at $4,700 and asked your staff to take good care of my luggage when I checked in.

My luggage was badly damaged during a recent flight on your airline and I have been unable to obtain appropriate compensation. Dona Stopper who is claim manager called me on May 7, 2012 asked for the original receipt and I did fax to her on May 14, 2012. However, Dona called me again and asks for more documents. I believed that she just want to run me around until I give up for this claim.

-Phillip

Suggestions from AirSafe.com
While nothing can prevent damage or loss to luggage and its contents, there are several things you can do to protect yourself:

- Buy insurance for your expensive travel items
- Consider packing expensive luggage within a larger piece of luggage
- Review airline baggage damage policies to find their reimbursement policies
- If you have a claim, be sure to keep all documentation
- Photograph the condition of expensive luggage before your flight

Allegiant Air checks carry-on bags and denies damage claims

Date: 24 Sepetember 2011
Location: Bellingham, WA
Airline: Allegiant Air, flight 278

This complaint is against Allegiant Air flight 278 dated September 24th 2011; flight from Bellingham, WA to Las Vegas, NV. The flight attendant inappropriately handled our carry on baggage to checked baggage on the plane without notifying us in advance.

Our carry on baggage has been scratched extensively and our 2 cell phones inside the carry-on have been malfunctioned after this incident. We reported this immediately at the airport and pursued the compensation for the carry-on and our two cell phones when we were back from vacation.

However, Allegiant Air claimed the carry on bag was just "minor" damage (Which we showed them the picture of our carry-on at the airport as well as picture through email)  and the malfunction of cell phones were unrelated to this; we found Allegiant Air didn't commit this fault which entirely made by them and didn't even take any further investigation and just gave us 2 $65 next flight voucher in order to settle this without paying attention what their customers lost from this incident!!!

Details of this complaint:
The flight we took through Allegiant Air on September 24th 2011; flight no 278 from Bellingham to Las Vegas . We have 0 checked bags and 2 carry-on.  My husband and I was at different section and when I tried to handle my carry-on to the top compartment ; a female flight attendant yelled to me said she could handle my carry-on for me ; she took my carry-on and asked me to go back to the seat. The flight attendant didn't tell me how to handle my carry-on and I thought at that time she just found some other vacant compartment on the plane to accommodate it.

After the plane arrived Las Vegas and I asked the flight attendant of my carry-on ; surprisingly  she told me I needed to go to baggage claim for my carry-on !!!! I was totally shocked at that time as my carry-on was a almost new and glossy colored which can't resist to any throwing and scratching and all my electronics were on the carry-on !!! My husband and I rushed to the baggage claim to wait for our poor carry-on ; and we found it was devastatingly scratched during the rough handling from the baggage storage area into the baggage claim area.

We reported this to Allegiant Air customer service at the airport and a guy called Jonathan gave us a Damaged Baggage report C 137 and we said and reported. When we flew back to Bellingham and back to our home town Vancouver BC, we found our cell phones haven't worked properly and shut down suddenly during calls ( we just bought the cell phones with 3 year contracts with Rogers Communications 1 year ago ) We report to Allegiant Air through email said other than our damaged baggage; our 2 cell phones also malfunction because of this incident.  There is a guy called Denise communicating with us for the claim ; at the beginning he asked the claim amount, all the receipt, pictures and evidences.

We gave them all and explained the situation in details. However, at the end, he said the claim department said the phones would not be covered because what he said at email " the on working phones cannot be related to the damage done to the bag, the bag has some minor damage but not such that the contents would be damaged; especially two cell phones within the bag and no other contents were damaged "  We were so furious when we received this comment as we found Allegiant Air just tried to shift back the responsibility back to us and thought we wanted to take an advantage from them !!!!

Firstly , we had two cell phones plainly placed on carry-on without extra protection ; we had two cameras with extra protection camera bag on the carry-on ; we had oneGPS with GPS bag on the carry on and we had some clothing on the carry on too. We reported to Allegiant air the malfunction of the two cell phones; we reported the two cameras seemed have no problem because of the camera bag; we report our GPS having little problem like very slow motion and didn't response sometime but we can accept even
without compensation; clothing? For sure no problem for checked bag.

Secondly, supposingly that was our carry on and all electronics items could be safely protected ; however, it is totally the flight attendant's fault that put our carry-on to be a checked bag without telling us !!! Should Allegiant Air responsibility for all the consequence ???? The last but not the least, we showed them the pictures of our scratched bag and it is 80 % of our carry-on  has been scratched by the throwing through the transportation ; can you image your cell phones dropped at least 5 times on the ground and still functioning properly ??? We don't think so...

As an airline company and has taken customers' complaint at 1st place ; we feel very disappointed and frustrated . We really want someone can help us in this issue and help us to get back the compensation which we deserve to get. Thank you .

-Mei

Why you should remove your valuables if you check your carry on

Flight Details
Airlines: Delta, Air France, KLM
Date: 15 March 2012

I am writing about a terrible experience I had in the USA.

At the beginning of March, I retired after serving for 30 years as a Police Officer. To celebrate this and our Pearl Wedding Anniversary, along with my wife Fiona, we went on a 7 day Caribbean Cruise, followed by 5 days in Orlando.

The whole package was booked through Thomson’s Travel Agent in Peterhead, with it being supplied by Royal Caribbean Cruises.

On our return I flew from Orlando Airport on 15 March 2012 on flight DL1707 to JFK. While at Gate 76 there was an request asking if anyone would be prepared to delay their flight and if they did they would be given a $200 voucher. I was unable to assist due to connecting flights.

Soon after a further request was made asking if anyone was prepared to put their hand luggage into the hold for the flight. I only had 1 small suitcase and agreed to put it into the hold, this was despite numerous other passengers having 4 or 5 pieces of luggage with them. I was told that I would next see my suitcase on my return to Aberdeen. My suitcase contained a camera case with a digital camera, camcorder and an underwater camera. Within these cameras were 3 SD cards with all of our holiday photographs/videos on them.

On my retirement my work colleagues bought me a football shirt in my teams colours as a leaving gift. I took this shirt with me to the 4 ports of call on the cruise and took a photograph, with the intention of putting these photos on a Thank You card.

On 7 March 2012, my retirement date, I had also had a photograph taken of me with a cake on the ship. We also visited Jamaica and while there we were very fortunate to see Prince Harry at a Plantation. My wife was 2 feet away from him and got some fantastic photographs. I was using my camcorder and also got some great footage.

Once we got back to Aberdeen my case was missing. I reported it to the KLM desk - reference number xxx. They checked their computer system and they located it at JFK. They (KLM) undertook to transport it to my home address via Amsterdam and I would get it back the next day.

The suitcase was delivered the next day and all of my cameras were missing, having been stolen.

Since then I have been pushed from pillar to post by KLM, Delta, Air France and also Royal Caribbean. I have made numerous telephone calls to Air France and on one of these calls I asked the female operator 5 or 6 times to speak to a Supervisor. This was refused and she then hung up the phone. The level of service is totally disgusting. Once they have your money no one seems to be interested.

This was to be a holiday of a lifetime. Someone at JFK has stolen my cameras. The SD cards are irreplaceable.

My initial estimate as to the value of the items stolen was 551.50 GBP. Air France subsequently replied with a message saying as a "goodwill gesture" they will give me 499 GBP to replace the “damaged” items. I replied to this reminding them that the items had been stolen not damaged and that I found this offer totally unacceptable.

I then sent them an up to date list of the cost of actually replacing the stolen items - 637.17 GBP.

I have been a victim of theft and I do not think that it is very fair that I have to be out of pocket. I have done absolutely nothing wrong whereas the thief has.

I have also had to make numerous international telephone calls to France and the USA to provided details. During one of the many conversations with Air France one of the operators said that they usually make an offer of 600 Euros in situations like this. It is interesting to note that 600 Euros is approximately 499 GBP. She also said that not all claims made are genuine, implying that I was telling lies. Wholly unacceptable.

Air France initially asked for receipts for the stolen items. Who keeps such receipts. I did send Air France, by Air Mail and again at my cost, photographs of the original boxes that the cameras were in

The sum of 499 GBP has subsequently been place into my bank account. I feel that this offer is derisory and I am entitled to compensation for what has basically spoiled the holiday of a lifetime.

My wife is heartbroken and devastated that someone could be so cruel.

- Derek

Question of the day - Can I take peanut butter in my carry on?

Sometimes at AirSafe.com, we get interesting questions about what the TSA allows in carry on baggage. Marie wrote in about whether she could carry an unusual combination, containers of peanut butter and tuna in the cabin in her carry on bag.

While I normally have a checked bag with “peanut butter in a jar” and “canned tuna”, on my upcoming trip to Jamaica, I am going overnight and plan to take a carry on. Can I take the “peanut butter in a jar” and “canned tuna” in my overnight carry-on luggage? These are the items my mom likes when I visit. Your response will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance

Marie,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I'm not sure about the rules on peanut butter, but it will likely be considered a liquid or gel, and not be allowed in the passenger cabin if the container is larger than 100 ml (3.4 oz). I'm assuming that your peanut butter container will be larger than this, so prepare to put it in checked baggage or to pack it in several smaller containers.

The can of tuna should not be a problem, but here is where there may be a gray area. Canned goods are not on TSA's list of prohibited items, but if the tuna can is greater than 3.4 oz capacity, and a TSA agent believes it contains a liquid, paste, or gel, then it is possible that the can will be confiscated.

I know it seems a bit odd that a TSA screener would think this way, but they do have wide latitude when it comes to allowing something through. My suggestion is to make sure that the label is on the tuna can.

I do hope that this is helpful. You may want to review tsa.airsafe.org, which has an overview of what is allowed and not allowed on an aircraft.

Flashback: Security Screening Before TSA
Before 9/11, airport screening was largely done by private contractors, and although baggage was not as thoroughly screened as they are now, carry on bags were typically x-rayed. After a visit with my parents, my mother sent me off with a bundle of her famous homemade enchiladas, which she froze and wrapped in aluminum foil.

Going though security, the security staff clearly saw a large, opaque, and roughly rectangular object in my bag, and they had a look of concern on their faces. Were this to happen today, I'd likely be hustled off to the side for some extra scrutiny. However, it was a different time and place (the place being Texas) and all I had to do was explain that it was my mother's frozen enchiladas, and their frowns turned to smiles as they waved me through.

Enchiladas photo: Will Merydith