Comments on: Sky Harbor’s luggage scandal: Who’s to blame for a thousand stolen bags?

By: Carver

Carver — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:05:21 +0000

Ames

You proved my point. Because your bag was “brilliantly yellow – brighter than a school bus yellow” you were able to identify when the bag was taken off the carousel and retrieve it.

I am skeptical that the man was attempting to steal it. Common sense would have dictated that he go for a less obvious bag, say any one of the plethora of black roller bags.. I suspect that he was not happy because that meant that his bag was lost.

By: Name Tags

Name Tags — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:14:19 +0000

This is pretty disturbing to read, especially for those who travel a lot. I think this just proves the necessity of having a special microchip that is scanned when a bag is checked.

By: Ames

Ames — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:02:33 +0000

Carver, Theft of the whole bag may be rare but my brillantly yellow – brighter than a school bus yellow – duffle bag was grabbed off a carousel while I was watching. I spoke to the guy, nicely because I thought he made a mistake, asking to check the tag. It was mine, he was not very happy and left without any bag. So the most obvious bag will not always solve the problem and as a 5′-3″ tall, white haired woman, I am not always eager to confront a much larger and younger guy.

By: Carver

Carver — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:33:38 +0000

I’ll play the contrarian. This discussion makes no sense to me whatsoever. According to the article, luggage theft is extremely rare. But to the extent that there is luggage theft, there are so many better ways to combat it.

The obvious way is to make your bag easily identifiable. That way as soon as it comes down (or up) the chute, you see it. Then you don’t have to worry about someone taking it because its never out of your site. I try to avoid purchasing black bags whenever possible.

That obviates the need for tracking systems, security guards and other expensive systems which will only drive up the cost of my $39 ticket

Is it possible for luggage to still be stolen from baggage claim. Yes. But its so unlikely, that it makes no sense to engage in these exotic remedies for a non-existent problem.

By: Ames

Ames — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:16:16 +0000

For Jerry Bonanno,

A GPS device would be even better, but this Luggage Locator gizmo already exists: http://www.etatravelgear.com/index.php?p=152&i=6798. I wonder if anyone has tried it – before I spend money for it or give someone a heart attack if it really does work!

By: Jerry Bonanno

Jerry Bonanno — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:15:35 +0000

For Ames,

Maybe some enterprising company should develop a GPS locator beacon that you could include in your luggage, perhaps cleverly disguised as a can of shaving cream or something like that. Then when your bag turns up missing at the baggage claim you could turn it on by remote control to get the coordinates of where it is. Guess it would be kind of pricey but maybe worth it for those travelers carrying valuables in their suitcase. Of course you would have to get it through security when you first check you bag.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:51:45 +0000

Yes, people other than those traveling do need to be allowed into baggage claim and check in areas. If you are dropping off someone who has never flown before or needs help collecting their bags, it just isn’t an option to have them fend for themselves.

I think the idea of having a person posted at each exit from the baggage claim area is an excellent one. I certainly wouldn’t mind waiting an extra five minutes to have my baggage claim ticket compared to my luggage when leaving. If we are all paying (in one way or another) to check our baggage, airlines should make every effort to make sure that we are rightfully reunited with it in one piece.

By: barbie45

barbie45 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:44:59 +0000

Several years ago my husband and I traveled Delta to Panama with a small group of teachers. We were without our luggage for two days; despite calls from our group leader we received no no funds for basic essentials such as a toothbrush etc; It was quite hot and we swlterd in our winter clothes as the flight was from Boston. Luckily in my overnight case I had our medication ; on our first day we had to stop and at our own expensive purchase some cool clothing as it was hot hot hot; We had a wonderful time in Panama ; Our teacher guide was raised in Panama and gave anexcellent tour; she also took us to a fantastic little known shopping area duty free ; seeing the canal was a thrill,made up for our delayed baggage.

By: Aaron Gold

Aaron Gold — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:35:04 +0000

I remember when the airlines had personnel to check for the stub from your luggage tag. Now that we’re having to pay extra for baggage, why can’t we have that service back? Unless it’s because luggage fees are just a BS way to charge the same for a plane flight while getting better placement on Expedia and Travelocity when customers search by price.

I believe that when companies don’t behave in the best interest of consumers, it’s time for the government to step in. That’s what’s happening now. Time to change the rules, Uncle Sam.

In the mean time, we can vote with our wallets. Fly airlines that don’t charge baggage fees, and when you do, drop a note to your favorite airline’s customer service department saying “I flew Air NoFee rather than your airline because they don’t charge baggage fees. That’s $260 in lost revenue.” If the numbers start to add up, maybe they’ll see the writing on the wall.

And if they’re going to charge a baggage fee, for goodness sake, at least check the damn bags before we leave the airport!

By: Ames

Ames — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:25:02 +0000

Has anyone tried using “Luggage Locator Pro”? It is a radio frequency device in two parts one on the bag and one with the passenger. Supposedly it works up to 60 feet away. The device on the bag activates when contacted by the passenger. It might help if one was close by – at the very least it would scare a person with the wrong bag half to death, if the bag tag started flashing and beeping! Since there is no security in the baggage areas, at least I would not have to worry about any TSA or legal response to the beeping bag!

I wish the airports would go back to the system of only having one or two ways out of the carousel area and stationing a person to match the baggage tag and the receipt. It is a bother, but so much less bother than losing a bag. Maybe this incident can get tagged onto the Pasengers Rights discussions.