Air travel is usually the fastest way to reach your destination today. However, it’s always smart to read up on tips and recommendations before embarking on your journey. Once you reach your destination, it’s time to head down to baggage claim if you checked your luggage, and pick up your baggage. Now, we all get in a rush from time to time, but it is important to take a pause here and be sure you are picking up your own bag. Do not simply grab a piece of luggage that looks like it could be yours, thousands of travelers have purchased the same set of luggage you did. Depending on your luggage and personality, you can certainly make changes to your luggage that make it stand out. Monogramming your initials, adding tags with color identifiable by only you, or any other type of addition that helps you personalize your luggage is a good idea.
Travelers often choose nondescript black luggage, which is OK - but be sure your eye is keen enough to know which is yours and always, always check the numbers on your luggage. Traveling is stressful enough without arriving to your destination with someone else's possessions, which creates a big headache for everyone. Be sure to check your bag for broken locks, or if it’s been opened. The TSA usually leave you a note if they’ve opened your bag for inspection. If you find any issues, be sure you report this to the airline before leaving the airport if possible. If your bag goes missing, be sure to report it to the airline and keep track of who you spoke with and any associated tracer numbers. While the system that we operate within is a fantastically well-organized one, things can go wrong. We as a country, have nearly 2 million passengers in the air each day, that’s a lot of baggage.
If are one of the .6% of people with a delayed or lost piece of luggage…
File a claim before your leave the airport. Baggage is tracked more closely now than in the past and you may find that its arriving on the next flight.
And if its lost…
- Be patient – the airline agent wants to reunite you and your baggage as soon as possible. The agents are graded on baggage issues.
- “Airlines don't automatically pay the full amount of every claim they receive. Like insurance companies, airlines consider the depreciated value of your possessions, not their original price or the replacement costs.
- If you're tempted to exaggerate your claim, don't. Airlines may completely deny claims they can show are inflated or fraudulent.
- Generally, it takes an airline anywhere from four weeks to three months to pay passengers for their lost luggage.
- When airlines tender a settlement, they may offer you the option of free tickets on future flights in a higher amount than the cash payment. Ask about all restrictions on these tickets, such as "blackout" periods.” via USDOT .
Tips to avoid the Lost Luggage Quagmire...
- Baggage tags fall off and the airlines don’t want your stuff, so also place your name and phone number on a slip inside the baggage.
- Pack light and carry on if possible. Never check important things like keys, valuables or medicine.
- Arrive early as last-minute checked bags are more likely to miss the flight as they have to be screened by the TSA before they’re loaded on the airplane.
- Flying with OAJ is a great experience, smaller and more efficient. We hope you come fly with us, soon!