Consumerist
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airline fees
American Airlines And The Tale Of The $100 "Prepaid Baggage Fee"
Reader Jeremy says that his attempts to be polite and have everything taken care of for someone who was doing his organization a big favor were made more difficult by a secret, unpublished "prepaid baggage fee" that American Airlines attempted to charge him. More » -
baggage fail
Photographer Says US Airways Soaked $17,850 Worth Of Camera Equipment
Reader Steve points us to a posting on a photography forum by a professional photographer who says his camera bag didn't fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat of his US Airways flight — and when he got the bag back after checking it — it was soaking wet. He says the employees he spoke with didn't believe him... do you? More » -
revenge
United Airlines Loses "United Breaks Guitars" Singer's Luggage
Dave Carroll, the musician who recently wrote a catchy new jingle for United Airlines, told the New York Times that on a flight with United this past Sunday they lost his bag. What's worse, United employees wouldn't let him leave the baggage area for more than an hour because they said the bag was just delayed. United told the paper, "We will fully investigate what regretfully happened."
"With Video, a Traveler Fights Back" [New York Times] (Thanks to Alan and Ray!)
(Photo: Doug Letterman) -
bankruptcy watch
Samsonite Files For Bankruptcy
Yesterday, a gorilla* stormed through the offices of Samsonite Corp, the "world's top luggage maker," and jumped up and down on their financial status. Their retail unit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will close approximately half of their 173 stores. More » -
songs
Dave Carroll Launches Second "United Breaks Guitars" Song And Video
Musician Dave Carroll hit the jackpot with his first song, "United Breaks Guitars," last month. The song, the video, and the subsequent media coverage formed a perfect anti-ad for United's poor handling of customer property. Now he's released the second of his planned three-song cycle and this one has more of a "we could have had something together" feel to it. Like any sequel, it's about 600 times more elaborate. We'll always love "United Breaks Guitars" most of all, but it's great to see Carroll continue his one-man shaming of an airline for not doing the right thing when it had the chance.
More »
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crime
Genius Baggage Handlers Steal Retired Police Sergent's Handgun
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that several baggage handlers working for a company contracted by Delta Airlines were busted in a sting operation that was launched following the theft of a handgun from a retired police sergeant's luggage. More » -
public relations
Did Dave Carroll's Broken Guitar Videos Cost United $180 Million?
The Times of London claims that public relations fallout from Dave Carroll's catchy videos panning United Airlines for breaking his beloved $3500 Taylor guitar and then denying his damage claim may have cost the airline's shareholders up to $180 million. More » -
fees
Poll: What's The Next Airline Fee?
With airlines now charging fees for not paying fees a specified way and contemplating charging for bathroom access, we wanted to take a crack at predicting the next annoying fee. Take the poll inside and suggest your own fee. More » -
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it's a trap
Genius TSA Officer & Baggage Handler Caught Stealing From Decoy Luggage
Two workers at JFK airport fell into a trap set by Delta Airlines and the TSA, says the Daily News. The two men are accused of stealing a Macbook Air and a T-Mobile Sidekick from decoy luggage. The first man, a TSA officer, was videotaped rummaging through a Miami-bound suitcase in an airport screening room while a baggage handler watched. More » -
follow ups
Dave Carroll Says No To Guitar Hush Money From United
We officially love Dave Carroll now. Not only is he cute and a good singer, but he's classy (check out how he defends the United employee in this video response) and has principles. The best part is at the end he encourages us to stay tuned for song #2. United hoped it could pay for the guitar and put an end to the bad publicity—but it looks like you're not getting off that easily, United. Check out the full video response below. More » -
Dave Carroll's "United Breaks Guitars" song and video EECB appears to be having the desired effect. Check out this tweet from United. [Twitter] (Thanks to Chris!) Update: Dave Carroll responds.
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songs
United Breaks Guitars
When United Airlines broke Dave Carroll's $3500 Taylor guitar in the the spring of 2008, he contacted them to ask for compensation. After all, he and other passengers watched from the plane as United baggage handlers actually threw his guitar around on the tarmac. United said they wouldn't pay for the damages, so Carroll wrote this catchy song about how much United sucks. We think it should go in United's next ad campaign. More » -
traveling
Never Pack Your Jewelry In Checked Baggage
This past February, a Delta customer had her expensive heirloom jewelry stolen from her checked bag on a trip from Rochester through Atlanta to Las Vegas:
More »My suitcase had been opened, my jewelry bag unzipped, and my fine jewelry (gold, diamonds, sapphires) had been hand picked out of the jewelry bag and the inexpensive jewelry (plastic, glass, metal) left strewn across my belongings inside my suitcase.
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travel
Bill Would Boost The Size Of Carry-On Bags, Charge TSA With Enforcement
H.R. 2870 would require all airlines to accept slightly larger carry-on bags, which is great if you actually abide by the published carry-on limits. If you don't, well, get ready to change your scofflaw ways because the TSA will enforce the new limits, and even slightly oversized bags won't make it past security checkpoints. More » -
airlines
Bridal Gown Vanishes From US Airways During Flight To Wedding
Jenn is from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and lives in Pennsylvania. She held her wedding in her hometown, and eight days before the wedding, she flew down to prepare. Her wedding gown didn't make it. Someone stole the gown out of her checked baggage. More » -
excess baggage
Four Checked Bags On Delta Will Cost You $365 In Fees
Most travelers make do with 2 normal-sized pieces of luggage or less, but if you think you might have to travel with more bags, or unusually large or heavy ones, be prepared to shell out a lot of cash for what's called an "excess baggage fee." More » -
airlines
Here's What The Airlines Are Charging For Luggage
Daniel at dansdeals.com has put together a chart of baggage fees for 22 US and Canadian airlines. Spirit takes the prize for most expensive, but there are a dozen contenders for second place. The best: Southwest, Air Canada, Porter and WestJet. If you travel with lots of luggage, you may want to bookmark this page for future reference the next time you're purchasing tickets.
"Updated Airline Checked Baggage Fees Roundup…" [DansDeals]
(Photo: sun dazed) -
crime
Newly Bought Clothes Mysteriously Escape Your Luggage And Return Themselves
Ah yes, the Philadelphia Airport. You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. A baggage handler has been charged with two counts of theft after a woman noticed that $550 worth of clothes (with the price tags still on) had mysteriously wandered out of her luggage. More »
luggage
New York, 3:09 AM
Fri Nov 13
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