topic Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ? in Community Chat

People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Shorty2U — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:03:25 GMT

Well now the visitors of my granddaughter, daughters family landed in Chicago and their luggage is GONE (and they are about to board a flight soon to Philadelphia). Christmas presents, clothing everything gone but their carry ons!

3 people were searching to no avail and they are flying to the east coast shortly with nothing but the clothes on their backs and carry ons. All their Christmas gifts and clothing are gone! (I feel so bad)

This whole thing is a nightmare!.Becuase they already missed their direct flight earlier b.c they got LOST in the airport (times were too close to flights).

Follow me here they took their first flight to London. When they get to London do they (the people flying) get their luggage off the turn thing and walk to the next flight to check in with their luggage? OR does the airport transfer luggage from your first flight to the next for you if you are going on a connecting flight?

The reason I ask is they (at Chicago airport) think in London the airlines may have put their luggage on the flight direct to Philadelphia that they missed?

BUT, I dont see how that could have happened when they missed the first flight and took another later?. The luggage should be in Chicago which is where they transferred to when they missed their first flight (they grabbed a London to Chicago to Philadelphia flight) Coming in soon over night.

I guess I will find out when they get to the east coast over night how it works but thought Id ask since I stay up late.

At any rate, we all feel so bad. First trip to America and they missed their one flight, have been now up 2 days straight and all their stuff is gone ecept for their carry ons!

Also if you ever lost luggage did they find it and send it then?

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Nancy Drew — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:08:35 GMT

This same thing happened and they delivered it to our door on Easter. We were pleasantly surprised at the work effort they took. Have hope as sometimes people do go above and beyond. Realistically though hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

JustJazzmom — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:12:17 GMT

I have to say that luggage does get found-- son flew in from Chicago when he was a student there to NY. The flight somehow sent the luggage on the next flight to NY because of a delay with mechanical problems on original flight.

He arrived at La Guardia airport and no luggage of course since it was coming on the next in bound flight. He filed a claim and when it arrived into NY, the airline delivered the luggage to us on Thanksgiving. We were at a dinner in another town when it arrived, and when we came home it was there on our front porch.

All I can say is I hope that the visitors get to baggage claim and fill out a report with the airline.

The airline does have the tracking # on the luggage and the visitors should have their claim tickets with them so when it arrives, there is no question about the luggage. If I were them, I would insist the airline deliver the luggage to their final destination (wherever they are visiting).

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Shorty2U — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:14:09 GMT

Thank you for all the info and I am glad to know this! That relieves my mind and I will tell them! And I hope and pray they get their stuff back too! I guess they would send it back to Scotland where they live, but they will be here over a week with nothing. I am sure, well I know my daughter will get them things to wear. We all have gifts for them so we will either ship them or get them a suitcase. (I think we should ship when they go home, after all of this!)

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

MyGirlsMom — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:12:48 GMT

Three scenarios for our family:

1.) I once left a piece of luggage on an international flight - it was turned over to U.S. Customs. I had to go to the Newark, NJ Customs office at the airport, claim it, and then open it in front of them while they searched it.

2.) We've had our luggage put on earlier flights and it was was waiting for us at our final destination.

3.) We've had our luggage arrive on later flights and had it returned to us either at home or at the hotel.

I hope all turns out well for your friends/family.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

akaburtonfan — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:22:19 GMT

I'll try to answer some of your questions. If for example they were flying on American Airlines from London to Philadelphia via Chicago, then the airline will transfer their luggage from one plane to the next. Once they check their bags at the ticket counter the airline deals with it.

If their luggage was already loaded on the direct flight from London to Philedelphia that they were originally scheduled to be on, the luggage would have gotten there and be waiting for them to get there.

I've never had to deal with lost luggage because I either only take as much as I can fit into a carry on or I gate check my bag. Hopefully all works out well for the visitors!

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

brii — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:23:31 GMT

Their luggage will probably be waiting for them at their final destination or show up one day later.

It wouldn't go back to wherever they were flying from.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Sister Golden Hair — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:29:04 GMT

When our son and daughter-in-law with our two grandchildren flew back from Sweden, they got stuck in Chicago (for 24 hours and couldn't leave the secure area).

They were suppose to fly into Springfield, Missouri but flights couldn't get out because to the terrible storms.

It was going to be 2 days before the flight came, so my husband went to pick them up in Kansas City.

That was on Thursday. On Friday, the airline brought their luggage to their home, which was 60 miles from the airport.

So I hope that their luggage will be waiting for them or delivered later.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Stray — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 04:44:54 GMT

The luggage probably went to their final destination and should be there or as someone said, returned to them where they are staying here which is on record on immigration form. The only snag could be security checks....luggage flying without owners might be removed but since it was checked in at the origin, it should be ok....hopefully the luggage will catch up with them and all will be ok....have a wonderful holiday!

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Fona — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 06:41:23 GMT

Shorty2U: I often make the trip from the US to the UK which involves arriving in Heathrow and then another plane to the North of England. I always check my baggage straight through to my final destination. On a return flight last year, when I arrived back in the US my suitcase had somehow "missed" the plane. I filled out a form at the airport concierge desk and my suitcase was delivered to my home the following day. You can also go to the airline website and find a "lost luggage" section. Enter the number found on the baggage claim checks which are usually taped to the back of your passport, and you can find out some information about your luggage that way, too. I hope everything works out well.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

TootyJane — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 06:55:00 GMT

It's all going to depend on when and how they checked in at the first destination. You would be asked (1) if you have connecting flights with same airline, you will be asked if you'd like to check your luggage all the way through to you final destination; or (2) if you change flights at your next stop, and you are changing planes, you will need to collect your luggage and then proceed to Customs and then off to check in at next Airline.

If they missed the flight to Philadelphia, then their luggage is most likely there and you should contact that airline. Let's say that it is possible that their luggage didn't make it on the plane to Philadelphia, especially if they flew out of Heathrow. We had an almost similar situation. We flew to Heathrow, then on to Lisbon. However, our luggage didn't. We were without for 5 days. On the 6th we got our luggage!!

It turns out (we don't know why) but our luggage was sitting in Lost / Missed Flight / Unclaimed Luggage the entire time. They have someone go through each but it's treated "first come, first served". It may very well be where their luggage really is!

i know exactly how it is, being in another place and not have your stuff. I'm sending goods thoughts out to you all. Wish them good luck!!

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Kachina624 — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 07:20:05 GMT

I've had my luggage "misplaced" several ttimes. It has always shown up in a day or so and the airline has delivered it to me. Relax, and have faith that it will appear.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Big Sister — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 08:12:51 GMT

@Shorty2U, I have faith that they will get their luggage. The airlines have "lost" my luggage two different times, once in Mexico City. I always received my luggage the next day.

I have heard that travelers should take a photo of their luggage before they get to the airport, so it can be identified quickly, if lost. They also had me fill out a form choosing the shape and color of my bag.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Plaid Pants2 — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 11:40:21 GMT

The luggage should be at their final destination, even if they changed airlines.

Case in point.

The very first time that I flew anywhere, I took a trip to Ireland.

First I flew on United to Chicago O'Hare, then transfered to Aer Lingus for the rest of the trip.

My luggage was on the carrosel when I reached my final destination, of Cork Airport in Ireland.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Karie2022 — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 12:48:06 GMT

This happened to me also years ago...flying from Dallas to ft Myers all my luggage went missing including the Christmas bag full of gifts...but at 6am xmas morning there was a knock on the door with all of our luggage...so have hope!!

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

gmkb — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:08:29 GMT

If they were on the same airline all the way, their luggage would have been transferred for them and will be waiting in Philadelphia for them at the luggage retrieval office in the baggage area.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

KathyPet — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:15:05 GMT

Did they actually check in for the flight from London to Philly and leave their bags At the check in counter? yOu said that they missed the fight so I am not sure how their baggage would have gotten on that flight if they did not. When they checked the luggage they would have received baggage claim checks saying where the luggage was to be sent. What do those baggage claim checks show as the destination airport? If they arrived too late for the,London/Phila flight then when they were rerouted through Chicago to Philly they should have baggage claim checks that show that and the airline would take their luggage off the flight in Chicago and transfer it to the Philly flight.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

Krimpette — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 13:43:44 GMT

In the meantime, I would be saying: "Dear St Anthony, please come 'round. Something is lost and needs to be found". (And then I mention the item.) Works for me all the time! Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

drizzellla — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 14:25:29 GMT

When the airline "lost" my luggage they delivered it an hour or so before I was scheduled to fly home. I flew to Jacksonville for a wedding. My luggage was lost Friday night. Fortunately One dress did not fit in my suitcase so I put it in my son's bag. WELL - I wore the same dress to the rehersal dinner, bride's breakfast. wedding and reception. Sunday morning we went out to breakfast and came back to check out and fly home and the"lost" bag was sitting in our hotel room.

I never wore that dress again - nor did I want to.

Hope your story has a happy ending.

Re: People who fly can you help with luggage ?

CatsyCline — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 14:53:53 GMT

The baggage should arrive at Phildelphia; their final destination is Philadelphia and that is what is on the barcoded tape on the handles. becuase of the peak travel time it may take a day or two to get sorted out.

i fly in and out of a small airport with at least one connection if not two. on my return flights, my bags usually end up being in a secured area because they are pulled off the carousel before i even can get to the baggage claim area. i'm sure their wayward bags will be found!

Happy Holidays!

PHI airline baggage information

http://www.phl.org/passengerinfo/Pages/airlines.aspx