U.S. Airways is FAIL

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Archive 2009 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

evertdoorn
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p.6 #1 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

holy crap, what a horrific story....

Nov 04, 2009 at 01:12 PM

minnigphoto
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p.6 #2 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Crud. Just realized our flight for this weekend's wedding in Houston in on US Air.

Nov 04, 2009 at 03:43 PM

Matt B.
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p.6 #3 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Not only does this make me want to avoid US Airways, I think I'm going to make an effort to avoid regional jets whenever possible too.

Nov 04, 2009 at 03:47 PM

charld
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p.6 #4 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Sam i dont know how much you want to fight this but i've had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with those *sses...not for busted gear but they made my buy (2) tickets at market price ~$3000 even after i bought the insurance and the lackey at the desk gave me the same crappy service you got.

man just reading you story makes we think how mad i was....you never know what you will get with those regional jets..So I typed up a few nice emails, set my fax machine on auto resend, made a few calls and left some VM. I did this *every day* After a week or 2 they got the msg that i was *ucking pissed off and was taking it to the next level. A manager called me back and they gave me back all my money. The monkey that ran the depart that gave me all the trouble was removed that same week (i called back to tell them what i thought of them). These are the places i contacted:

US Airways
Attention: Customer Relations
Fax: 480-693-2300

Contact Investor Relations
Phone: 480-693-1227 <-- this really got things going!

Contact Corporate Communications
# Main line: 480-693-5729
# 24-hour on call pager: 480-693-5909
# Fax: 480-693-5546

I hate using US carriers (jet blue is ok), please contact them or they will think the crappy service they give is ok.

Nov 04, 2009 at 04:54 PM

Steverock01
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p.6 #5 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Check your luggage? Hell no!!!

http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/pair-stole-up-to-1000-luggage-bags-from-airport-20091104-hwby.html?autostart=1

They might have your bag CarminaF...

Nov 05, 2009 at 09:33 AM

sherijohnson
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p.6 #6 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

I want to say first that I am very sorry to hear this story. I have been totally lucky over the years traveling with camera gear and nothing ever happened, but now that I am in the business of photography I do take things way more seriously in regard to protecting my stuff. I am taking note about the airline, but also have put a higher priority on picking up the perfect protection for my gear moving it to the top of my list. I was already in contemplation of what to buy and I want to thank Asim for the link. Those bags are perfect even for local gigs too. I hope you are able to get everything back to normal ASAP Sam. We all feel your pain.

Nov 05, 2009 at 04:41 PM

kick1578
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p.6 #7 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Sam Hassas wrote:
Thank you everyone for your sympathies and well wishes. I will go through and answer the questions I've seen in the last 5 pages a little later.

NO, I didn't take pictures. Batteries for the bodies were packed in another suitcase that was checked-in earlier. iPhone images were sooooo bad. Yuo couldn't hardly make out that it was camera gear let alone wet camera gear.

Murphy's Law owened me Friday. I am 31, full grown, manly, eat nails, kick @$4, take names AND I was at the point of tears. I wish this on no one. Be safe and smart.

I AM happy to the fact that, though, I will be out at most $1,000, (hopefully) U.S. Airways is out FAR more then that. Several thousands I surmise from the awareness brought on by this thread.

U.S. Airway, I leave you with this:

Sam,

I feel your pain. Hope all will be well.

I have free use of used Pelican cases at my work. Pelican cases are practically indestructible. We use them to ship all of our equipment oversea.

Nov 05, 2009 at 08:57 PM

Sam Hassas
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p.6 #8 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

I've been in contact with them back and forth the last 3 days. Will keep you'll in the loop. *fingers crossed*

Thanks again for all the well wishes and advice. I've learned a lot here. I hope you have too.

~Sam

Nov 05, 2009 at 09:06 PM

robert61
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p.6 #9 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Unfortunately, this is typical of today's huge corporations. They know that they are impervious to just about anything. They buy and sell politicians who have thrown out just about any consumer protection that once existed. They know they are all powerful, and deep down, most don't give a hoot about their "customers" who stand in long lines to buy their services and products. Its all too common today.

Nov 05, 2009 at 09:09 PM

curryphoto
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p.6 #10 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

I ran into the same problem flying US Airways -Phil to WPB in June-. I got on the plane with my carryon bag (contained a D700,lenses and flash's) and because the overhead storage bins were full they forced me to check it for storage in the baggage area. I can tell you I was really sweating it the entire flight. Fortunately I had no damage or loss. I feel for you , Man...thomas

Nov 05, 2009 at 09:10 PM

Jed Eltom
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p.6 #11 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

My camera bag stays with me. even if I have to bear hug it the whole way there.
Train or plane. Rain or Sunshine, I even refuse to leave it in my locked alarmed car.

Nov 05, 2009 at 09:14 PM

morganb4
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p.6 #12 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

hyperion wrote:

What could you do? lol. You get off the plane and get another one.

Your loss sucks.....really does and its not something anyone should go through but YOU handed your items to someone else who obviously had no respect for what they were given.

Maybe its just me but who here really hands strangers $6000+ worth of their gear without insurance on it?

Very strange.

Again I am not being mean....I wish you the best...don't take this the wrong way....but its very very strange. I know kids 12 years old who know better than to hand an Ipod to a flight attendant.

Whilst Im not wishing to censure anyone and I know Sam is a big boy, but dude, sometimes people just want to be listened to. Considering how pissed off Sam is, I find this post kinda bad spirited.

Sorry Sam. For Melissa, I leave you with this:

2012 © morganb4

Nov 05, 2009 at 10:42 PM

Sam Hassas
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p.6 #13 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

morganb4 wrote:
hyperion wrote:

What could you do? lol. You get off the plane and get another one.

Your loss sucks.....really does and its not something anyone should go through but YOU handed your items to someone else who obviously had no respect for what they were given.

Maybe its just me but who here really hands strangers $6000+ worth of their gear without insurance on it?

Very strange.

Again I am not being mean....I wish you the best...don't take this the wrong way....but its very very strange. I know kids 12 years old who know better than to hand an Ipod to a flight attendant.

Whilst Im not wishing to censure anyone and I know Sam is a big boy, but dude, sometimes people just want to be listened to. Considering how pissed off Sam is, I find this post kinda bad spirited.

Sorry Sam. For Melissa, I leave you with this:

Oh man. I loled and now I feel bad. Too funny.

Nov 05, 2009 at 10:45 PM

morganb4
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p.6 #14 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Glad you liked :-)

Nov 05, 2009 at 10:47 PM

IntunedAwong
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p.6 #15 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

sad thing is, i'm reading this thread while sitting at a US Airways gate. and yes i was epically screwed over by them today. sigh.

Nov 07, 2009 at 03:46 AM

3catsinky
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p.6 #16 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

sorry to hear of your issues when flying. It is this reason I will continue to load my minivan to the hilt and drive, no matter how far the job. flying sucks ass.

Nov 08, 2009 at 12:17 AM

JazzyMac
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p.6 #17 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

I'm seeing periodic posts of "U.S. Airways lost a potential customer". Really? Like you guys truly consider flying US Airways and then read a post and turn up your noses?

**Note, I am not, nor ever have been an affiliate nor do I have anything tied to US Airways whatsoever.

I'm just laughing at the posts here. "After reading this, I'm never flying (U.S. Airways)." Because no other airline will EVER mess up my equipment and not cover me." Riiigghhht.

OP, insurance. FTW.

Nov 08, 2009 at 12:40 AM

JazzyMac
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p.6 #18 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

charld wrote:
Sam i dont know how much you want to fight this but i've had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with those *sses...not for busted gear but they made my buy (2) tickets at market price ~$3000 even after i bought the insurance and the lackey at the desk gave me the same crappy service you got.

man just reading you story makes we think how mad i was....you never know what you will get with those regional jets..So I typed up a few nice emails, set my fax machine on auto resend, made a few calls and left some VM. I did this *every day* After a week or 2 they got the msg that i was *ucking pissed off and was taking it to the next level. A manager called me back and they gave me back all my money. The monkey that ran the depart that gave me all the trouble was removed that same week (i called back to tell them what i thought of them). These are the places i contacted:

US Airways
Attention: Customer Relations
Fax: 480-693-2300

Contact Investor Relations
Phone: 480-693-1227 <-- this really got things going!

Contact Corporate Communications
# Main line: 480-693-5729
# 24-hour on call pager: 480-693-5909
# Fax: 480-693-5546

I hate using US carriers (jet blue is ok), please contact them or they will think the crappy service they give is ok.

Can you expand a little? How did someone make you pay $3K for tickets? And what were the locations?

Nov 08, 2009 at 12:41 AM

listchristee
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p.6 #19 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Sam --

Send your story to The Consumerist (http://www.consumerist.com) and warn the general public. I'm so sorry this happened to you!

~Sarah

Nov 10, 2009 at 04:50 AM

bthatton
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p.6 #20 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

That's rough, dude! Sorry to hear that. Have you checked out the Pelican cases? Strong (but heavy) as hell and waterproof. They have a carry on size but it won't hold all that gear.

Nov 13, 2009 at 04:32 PM

Matt B.
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p.6 #21 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

JazzyMac wrote:
I'm just laughing at the posts here. "After reading this, I'm never flying (U.S. Airways)." Because no other airline will EVER mess up my equipment and not cover me." Riiigghhht.

You know, this is really a stupid comment. I mean...hella stupid.

If a restaurant fails a report card, do you call people idiots for not eating there anymore? I mean, other restaurants they eat at instead could fail a report card in the future too, so why bother?

Your logic is flawed.

Back to this case: What I know is that US Airways has failed Sam by causing him unnecessary grief, then decide to NOT hold themselves accountable in any way for what happened.

Other airlines might treat me the same way in a similar situation, but until there is a problem they'll be given the benefit of the doubt, and US Airways won't even be given a chance.

Nov 13, 2009 at 06:55 PM

Chris Beaumont
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p.6 #22 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

JazzyMac wrote:
......Because no other airline will EVER mess up my equipment and not cover me." Riiigghhht.

OP, insurance. FTW.

Not sure of the precise legal situation in the states but over here I believe you lose any insurance coverage on camera equipment put into the hold, hence why Sam wanted, intended and tried to carry it on board and made a big fuss about not being able to stow it in sight...you're kind of making out like he chucked it on the conveyor at check-in and went "nnnnaaaaaaah it'll be fine"

Nov 14, 2009 at 12:35 AM

Bgocka
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p.6 #23 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

I wrap each item in a zip lock freezer bag and throw in a packet of dessicant if handy. Just in case they get me at the gate.

Nov 15, 2009 at 08:46 AM

genoph
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p.6 #24 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

JazzyMac wrote:
......Because no other airline will EVER mess up my equipment and not cover me." Riiigghhht.

OP, insurance. FTW.

Insurance is great, $500 deductibles are not. Nor are rises in premiums. Also, being charged for random tickets seems to be the norm on US Air for me, maybe my browser is screwed up. I try and stick with the Canadian ones when I can (especially Westjet)

Hope you're getting by with what you have left Sam. Canon trips are no fun.

Nov 15, 2009 at 10:33 AM

MTBtrials
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p.6 #25 · U.S. Airways is FAIL

Sam, have you heard back from anyone yet?

Nov 15, 2009 at 03:28 PM


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