Better yet Sam, copy the text from this post and post it on your facebook as a "note". Get everyone on FM to link to it from facebook. Google bomb them basically
I'm totally in for this. What a nightmare. And with all the travel you've been doing it'd be hard to ever trust that airline ever again.
Sahid Limon wrote:
and get at least the deductible back for your insurance.
That wouldn't be what I would be upset about.
at 8 months old my son nearly died from an incompetent ER doctor overdosing him on Vallium when he was having Febrile Seizures. (he's since recovered, but that was the most frightening night of my life)
A lifelite ride to the childrens hospital and $30k later the hospital contacted us to waive all the co-pays (probably about $8,000). They were probably afraid we were going to sue... our insurance company still paid out over $22k and our rates went thru the roof.
If Sam can get the Airport to claim it thru their insurance he will be much better off. We are only just having our rates come down from when my wife claimed her (our?) engagement ring on our renters policy... over 4 years ago... and our homeowners insurance was high enough to make us carefully look at what property we purchased...
At this point, Sam could arguably go after them for lost time @ work being as it is Saturday and he had a wedding to shoot....
Grrrr. I hate hearing stories like this.
I also had lost a stroller thru gate check when I was travelling back from BC with my daughter. I had hurt my back and had to carry her thru toronto international airport... I can't remember, but I think it might have been the last time I flied US....
I have been in this situation as well - 50 people who aren't supposed to even board yet are rushing on board, slamming their rediculous nearly full sized suitcases into the overhead bins nowhere near their own seats. Then by the time I get on no room left. the last time I flew Usair the lady at the final boarding gate gave me a little yellow tag or something for my bag and told me I -Might- have to check it because the flight was completely full. I said "not going to happen."
I then get on the flight, put my bag overhead and a stewardess comes down the isle pitching a fit and telling me I did something illegal and that that bag was checked and I am violating homeland security rules by bringing it on board. I then told her quite matter of factly that I told the lady at the boarding gate I was NOT going to check it as it would fit underneath my seat and fit the standard sized regulation. She then got hissy with me an threatened to deboard me and call the police.
Air travel is completely out of control, but there is absolutely no way I'm checking $10K+ in gear when 1/2 the plane is filled with obese tourists filling the overhead bins out of order with stuffed toys and overfilled suitcases.
I too will not fly usair anymore. They absolutely suck.
Sam, did you collect some phone-cam evidence? Maybe they do like some insurance companies and deny everything the first couple of times to weed out those that will just give up. Perhaps persistence produces profitable prevailing.
And, yes guys, he could have had a bottle of water. They only freak out about stuff you bring in from outside (which might be an explosive or something). Once you're through the security gate, there are stores and kiosks every 20 feet or so where you can buy big ol' bottles of water.
Sam Obeid wrote:
I arrived in Paris once to find Maple Syrup all over my luggage. I went to the Air Canada counter only to have the douche put a sign in front of my face that said they're not responsible for damaged luggage. He didn't even look at me one.
Airlines suck period when it comes to this shit, I put most of the blame on the unions!
thethinkcouch wrote:
One way to avoid losing checked in bags is to place a flare gun in the bag. Then claim that you have a weapon. One page of additional paperwork is required but I assure you that there will be a zero percent chance that they will loose that bag.
Dude I am really sorry about this. Two things hire an attorney this will help and second you NEED to contact the FAA immediatley. That jet needs to be grounded. There is a potentially bigger issue with the aircraft. I told some pilot friends of mine about your issue and that was their suggestion. They felt that you have a good case against them in court but you need to seek council.
Scott Mosher wrote:
Oh, I just posted this link to the US Airways FB page
Brilliant idea! Also - everyone here on FM should perhaps get on their site and send a complaint to their "contact us" customer service link. If they get 50 or so e-mails, they might pay attention. Some of us fly a lot (me included), even if it's not for photography but required for our other careers.
I was on US Airways for conference in Kentucky a few weeks ago... And I can definitely vouch for the carry on being placed in the baggage area. I was wondering what would have happened had I brought my gear. Now I know. Sorry for the hassle you went through Sam. I wonder what heinous acts I would have committed were I you.
Sam's incident has me interested in whether there's a 'story' there. I write the Green column for a local magazine, which includes Green concerns in any part of our lives, including travel.
The fumes & 'mist' issues Sam mentioned now have me curious about the environmental concerns that might be there. Rather than contacting them as a consumer, I left a message for their media relations department. Since magazines are on monthly deadlines, this wouldn't need a rush response from them over the weekend. I told them they can call me Monday. In my voice message, I told them what the departure city and arrival state were and I asked specifically what sort of substance could cause the fumes & mist, and what they're doing to protect passengers. The idea of people with sensitive lung issues being trapped with anything 'fume-like' in an airplane cabin terrifies me. I wonder if whatever caused the fumes or mist could be flamable?
FYI - I also mentioned on my voice message that Sam's post has been put on their FB site. This will help their media guys look into it better - although I can direct them to this thread if they call back.
I will let you all know if I hear from them, and what they say. Air quality on airplanes is a big enough issue without having to worry about leaking solvents.
hate to hear this, don't settle for using your insurance. Use a lawyer if you have to, all it usually takes is one call from your lawyer to someone who is not an hourly customer service rep and you get your stuff fixed fast.
I am with you, I HATE US Air, and I will certainly think twice before flying them with my gear.
Not to turn this in to a bag debate, but one of the reasons I love my pelecan cases is because they are completely waterproof, and the 1510 fits in the overhead bin in every plane I have been in except the CRJ-200 (but it fits perfectly in the CRJ-300).
Holy cow! Check out their FB group page... it's full of a lot of people I wouldn't really consider a fan.... And it actually looks like that administrator of that page is a high school student... doesn't look like it would make it's way to US Airways...
Sam! Sorry to hear about your experience. I have had several horrible experiences with different airlines, but nothing as bad as yours! I hope you can get something out of this. But the airlines business mission statement is: "Deny everything and avoid everything! If you can add insult to injury."
Sounds like they lived up to that one.. best of luck!
That really sucks. Most airlines suck. What's worse is that the gear that appears fine may still fail shortly because of corrosion. I always use a pelican case for my camera gear when I travel. The 1510 is the maximum carry on size and can be safely stored underwater without a problem.
No but seriously that sucks. I made my wife read it out loud to me as I was too lazy to do it myself... we were in shock while reading it. We also did laugh at the creative narrative. Great storytelling Sam.
Bottom line, I think all airlines are the same in that respect. They all flip you the bird when your luggage goes missing or when you are left with damaged goods.
Sadly, we cannot boycott them either; unless you are rich enough to afford your own jet.
Sam, sorry about your gear, I could imagine the frustration.
Last year, I used Continental to return home from an Indian wedding in New Jersey, Thursday through Sunday deal. Got back to the room at 3:00am Sunday night/Monday morning, downloaded cards, packed for my 6:45am flight in a few hours time. My main gear was in a backback, but I put PWs, speedlights, extra cards etc in a smaller bag as I knew I would be tired. After so few hours sleep, I felt the small bag could survive in my luggage, I was too tired to hold that and the backpack.
Got home, no luggage. Later that night, airline called, they found a bag, could I describe the contents as all tags had been torn off - yes, contents matched, it was mine and they would put it in 'lock up' and then on the first flight out next day. No bag next day or the next, the bag was missing from 'lock up'. On Thursday, the bag arrives home, it is very light with good reason, all electronics and some clothing are gone. The airline said they are not responsible for electronics but could cover some clothing. I mailed the police report and receipts etc for clothing, although the service rep said it would not make sense to claim, as Continental rarely pays out for losses. Continental claimed that they did not receive anything in the mail and besides, it is too late for a claim now, it would just be denied. At the time, I did not ask for a signature on the package to Continental, lesson learnt. I am never flying Continental again either.
