American Airlines earned an enemy
david.heinemeierhansson.com
American Airlines earned an enemy
1–10 of 55 posts
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#2Erm, I think it's more likely that the laptop showed up in X-ray scan and a baggage handler availed themselves of the contents. I had the same thing happen to me at Heathrow; I spent about 5 minutes to locate it in Lost & Found a few days later, stripped of any identifying information and of course the laptop.
American Airlines sucks, but I don't see their fault here.
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#3"First, trying to find out what actually happened since London won't call us back (no doubt ashamed of their gross negligence not recording any information on the passenger who called and their following inability to recover the now-considered stolen bag)."
Nope, just minimum wage and very busy people. The 'miracle' the OA refers to is based on 'driving out cost' at every possible point in the chain.
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#4American lost my bag on the way back from Italy a few years back, wouldn't answer the phone, called security when I went back to the baggage claim at the airport to ask them what was going on, and when they found the bag, they sent it to San Jose Costa Rica on a boat, instead of San Jose California. Of course I never saw that bag again.
I learned that baggage losses are balanced against the cost of paying for more reliable and trustworthy baggage handlers, and customer service is subject to a similar balancing act.
I also started travelling lighter, and keeping an extra day's clothing in my carry-on bag. It's much more difficult to be prepared for baggage loss with a kid, but it was worth it. Try running out of diapers because planes are delayed. When was the last time you saw diapers for sale in an airport?
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#5American lost my bag on the way back from Italy a few years back, wouldn't answer the phone, called security when I went back to the baggage claim at the airport to ask them what was going on, and when they found the bag, they sent it to San Jose Costa Rica on a boat, instead of San Jose California. Of course I never saw that bag again. I learned that baggage losses are balanced against the cost of paying for more re…
If I remember correctly, one of the many stores in Changi Airport’s transit area carries diapers.
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#6American lost my bag on the way back from Italy a few years back, wouldn't answer the phone, called security when I went back to the baggage claim at the airport to ask them what was going on, and when they found the bag, they sent it to San Jose Costa Rica on a boat, instead of San Jose California. Of course I never saw that bag again. I learned that baggage losses are balanced against the cost of paying for more re…
If I remember correctly, one of the many stores in Changi Airport’s transit area carries diapers.
Changi also has a regularly stocked 7-11, something every airport should have.
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#7American lost my bag on the way back from Italy a few years back, wouldn't answer the phone, called security when I went back to the baggage claim at the airport to ask them what was going on, and when they found the bag, they sent it to San Jose Costa Rica on a boat, instead of San Jose California. Of course I never saw that bag again. I learned that baggage losses are balanced against the cost of paying for more re…
Small claims court. Take them for the maximum allowed in your state.
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#8I mean, this guy is the biggest bitch there is, really. He acts as if this is the first time a bag has been lost/stolen. Welcome to earth, first time travelling?
Instead of wearing the same clothes for five days, i don't know, how about going to buy some new clothes at some shop; you did just land in London, yeah? You do have a little spare cash to spend, right?
And the best part is that he blames American Airlines, London. American Airlines didn't steal your bag, genius, some scum-bag did, from where you departed. CALL THEM.
and how does this even belong on HN?
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#9The baggage policy you agree to and pay for is basically, "if we lose your bag or smash it into very small pieces, we will pay you $20." Then when they lose your bag or smash it into small pieces, people want more than $20, and write angry blog posts when they don't get more than $20. I don't get it. Have these people never heard of FedEx or UPS? They will transport your bag on an aircraft and sell you insurance against loss or damage. Why choose the inferior product if you don't want inferior results? (I do know why: cost. Everyone wants a free lunch.)
Ultimately, I have to say that I'm a fan of the brave new world of air travel. I used to hate all the nickle-and-diming, but while doing all that hating, I didn't realize how cheaply one can move around the country. JFK-SFO is like $300 round-trip now. 5000 miles in a FLYING MACHINE for $300! But instead, people complain that their bags are not insured for $10,000 each, or that they have to pay $100 for more leg room. Well, yeah. If it was "free", then someone else would book their ticket earlier than you and you wouldn't even have the option of getting more leg room.
(Also, am I the only person that likes American Airlines? 400,000 miles, and I only have one experience that really made me mad.)
Re: American Airlines earned an enemy
#10American lost my bag on the way back from Italy a few years back, wouldn't answer the phone, called security when I went back to the baggage claim at the airport to ask them what was going on, and when they found the bag, they sent it to San Jose Costa Rica on a boat, instead of San Jose California. Of course I never saw that bag again. I learned that baggage losses are balanced against the cost of paying for more re…
My solution: I never check a bag. I started this practice 6 or 7 years ago, and it's great. I have a fantastic carry-on bag that fits everything I need, plus usually a small laptop bag, and I never let them out of my sight. I've gone on trips 2 weeks long with no trouble, and could easily go longer. The one possible annoyance is staying below the carry-on liquid requirements, but I haven't had a problem with that yet. (You can always purchase things like toothpaste and shampoo at your destination if the travel-size containers aren't enough.)
Fringe benefits: since I'm not checking a bag, I can get to the airport a little later. And I also get to leave the airport earlier at my destination since I don't have to wait at baggage claim.
Of course, those of you traveling with kids have it a bit harder, but given the passenger mix on most planes I've flown on, most people could likely follow this advice.