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American Airlines - Lost Luggage

American Airlines • Stranded • Accommodating illness • Bereavement policy • Luggage lost/damaged • Baby stroller mangled • Slovenly service • Price gouging • Smokers snuffed • Group bookings • Code sharing • The Wedding that Wasn't --- News • American Begins Wi-Fi Service on Some Flights • American Slashes Routes, Charges for One Checked Bag

Mel of KS (12/19/03):
Checked a bag. They lost it. Will not offer any compensation.Value was close to $2400. Due to documents that were inside, was then forced to hire a CPA to take care of matters for the amount of $180. Have spent appx. 10 hours trying to resolve this.

Tim of Chicago (9/16/03):
I booked a business trip through our company travel office from Chicago to Cincy on Sunday and back on Monday. My luggage appeared at the baggage claim in Cincy on Sunday soaking wet. I had to use a blow-dryer at my hotel to prepare my clothes for the afternoon presentation. Later I found that a watch had been stolen from the bag.

Obviously, an employee had searched my suit bag for valuables while the luggage was on the tarmac in the rain waiting to be loaded. American Airlines has a thief that is taking advantage of the new "no lock" policy at the airport. I'm very disappointed with my experience. I had to go through metal detectors and take off my belt and shoes while an employee went through my luggage and stole a treasured gift. I will avoid using American again for my business and personal travel plans.

Oneta of Bridgetown, Barbados (8/8/03):
I travelled to New York on American Airlines during the period August 2001 on 30 days vacation, returning early september just prior the 9/11 castrophe. On my return I received information that my luggage was not found. I kept in contact with the airlines for about two weeks later without success. I was faced with much embarrassment since I had bought items for othe persons which I had packed away safe in my luggage. This brought me a lot of hurt and stress.

I completed all the necessary forms, along with copies of the relevant tickets. Two years later I have received no acknowledgement. As a result I had to seek a loan to repay persons for the items lost, along with my own personal loss of item which I had purchased for my children and family.

Dana of Beverly MA (7/30/03):
I packed my husband's snorkeling mask in bubble wrap and put it into my luggage which is a hard Samsonite suitcase mostly filled with clothes. Upon our return from travel, the thick glass of the mask was shattered. I didn't think there would be any problem since the airline's "Notice of Baggage Liability Limitations" did not list it as an excluded item.

When I spoke with Ms. Finn, Manager, and her assistant Jackie, a Supervisor, I was told that I was given an old ticket jacket and that if I went to their website that my snorkel mask would be included in the list of excluded items and hence they had no liability. My travel agent at work also called someone at American Airlines who told her it was a "fragile item". How vague and broad could that term be?

The only thing that is covered is clothing, because everything that you bring on a plane could be considered "fragile". I am so disappointed at their obvious negligence and refusal to take ownership for their mishandling of my luggage. I will never use them in the future, and I will encourage all of my friends who enjoy snorkeling vacations as much as I do, to take a different airline. Shame on you AA!

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