New rule could require airlines to refund bag fee if luggage is lost

[marmar]

from the Detroit Free Press:




With airline baggage fees raking in $3.3 billion for airlines each year, the least they can do is give your money back if they lose or delay your bags.

That's the essence of a new rule proposed by the Department of Transportation.

It would require airlines to refund fees if your luggage is lost or not delivered in a "timely" matter. Most airlines charge $25 per checked bag.

Unlike other airlines, Delta, Detroit Metro's largest carrier, already does provide a "delayed bag fee rebate" if your bag is not delivered within 12 hours. But it comes in the form of an electronic travel voucher good on future flights, not cash. ........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20110414/FEATURES07/110414024/New-rule-could-require-airlines-refund-bag-fee-luggage-lost?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

[PBS Poll-435]

1. I snort laughed

Jeebuz, even with random sunroofs, I will STILL only fly Southwest. (where they don't charge you a friggin nickle to check your bag)

[marmar]

2. "random sunroofs"

:P

[intheflow]

8. Yeah, but Southwest lost my bag

on my way to my step-father's funeral. Then they low-balled me about $300 on replacement item costs. I'll never fly them again.

[CBGLuthier]

3. They will be like Paul Dooley in Breaking Away

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGMoalQ9A18

[Sonoman]

4. They don't even scan them. They don't know where your bags are.

Our schedule was turned upside-down because of the January ice storms in Atlanta (SFO-ATL). It took us two convoluted days to get to Atlanta, and four days for our bags.

During one of many phone calls to AA I was informed that the bar codes on the bag tags were never scanned, the codes were there only "because it's the law".

Sheesh...

Sonoman

[WolverineDG]

7. Maybe at AA, but CO does, or did

whenever my bags went walkabout (not often, but on occasion), they would check to see where they were last scanned in.

But, yeah, if you have to pay through the nose to check your bag, it damn sure better be there when you get off the plane. By forcing you to pay to check a bag, the airlines are now providing you a service instead of performing a "courtesy."

dg

[frazzled]

5. Ya think?

What other business could charge you for a "service" (dubious) that they didn't even deliver ... and that caused you aggravation, pain and suffering, and probably the purchase price of new underwear and a shaving kit.

[Wednesdays]

6. Yeah really...ya think? You mean, they aren't gonna fine you instead?

I can just imagine some corporation coming up with an "inconvenience surcharge."
:puke:

[littlewolf]

9. they need to ... nt