This month I’m writing to give the readers some ideas and cautions, particularly identifying and tracking your luggage.I’ve mentioned Air Tags in a previous article, they are relatively inexpensive and I believe, anymore, necessary.I am going to give you a couple of examples of WHY I believe they are imperative, to tell the truth.
I have received inquires from clients about their rights with the airlines regarding lost luggage.What is their recourse for reimbursements? Is there a difference between domestic (U.S.) and international locations and airlines. I’d like to discuss these questions by using some examples.They paint great pictures I think.
First, consider that the more often your plane stops the higher the chance of lost luggage. The statistics regarding airlines and lost luggage is staggering.What happens when they can’t match the luggage (with the contents) to anyone?
I follow a guy’s website that is called THE POINTS GUY on the internet. Look him up. I would highly recommend that you all do the same.Good information, valuable use of air points and of course info I have been fortunate to pull for some of my many articles and presentations.Here is what he reported back in 2022 about lost luggage:
More than 684,000 bags were mishandled in the first quarter of 2022, according to data from the Air Travel Consumer Reports published by the Department of Transportation. That’s roughly seven bags out of every 1,000 handled that are earmarked as lost baggage.
I say YIKES!, that is actually for U.S. DOT.Wonder how much of that factors in International stuff?
What happens then to unclaimed luggage? Well, when you consider in 2022 around 2 million bags were mishandled worldwide, it can seriously hamper your plans whether simply delayed or losing the contents forever, where do all of the contents, luggage, electronics etc. go?Let me give you an example and caution.You know those baggage collectors you see street-side when you go to check-in for your flight?Well, I can’t be sure, but I think one guy who was upset with me because I didn’t have what he thought was enough of a cash tip for taking my luggage (maybe it was an accident, BUT he didn’t appear to be too happy – my bad), well, it was a direct non-stop flight from LAX to Sacramento (SMF) and my luggage ended up in Houston! I was lucky cuz they found it and delivered it to my home that night WHEW! But, back to, what IF they never found it?
I found it interesting that the SITA company actually collects unclaimed luggage after being held of 90 days.Electronics are ‘cleaned/cleared’ of personal information to allow for the computer or whatever to be sold. Clothing that is useable is sent to a large cleaners in Alabama for cleaning and everything is then sent, along with odds and ends, to an Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama to be sold.This is a 50,000 sq. foot store location in Scottsboro, Alabama to eventually be sold. That location receives over 7000 new items DAILY.They clean off stuff and resell at 50-80 % of the present retail cost of the same items value.Many high-end things are sold too.As I understand it, over a million people visit the facility every year and is a very popular location.If you frequent garage sales and charity stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, the Rock etc. locally, you could find a treasure at this place I figure.I personally have not visited it, but anyone who has who is reading this, let me know about the experience O.K.? The bad thing would be to find something that you recognize there FAT CHANCE, but the good thing is what is done with a good collection of unclaimed items NOT RESALEABLE.Fact is, only about 30% of unclaimed items make it to the store in Alabama.The rest is disbursed to several charitable entities. Nice to know that some of your stuff could end up like Reclaimed For Good, an organization that donates suitcases to foster children. The Lion’s Club receives eye glasses, wheelchairs and mobility devices go to Wheels for the World, clothing that isn’t as sellable go tohomeless shelter. BTW, IATA (International Air Transportation Association) has a code for all airlines to follow that the barcode I mentioned earlier is added to each piece of checked luggage.That barcode contains the final destination, the flight number and your first and last name. This helps hopefully with the tracking of your baggage. With luck you’ll get the bag back.
So now you know what happens to stuff lost. But, let me tell you some cautions to maybe help you avoid some of the reasons for the unclaimed baggage.I used to travel a lot more, but when I do, I see luggage with ribbons, bows, things attached to identify your bags when on the conveyors in the luggage turn-style…you may be guilty of that.I used to be until I understood that doing that could enhance the chances of having your luggage lost.Why? You ask.Well, according to airport luggage personnel, they have to scan a barcode that is attached to all checked luggage.There is a rush to get as many packages scanned to help facilitate quick transfer for connecting flights.(This is particularly important if you try to schedule too close of a connection), hint: try to stick with each airports minimum connecting time advices.I know that there is a want to have the shortest connection, but it doesn’t always work out at the connection.According to the luggage handler, I learned that IF something gets in the way of the scan, during this rush to get luggage moving quickly, those bags with obstruction near the scan are actually set aside and processed after the rush.The result could be your luggage not making it on the connecting flight.The handler does the obstructed luggage LAST and after the rush.To avoid this, it is recommended that instead of a bow or tie or whatever, that you use a sticker or tape or something else to identify your luggage when at the turn-style.Most people have black luggage so you want to differentiate yours from theirs, I get it. But, best to get colored luggage and or a colored luggage tag.I have a blue tag, one that is big print says “Hands off, this is MY LUGGAGE” so, a blue luggage tag on a purple bag. Cute huh?
Well, I have to tell you, that still didn’t help me on one trip.I actually spotted my luggage as it came up the conveyer and slid down from the slide and was working itself around (I was on the other side of the belt).I was sooo glad to see it and anxious to grab it, so I was patiently waiting for it to travel around the oval.But it never came! What?You’d think that ANYONE would recognize it wasn’t their luggage since I had it so well marked, but I was wrong.I waited and waited, not thinking anyone would grab it and take it.Like I said, I was wrong. Learn from my mistake.Without my luggage we went to the baggage claim office and filled out a claim form and headed home. We lived about an hour away.GRRR.As soon as we got home we received a phone call that the luggage was found IN THE PARKING LOT!!!!!!!!! Someone at the Sacramento airport recognized after they got to their car that they had a wrong bag.Instead of returning it, they just left it there in a parking space!!!!!Crap happens I gotta tell ya.Though it was a very good idea to have the colored tag, I would recommend standing as close to the slide area as possible and not wait for luggage to wrap around the entire belt. Airlines will call you and give you a choice, usually, to go back to the airport to retrieve the bag, OR will deliver your luggage. Yes, some of them will charge a minimum fee to cover the gas etc for the independent contractor that they hire to make a delivery.You could expect it could take from 1 day to a couple of months for the baggage to be located.Better late than never I guess.
What can you expect if it is never found?First thing you do is: You are expected to inventory what is in the luggage if you can remember. FYI, I recently learned also that If your luggage is delayed for more than 20 min at your destination, both Alaska and Delta will offer something to you…Alaska it is miles or a travel credit, Delta is miles.At least ask your airline, they do barter I hear. What if your luggage is delayed and you can’t get it until you arrive at a port, maybe a day later or whatever, the airlines all have their own rules for what they will reimburse, but they are mandated to refund/compensate you. Under the Montreal convention an airline loses, damages or delays your checked luggage you are entitled to compensation up to an amount about $1,400. Unfortunately the airlines each have their own rules to meet that requirement.They require receipts for purchased clothes, toiletries and necessities. The issue is usually what you and the airlines agree is actually a necessity.Designer clothes, high ticket make-up etc. even with receipts could be questioned. You do need to file a claim and provide receipts. I personally would in the least request also a reimbursement for the luggage fees the airline charged for sure. Also, before you plan on going on that shopping spree it is very important that you talk to personnel of the airlines to see what they cover and not.Also, have something in writing from them.
One more thought to keep in mind: The most popular items lost, left behind phones, tablets, chargers ec. in the pockets in the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins, cameras, jackets to name a few.Be sure to scour the area before you leave the aircraft and pass the security desk which is not that far away from the plane.The security personnel with NEVER let you return to the plane to retrieve anything. Once you have deboarded the plane and before the security, the personnel still on the plane MAY go back and look for you, but I can tell you FAT CHANCE.
Back to air tags, You can find them on the internet easily, and I am sure locally some stores. I am going to get some myself as I will practice what I preach.I have an Android smart phone. They are less expensive when purchased in a group. I will be purchasing several. I am not here to sponsor or endorse any one of them.Just want to encourage you to think seriously about purchasing one or more for a coming trip.Actually, they are used in so many ways besides for luggage. In my research I recognized that it is not just for luggage.Actually, thinking out of the box, we can use them in purses, in automobiles (car theft is now one of the highest criminal events in metropolitan areas presently).So, purchasing a pack of them would/could be wise. Pricing, for your information…they run around $16 each as a onesie and around $70 for 4, or there abouts.
Helpful Info: Here is the address of the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Alabama
