Thursday, March 22, 2007

A suitcase found but broken.

When publicly telling of events, things have to be reported correctly.

United Air Lines seemed to have lost a suitcase on a flight from Ontario, California, to Rapid City, South Dakota, with a stop over in Denver, Colorado.

Today, the suitcase was delivered by United Air Lines at Santek Trailers in Riverside, California.

The good news is that the suitcase has been found.
More good news is that United Air Lines delivered the suitcase.
Bravo United Air Lines.

Other news is that the suitcase was so badly damaged, it finished its life in the garbage container of Santek Trailers.
The suitcase was broken in many places, due to very rough handling.


Opening the suitcase, a letter was found!

From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Saying:

“To protect you and your fellow passengers, the Transportation Security Administration is required by law to inspect all checked baggage.
As part of this process, some bags are opened and physically inspected.
Your bag was among those selected for physical inspection.”

It might very well be that it was not United Air Lines who lost the suitcase as was previously reported.
It might be that the suitcase has been in the care of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security while the traveller was not having his toothbrush and clean clothes.

Now it becomes necessary to buy a new suitcase.
For a long time a "Rimowa" suitcase was intended to be purchased.
Made in Germany, great design, made of aluminium with a 5 year guarantee, but costing about $ 1,000
However, a "Rimowa" suitcase is the best one can get.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do yourself a favor, and buy one that fits the carry on size requirements. This way you'll never be without your underware.

Anonymous said...

Did you have the suitcase locked? Don't lock the new one - they'll take a can opener to it!

Anonymous said...

Try and find a suitcase with "Tsa Approved Luggage Locks" so they can open your suitcase with out braking te locks.

Anonymous said...

My experience has been that expensive luggage is stolen.
Inexpensive soft sided luggage is, inexplicably, the safest bet. And yes, never lock it if you are flying to, from or within the US.

Anonymous said...

Being back behind where the luggage is handled I have seen that it is not the people the rough handle the bags it's the machines that tear them up.
Try it yourself, you can't destroy a bag but tie it behind your car and drag it down the street for a block or two and you'll see the difference.

Joe said...

Just another good reason not to fly. This whole TSA silliness is a ruse to deny our Constitutional Rights. Last time I checked, the 4th Amendment still applies.
Rant over.

Anonymous said...

United Airlines will give you a new suitcase to replace the broken one. Or they will reimburse you (up to some small amount) for the purchase of a new suitcase. Go to the United baggage office at the Ontario airport (probably near the baggage carousel) to make the claim. Take your ticket stub and broken suitcase to show them the damage and explain the story. If any of your clothing was lost or damaged, you can make a claim for it, too.