B777A340Fan From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 749 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 9633 times:
I recently returned from CA and was waiting for my luggage (standard black Samsonite roller), but never saw it coming. I thought to myself that they must've lost it somewhere. But on my way to the luggage counter, I see someone rolling out of the airport with my luggage. I quickly run towards that passenger and reclaim my belonging. Come to think of it, if I wasn't "lucky" that time, I could've easily lost my luggage to some careless passenger not bothered to match the tag to their name. Had I even walked up the the airline and filed a claim, they wouldn't have brought it back, unless the passenger was honest enough to bring it back. Would the airline be responsible for my luggage? Has this ever happened to anybody? I mean, isn't it easy to just walk out with someone else's luggage or just take one extra and steal the items inside? This is especially easy to do since TSA's "no-lock" rules. I remember there used to be people at the exit making sure you took your own luggage, but I don't see that anymore....
CitationJet From United States of America, joined Mar 2003, 2235 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 9621 times:
That is why I tape a large blue X on all sides of my luggage. It makes it very obvious to see. No one can "mistakenly" pick up your bag by mistake.
Also, if you are immediately boarding a one week cruise, for example, there is no way to get your luggage switched back, even if was an accidental switch.
Another thing about luggage is that most people have their home address on the outside of their luggage. Since you are only traveling TO your home half the time, and the other half of the time you are traveling somewhere else, it only makes since to put your destination address on your luggage rather than your home address. If your airline destination tag comes off on your outbound trip, the last place you want your luggage to be sent is back home.
CV990 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 9615 times:
Hi!
That's something quite scary and you're right, there are some people that don't even care about look to tags etc. etc. But I tell you the most caotic moment I had at the luggage counter was in FIH ( Kinshasa/RDCongo ), everybody was leaning over the luggage area trying to find out their piece, strange people would deliberately get inside the mechanic ramp and pick luggage from anyone so they could latter get some money, it was a completely caos, but the good thing was whe I got my suitcase the controller guy would check the number in my ticket with the number in the suitcase...I think they probably know that already.
Regards
B777A340Fan From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 749 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 9588 times:
Quoting CitationJet (Reply 1): That is why I tape a large blue X on all sides of my luggage
Yup, I also have a red string attached to the handle of my luggage, but I think people may be color blind or can't seem to distinguish it.
GBan From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 9564 times:
Quoting B777A340Fan (Thread starter): Has this ever happened to anybody? I mean, isn't it easy to just walk out with someone else's luggage or just take one extra and steal the items inside? I remember there used to be people at the exit making sure you took your own luggage, but I don't see that anymore...
Actually happened to me once. Recognized my roller since it has some specific damages. So I thought, and someone else thought the same thing
LH customer service connected us and we met to exchange. Since that day I do read the tags, no matter how sure I am.
That's something quite scary and you're right, there are some people that don't even care about look to tags etc. etc. But I tell you the most caotic moment I had at the luggage counter was in FIH ( Kinshasa/RDCongo ), everybody was leaning over the luggage area trying to find out their piece, strange people would deliberately get inside the mechanic ramp and pick luggage from anyone so they could latter get some money, it was a completely caos, but the good thing was whe I got my suitcase the controller guy would check the number in my ticket with the number in the suitcase...I think they probably know that already.
Regards
That's why in Nigeria nowadays everybody has to show that the luggage tag matches the part you retained during check-in. I guess problems like you described persisted in some Nigerian airports as well. That said, I wonder why there are no checks like that in any other airport in the world. It's very easy just to take someone else's luggage (with or without intent) and walk out.
JoeCanuck From Canada, joined Dec 2005, 5018 posts, RR: 29 Reply 6, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 9439 times:
It's the same in China and Ukraine, to name a couple more. I think it's a great idea. It only takes a moment to have a couple of people verify the tags match. Who knows how much lost luggage was 'accidentally' stolen. Pretty easy to do if the luggage gets to the conveyor before the passengers get off the plane.
AlexPorter From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 9356 times:
I'm usually that guy who stands as close as possible to where the bags come out so I can find my bag before someone else does. But I'm getting pretty sick of it, especially here in PHX where the bags might come down the carousel the same day if you're lucky... but I've never had someone else take my bag.
However, the other day at Quiznos I accidentally took someone else's sandwich since the same type of meat was on it, it got done at about the time I expected it to, and the person's name sounded similar, but order numbers weren't used, even though we had them. The name wasn't spot on with the pronunciation but I assumed this was because the employee most likely only knew English as a second language and wasn't pronouncing the "X" properly. I only noticed the mistake once I started eating it and suddenly the person kept repeating my name a bit more clearly this time. I realized my sandwich was bigger than normal and spicier too. I can't imagine how bad I'd feel if I made it home with someone else's luggage! (Although at least luggage can be returned - I can't return a half-eaten sandwich!) So I always check in multiple spots - the tag I put on, the actual claim tag from the airline which has my name and flight itinerary on it, etc.
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 9, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 9318 times:
Quoting B777A340Fan (Thread starter): I remember there used to be people at the exit making sure you took your own luggage, but I don't see that anymore....
The only time I have EVER seen that in all of the times I have been flying in my lifetime was when I returned from trip from back east in 1989. This was in SEA. And Ive only seen this done once. I think the reason as to why it was stopped was because it was too expensive for the Port of Seattle (and everywhere else) to pay for this kind of service.
It would be nice to bring that service back. But then again, it would crowd up the baggage claim worse than it should be.
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
N14AZ From Germany, joined Feb 2007, 2313 posts, RR: 25 Reply 10, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 9274 times:
In Bucharest OTP the technicians have the bad habit of taking off some luggage from the belt when there are too many suitcases on the belt. Last time I waited on one side of the conveyor belt and had not seen that they had taken my suitcase off the belt. I got really worried, started to complain loudly about my airline. When walking to the airlines office I finally found it...
GOCAPS16 From Japan, joined Jan 2000, 4298 posts, RR: 23 Reply 11, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 9247 times:
Yup! Happened to me years ago flying from DFW-BWI on AA. Everytime I fly in or out of BWI, I always spend some time at the observation area inside the terminal and checking out the aviation store they had. Well, after I got off this flight, I headed over there for about half an hour to beat the rush of the people on my flight to the baggage claim. Well, I thought, by the time I get to the baggage claim to pick up my baggages, it would be in clear sight and ready for me to take it and go home. Apparently, I was wrong. After buying several aircraft models from the store, it was time for me to go home and make the hour drive to Virginia. Well, something wasn't right, and no where in sight, is my baggage. All of the passengers had left and there were a few unclaimed bags near the bulkhead, but I couldn't find mine. I filed a missing claim and went home, hoping I'd be lucky. The agent said that there was another flight from DFW on it's way a few hours later, so if it's in Dallas, then it would be on that plane. Well, several hours later, approx. 10 at night, I got a call from AA. They told me that they have my bag and that a passenger that was on my flight, took it by accident, and then brought it back to BWI. Apparently, his bag was still at the airport and I guess he was in a hurry and took mine instead without ID'ing the bag first.
This was also before the TSA days, where we had the right to lock our check baggage. However, AA did a good job and sent someone to deliver my "lost" bag at my house and was relieved to get my personal belongings back, even tho, it was just clothes, and didn't mind the $2000 check to buy newer clothes.
Ever since, after arrival, I head straight to the claim area to retrieve my check bag and always use an identifiable baggage tags or display airline stickers all over, whichever works.
Bond007 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 5098 posts, RR: 8 Reply 12, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 9204 times:
In the US, it would make the process a LOT easier, if they made the pax stand behind lines 5-10ft away from the carousel, and ONLY go up to carousel when your bag is on it... in Europe they do this, right? Much more chance of everyone seeing their luggage, instead of a free-for-all crowding the carsousel.
A couple of stories ... flew into CLT once with a co-worker, picked up bags and headed for a 2hr drive to the office ... well, 1hr into the trip, my co-worker realizes he has somebody else's bag !!!!! U-turn, back to the airport, where the poor guy was still waiting to get it back!
.... another one, somebody obviously thought my bag was theirs, so they removed it from the belt, realized it wasn't, then just left it on the floor without putting it back on belt!!!! I didn't know until the very last bags were removed, and then I see MY bag just sitting on the floor!!!
Oh well ... the joys of flying.
Jimbo
I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!
LH526 From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 2257 posts, RR: 17 Reply 13, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 9155 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
That's why I ALWAYS double check if the tag matches. (Name, number, ...)
Quoting Bond007 (Reply 13): In the US, it would make the process a LOT easier, if they made the pax stand behind lines 5-10ft away from the carousel, and ONLY go up to carousel when your bag is on it... in Europe they do this, right?
I see no difference in carousel etiquete in FRA and e.g. IAD or JFK
Mario
LH526
Trittst im Morgenrot daher, seh ich dich im Strahlenmeer ...
TPAnx From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 1021 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 9155 times:
I've only seen luggage tags/tickets checked at LAX...and that was years ago.
Agree with those who say you should make your luggage very identifiable...would help a lot if you see it heading out the door. Having said that..decades ago..my cousin grabbed a suitcase at Greyhound which looked just like his..among the tips that it wasn't..was the gun he found inside! Back to the bus station!!
TPAnx
AI From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2005, 318 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 8986 times:
my uncle did that a few years ago as well.
Travelled from LHR to NBO on KQ.
Now, he is not the most alert person you will meet & especially after a tiring flight. He & my aunt picked up what they thought was their luggage. They had arrived early in the morning apparently. They went to my aunts brothers place & did not need to open that particular bag till that night. It was only when the key didnt fit in properly when they tried to open it before going to bed, they realised that they had someone elses bag. That poor soul.
Since then I always stand as close to the bag arrival point on the carousel as possible.
NG1Fan From Australia, joined Aug 2007, 446 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 8903 times:
A friend of my father's went one better: an airline which shall remain nameless mixed up his suit jacket with that of another gentleman sitting in business class. All went well until he got to the hotel and had to pay his cab - wrong wallet!
PanAm747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 10 Reply 19, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 8803 times:
Make your bag as distinctive as possible. "Uglify" it as much as possible.
When mom flew into SAN on Sunday, arriving at the commuter terminal, there was a seemingly never-ending parade of black rectangular suitcases, all appearing identical...
And then hers joined the parade. Wrapped in a neon-Pepto Bismol pink strap that practically glows in the dark.
While the rest of the crowd is doing the "is-that-my-bag?" dance, we were walking to the parking lot...AFTER double-checking that we had the correct bag, of course!!
This would be a good topic for the Polls & Preferences - "what do you do to identify/differentiate your luggage?". Think I will start it - please stop by and add your comments!! That might even be a good way to identify fellow a.netter's at the airport!!
Pan Am:The World's Most Experienced Airline - P(oor) S(ailor's) A(irline): San Diego's Hometown Airline-Catch Our Smile!
Floridaflyboy From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 1985 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 8733 times:
I use yellow duct tape to put a big stripe all the way around my bag. So far, it's been on there over a year, and it has yet to come off, even after sittin in the rain, and being handled in countless airports. Plus, I never mistake my bag. Coloured duct tape is great, and it doesn't look overly tacky if done right.
Chase From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 1054 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 8680 times:
Quoting NG1Fan (Reply 19): Took three days to track down the other party.
I'm glad your uncle and the other party were able to reconnect! At the very end of last (Northern hemisphere) winter someone took my coat from a hook in a restaurant, and left their coat. Between the coat, leather gloves, and the remotes/key fobs to my and my wife's cars, I'm out $500. Now that it's starting to get cold again I'm hoping the other party will get my coat out of her* closet, put her hand in the pocket, and realize "hey...I don't drive a VW and a Honda!" and magically track me down via the car dealerships. But I'm not holding my breath.
* I'm male, but the coat that was left behind was a woman's. A SHORT woman's. With pink gloves in the pocket. I'm 6'2"/183cm.
Okay, back on topic...excellent idea about taping a blue X! I may try that, even though I do have a red bag - more and more of those lately!
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8771 posts, RR: 13 Reply 23, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 8659 times:
There's a reason I buy blue/olive green suitcases (not as many of those floating around) and then putting a few different tags on my bag (I'll put my bright florescent yellow FlyerTalk bag tag on each suitcase, and I'll put on various frequent flyer tags that I have such as my US Silver tag and my DL Medallion tags). Makes it a bit easier to stand out in the crowd.
B777a340fan From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 749 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (5 years 7 months 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 8514 times:
I think someone will make a fortune by creating a luggage with flashing lights, just like on the dance floors.
25 FlyOakland2IAH: About 9 or 10 years ago, at SFO, I had one of those big hard shell Samsonite black suitcases. I was waiting forever for my bag... it appearently was o
26 Type-Rated: I have seen WN do this at HOU too, you can almost count on it. While we are on the subject, it's a good time to remind people to either put their des
27 San88: With WN your bag is considered lost after 5 days and the claims process is up to 3000 dollars reimbursement minus deprecation of the clothes/items (wi
28 FFlyer: Somebody leaving his wallet further than his arm's reach, and not having it constantly in his own posession??!
29 NoelG: Not only that - but just think, you put your home address on your luggage, and those baggage handlers see your address and know you're off on holiday
30 SlovakFlight: I usually use an old LOT Polish Airlines luggage tag Unless you travel to/from Poland, not many people use these.
31 Prebennorholm: All my checked baggage always carry a tag with my full international cell phone number. It doesn't help against thieves, but anything else but that..
32 NwAflyer07: I must load at least a dozen or more of those on each flight i work during my shifts. lol
33 AA1818: American Eagle did this at SJU or at least on Sept 11th this year they did!! never seen it done anywhere else though!! AA1818
34 AFGMEL: Ah, travel in Africa. Always an experience. Two notables for me, first at HRE. The airport is too small for one 747 let alone a mix of 747s 767s etc.
35 Jetstar: On both mine and my wife’s luggage, I have attached to both handles of each piece of checked luggage a 4” square luggage tag made of plastic, my l
36 LH526: No! I have never seen anyone standing in line in IAD, JFK, EWR, etc ... everywhere it was the usual "stay where you want and grab your bag" attitude
37 Bond007: I asked about FRA. I know how the US does it, and I know how some European airports do it (with the line to stand behind). You commented that FRA was
38 Iflyswa: In the US, I believe anyone with badged access to the AOA, and without exception, the SIDA, is required to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal histo
39 Xaapb: It happen to me in Reynosa last summer, another passenger was walking away with my baggage, and quickly saw the Continental Airlines tag for informati
40 747srule: On a side note,it is advisable NOT to put your home address on your luggage. Here's why: If someone (thief) gets it, they know where you live and can
41 LH526: Ah, sorry. No, FRA does not have a line! go to the carousel, rab your bag and off you go.
42 HangarRat: A twist on this theme: My dad recently flew to HOU late at night and landed sometime after midnight. He and four other people were on the bus to the r
43 JM017: Funny thing...Sunday I arrived on a flight to BWI. As I was waiting for my bag, I notice a passenger removing a bag that looked very much like mine of
44 Seafleet: I have always used bright yellow straps two one way and two the other so nobody could make that mistake or so I hoped. I have to say I have never had
45 VarigB707: good luck with that. all major airlines, at major aiports, are not providing baggage check at baggage claim areas no more. it's a jungle out there. i
46 PiedmontINT: I think that would be a great idea! Make it remote controlled even so when you get to the baggage claim area you hit the switch on your remote key fo
47 Bond007: That explains there being no difference then Jimbo
48 HangarRat: Look for it in Skymall next month. $$$$
49 FRAspotter: This reminds me of the movie "meet the parents"...
50 Norcal773: That's why in places like MNL you cannot leave the terminal without someone matching the tag on the luggage to your baggage tag.
51 MSYPI7185: Answer to your question. No, the airline is not responsible, your bag was delivered to baggage claim when you arrived. I have had a situation years ag
52 TCFC424: As I mentioned in a previous thread, put your name and contact information INSIDE your bag, perhaps along with routing information for two reasons, 1)
53 Mandala499: At least here on domestic flights, you have to match your bag tags on your bag and on your boarding pass/ticket before leaving baggage claim. But on s
54 Phatfarmlines: The procedure to check bag tags is routine at SJU at all baggage claim areas (non-passengers are not allowed in the baggage claim areas). This is also
55 Allrite: In 2003 our (borrowed) black Samsonite case was mistakenly taken by someone else from the baggage carousel at Sydney Airport. I wasn't too concerned t
56 SFOFlyer: Last year, some one mistakenly took my bag at SFO. I went to the UA baggage counter and all they could tell me that it arrived and was scanned to the
57 EDICHC: Try getting out of arrivals at MNL without your baggage receipt! About the only sensible policy I ever saw at NAIA!
58 BeechNut: It happened to me once. I politely told the person that he accidentally took my suitcase and he became very indignant and huffy and said "I think NOT!
59 Prebennorholm: Right, there is no need to write address, blood type, hair color, shoe size or bank account number on your baggage. Write your name and cell phone nu
60 Luv2cattlecall: Similar to that idea, I put the tags from one of those keychain locater devices ( kind of like the one here, http://www.shop.com/Sharper_Image_34...1
61 Freshlove1: They used to do that in FLL back in the 80's. Not sure if they still do as it has been many years since i was in FLL. They would compare the numbers
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