From: cswicego@gmuvax2.gmu.edu (Cynthia Swicegood)
Subject: Re: luggage lost by airlines on domestic flights
Organization: George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 06:43:00 GMT

In article <1992Aug28.161100.6705@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> wxh17@po.CWRU.Edu (Wayne Hicks) writes:


The story is actually my boyfriend's, but it was all my fault. :-)
It started by John being sent to Ft. Worth, Texas for a seminar.  He
packed three suitcases (which were borrowed from his brother, brand new,
designer Jordashe, and a Christmas present from his mother to his
brother), so I told him that he didn't pack the suitcases right and I
preceeded to repack his things.  I managed to fit all his clothes into
the largest suitcase and his shoes and belts and shaving kit into a
small matching carry-on.  When he got to the airport, Dulles Airport,
here in Virginia, he checked both bags.  When the plane landed, John was
in Texas, but the large suitcase with ALL of his clothing wasn't.  John
had to be in Ft. Worth for two weeks with no clothes.  He has a hard
time buying clothes because he is 6'6" tall and most stores don't carry
his size and plus he didn't have alot of money and his clothes are more
expensive because they're tall sizes.  Anyway, he borrowed some money
from his mother who sent him a postal money order which he had a hard
time cashing, but that is another story.  That trip was the biggest
disaster and most of the clothes he owned were in that suitcase.
 

>   Did you seek financial reimbursement for your loss?

You bet,  he flew on Delta, on a non stop flight!  We think that the
suitcase wasn't even put on the plane.  Delta took two or three days
trying to locate the bag and then sent him claim forms to fill out and
on the forms they ask you to list what was lost and how much it cost.

>   If a cash settlement was made, how long did you have to wait
>   before monies were forthcoming?

This was back in February of 1987 and I think it took about 6 weeks or
so to get the money back. 

>   Did you feel that the airlines customer service personnel
>   made an honest effort to assist you, or did you feel that
>   they just attempted to politely string you along?

I think John got strung along at first, but then he got ahold of a
person that actually delt with claims and she was pretty helpful.  She
called around to the different airports and kept him informed of the
progress (even though there wasn't any progress).

>   Were you forced to seek the assistance of legal or consumer
>   protection agencies in order to expediate matters?

No legal help was needed, but they took their time.  I think they have a
waiting period before a claim can be filed in case the luggage shows up,
but I don't recall how long that was.

>   Did you feel that the amount of the settlement was fair and
>   adequate?

They gave John the total that he listed when he itemized his lose.  He
also wrote a letter explaining that his clothes cost more than regular
sizes since he buys talls.

>   What airline were you using when your luggage was lost?

Delta

>   Through what cities were you traveling?

Non stop flight from Dulles Airport, Virginia to Ft. Worth/Dalles
Airport, Texas.


>                            signed
>
>                     ANXIOUS and NAKED
>
>
John was naked for a while too, far away from home and dreading telling
his brother that his suitcase was lost. :-)  He doesn't let me pack
anymore unless it's a car trip.

Cindy Swicegood

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