Baggage black hole: airlines lose 42m bags

[Nigelinoz]

From:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article5923736.ece

More than one million pieces of luggage were irretrievably lost in 2007, according to the airline watchdog, the Air Transport Users Council (AUC).
Airlines mishandled 42 million bags worldwide in 2007, compared with 34 million in 2006 and 30 million in 2005. Of the 42 million mishandled in 2007, 1.2 million bags, or around one bag for every 2,000 passengers, were irretrievably lost.

I'm :shock: but I guess when you think about the number of bags in transit around the world at any one time there's bound to be a few hiccups.
but 42m does seem a lot.

 

[stryker]

And they're all ending up at someplace in Alabama.

I kid you not (check it out via Google).

 

[simongr]

I have said this many many times:

Hand Luggage Only!

 

[Maca44]

I have said this many many times:

Hand Luggage Only!

I used carry on for my 3 week last trip to the USA, and although I thought the benefits transitting through the various airports was great it wasn't until I arrived back in Sydney (flying J with an express pass) it took me 16 minutes from the time I stepped off the aircraft until I was standing outside the terminal. There is no way I will check bags from now on, and it doesn't matter where you travel you can still do it with carry on.

 

[Flashback]

I used carry on for my 3 week last trip to the USA, and although I thought the benefits transitting through the various airports was great it wasn't until I arrived back in Sydney (flying J with an express pass) it took me 16 minutes from the time I stepped off the aircraft until I was standing outside the terminal. There is no way I will check bags from now on, and it doesn't matter where you travel you can still do it with carry on.

I guess I've been quite lucky flying into Perth Int. with my last 2 trips, having checked luggage. 10 and 13 minutes respectively from getting off the aircraft to curbside.

 

[simongr]

I guess I've been quite lucky flying into Perth Int.

I think you could have stopped there - everything after that was implied

 

[Flashback]

I think you could have stopped there - everything after that was implied

If you land just after the EK flight though, it can be quite the opposite! :shock:

 

[anat0l]

Not to poke jest at the issue, but considering that there is still an inherent uncertainty, is it only slightly coincidental to anyone that the magical number of millions of bags lost by airlines came to 42? :shock:

In any case, I'm still going to use checked bags. I'll probably lose it one day - law of averages will eventually catch up to me - but the alternative is remarkable and noble, yet for me would be unachievable.

 

[serfty]

is it only slightly coincidental to anyone that the magical number of millions of bags lost by airlines came to 42? :shock: ...

Dunno about that! What was the Question?

Anyhoo ... As far as checked luggage goes I try to avoid it. Generally I can travel without it. SWMBO is coming around, but we always seem to have too much for carry-on only those last few sectors of a trip. :-|

(With her in tow, I carry a light folding duffel type bag for these situations.)

 

[Nigelinoz]

I'm probably stating the bloomin obvious here but I reckon the number of lost bags will go down this year,because with the GFC the number of people travelling will be down so the number of lost bags should go down,right? If it doesn't then something is really wrong.:mrgreen:

 

[Flashback]

I'm probably stating the bloomin obvious here but I reckon the number of lost bags will go down this year,because with the GFC the number of people travelling will be down so the number of lost bags should go down,right? If it doesn't then something is really wrong.:mrgreen:

But with people requiring more money, surely the bags going "missing" will increase so that the baggage handlers have more goods to sell on the black market to make more money? Right, right? :mrgreen:

 

[drron]

And they're all ending up at someplace in Alabama.

I kid you not (check it out via Google).

And I have actually been there in Scottsboro,AL.
Here is the place-
Unclaimed Baggage Center

 

[JohnK]

I had 2 bags misplaced in 2007 and I am not surprised luggage get lost eventually after what I witnessed in ATH looking my misplaced luggage.

Bags were everywhere with no proper recording system and I was lucky that I saw the first one. Signed for it but no sign of the second bag even though they were sent together. Came back a few days later into this room with luggage from floor to ceiling and I almost gave up when I noticed my QF bag tag. The bag was not recorded as having arrived and again I was lucky that I found it by accident.

From my impression the employees could care less and someone needs to take responsibilty and proper tracking at each airport to ensure that luggage is returned to it's rightful owners.

Even after what I witnessed I will continue with checked luggage on most trips as that is the only viable alternative....