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What’s in the Bag?

May 17, 2009

So, yesterday I went to a local luggage store to get repaired my relatively new but vigoursly used piece of luggage that was brutally bruised by American Airlines on my way home from Barcelona (and the Amazing Journeys Mediterranean Cruise that just concluded). Funny how the airlines have a Claims Office near baggage claim in every airport but for some reason to take no responsibility for virtually all kinds of damage that’s inflicted due directly to their handlers’ mis-care. Broken wheel? Not covered! Tear in the material? Not covered! Zipper torn wide open exposing all your personal belongings? Too bad–not covered!! Someone please explain..what responsibility doesthe airline have when it comes to the damage their mishandling causes?

I do a lot of traveling and pretty much go through about one-to-two bags a year. Sometimes even more. All due to the wear and tear that these unknown behind-the-scenes handlers whom I think do nothing more than devise plans of attack on our precious (and expensive) travel equipment. Throw it, squish it, toss it, cut it, rip it, dump it….maybe even just leave it behind in some city along the way. They’ll get it later–maybe two days into their trip.

Man, take that kind of customer care in any other realm and you’d have businesses on the brink of lawsuits. Imagine the auto mechanic treating your car that way. Or, the tailor treating your suits with such disregard. What if the hair stylist butchered your hair the way your luggage gets abused…or if the waiter served your food the way the baggage handlers handled your belongings. Can you imagine??

I’ve had my suitcase circle the belt totally exposed due to a zipper not only broken but MISSING! Another time, a broken handle. Last week, a broken wheel, unfixable. Never…and I mean never have I suffered damage to my suitcase when the airline expressed a ‘whoops’ or an apology and offered to care for my loss. Good thing I take out *travel insurance (Travelex is one of, if not THE best in offering coverage, service and response), as the cringe factor I feel every time I see my suitcase arrive on the belt in a new airport–or even my home airport for that matter–is curbed knowing that even though my zipper may be missing and my underwear is being shown to all, I can rely on a quick reimbursement and a new piece of baggage in my hands for the next trip.

Just so the next airline can annihalate that one too.

*(Stay tuned for the next blog about the values of purchasing travel insurance for your next vacation)

What’s in the Bag?

May 17, 2009

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