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My last time to travel by airplane was the first time that I have flown since most airlines have started charging for checked baggage. I have always preferred checking my baggage as I usually have to transfer flights at least once so I only take minimal carry-on so that I do not have to lug it around the airport.
I will start this also by saying I have never had my luggage lost so far and usually fly at least 1-2 times per year. I guess my record had to end sometime...
So I told my wife before I left that the trip just for my luggage to fly would be $50 more so hopefully since now you have to pay for your bags you shouldn't have to worry about them being lost...
Well on the trip out my bags were misplaced but were eventually found! Just didn't come out with everyone else's on my flight...took an extra 20 minutes or so.
Then on my flight home I arrived to the airport 2 hours prior to my departure and decided to check the bags with the Carrier provided sky cap at the door to the airport so as not to have go through the long line at the check in area. Even tipped the guy the requisite $5 for the bag. Then after a 7 hour delay in the Dallas/Ft Worth airport I finally arrived home at midnight--1am...and everyone is tired and the airport is pretty much deserted of airline personnel. Finally our flights bags start coming down the belt...Everyone is grabbing their stuff and leaving. I am still waiting...NOTHING!!!! So I spend the next 45 minutes trying to find someone with my airline. Finally track the a guy down...his first question did you check it at the counter or with the sky cap. Well since you checked it with the sky cap it most likely didn't make it on your flight. I said what is the point of having the sky caps if they can't get the luggage to the flight in time...he said it was for convenience. He said that they would ship the bag to me when it arrived for a fee or I could pick it up at the airport. I laughed. And decided to take multiple deep breadths before responding so as not to say things that would make both of us get angry. It was hard as I was very tired. After cooling off a bit I said that this was ridiculous as I have already paid $50 for the bag to fly and should at least be assured that it would get on the same plane as me and arrive on time. I would need to speak with a supervisor before I would pay any additional fees. He decided ( I guess) that rather than call his supervisor at 1:30 in the morning that the airline would ship the bag to me for free...
Finally received my bag 2 days later....It was a tad worse for wear...I guess the luggage fee doesn't really get your bag any better treatment than what it use to get for free!!!!
;-)
Yeah get to fly again in 20 days...
J...
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