Elderly father has arrived in Schipol Amsterdam and no suitcase

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aussiecruisers

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Hi, just need some advice desperately.
My father and his wife arrived on US Airways flight from Atlanta->Philadelphia on Wed morning at Schipol Amsterdam airport missing one suitcase.
He has very important medication for his legs in there. Yes I know he shouldn't have packed it into his checked-in luggage but he was so tired of being screened with it in his carry-on he decided to put it in his checked-in luggage.

They are currently sitting in their Hotel in Rotterdam and will be cruising out this Saturday 17 May.

What should he do?

Go to the airport and check through all the unclaimed bags?
Wait for a phone call?
Keep ringing the Airport?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
 
I have been in a similar situation myself with SK and it is extremely frustrating (and can really ruin a holiday). There's not a whole lot you can do apart from make 100% sure the airline has all of your contact details and know your travel plans (i.e. 'on this day I fly from here to here'). Most airlines (even LCCs) will courier a lost bag to you anywhere in the world - you just have to wait for it.

You can try chasing them up by calling them a few times a day but in my experience they're most likely to contact you when they find it.
 
Ring the insurance company if insurance cover is in place and ask them what to do including getting the medicine sorted ASAP.
 
I know he filled out loads of forms and mentioned 'Lost Baggage Desk'? Not sure if he went to US Airways? I will check with him when I speak to him soon and see if he has a lost baggage tracking number etc. Thanks for the links I'll check them out.
 
Ring the insurance company if insurance cover is in place and ask them what to do including getting the medicine sorted ASAP.

I did this already - sorry I should have mentioned that. Seniors Australia (ACE Insurance) wouldn't talk to me until I had authorisation from my father. They will ring him when it is morning there.
 
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It's possible the medication he takes may be available over the counter in the Netherlands. I've purchased medication in Thailand, Greece and Vietnam (among others) over the counter that is only available by prescription here.

The insurance company would also more than likely cover the cost of a doctor's visit to get a prescription if one was needed, however.

Also, keep at US. No doubt they have plenty of missing bags.
 
Tell him to go to a local doctor first thing in the morning and get a new prescription. (And yes, travel insurance should cover that cost).
 
Hi, just need some advice desperately.
My father and his wife arrived on US Airways flight from Atlanta->Philadelphia on Wed morning at Schipol Amsterdam airport missing one suitcase.
He has very important medication for his legs in there. Yes I know he shouldn't have packed it into his checked-in luggage but he was so tired of being screened with it in his carry-on he decided to put it in his checked-in luggage.

They are currently sitting in their Hotel in Rotterdam and will be cruising out this Saturday 17 May.

What should he do?

Go to the airport and check through all the unclaimed bags?
Wait for a phone call?
Keep ringing the Airport?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

did the airline advise they knew where the bag was? if so, it is highly likely the bag will be delivered to the hotel within 24 hours.

if the airline doesn't know where the bag is, it could be more problematic. but still very possible it will be located and arrive in time.

the longest I have had a bag go missing USA->Europe has been just over 48 hours.

As others have said... go to the doctor. The deductible with the insurance policy may mean that they don't get anything back for the visit. But that will be up to the individual policy.

Clothes and other items will be covered by both the airline and insurance up to a set limit. The airline will advise how much they will pay.

the best place for your folks to be is at the hotel rather than the airport. They probably won't have access to 'unclaimed bags' which will likely be in a sterile area.
 
The medication is not under a prescription - its treatment for ulcers (on his legs)- Prontosan Wound Gel. Something he can't do without. I eventually contacted the maker BBraun Netherlands branch and they were more than happy to help out and send to the hotel some of this ointment to get him through until he can get an order through at the pharmac_.

Thanks again for all of your advice - much appreciated.:)
 
The medication is not under a prescription - its treatment for ulcers (on his legs)- Prontosan Wound Gel. Something he can't do without. I eventually contacted the maker BBraun Netherlands branch and they were more than happy to help out and send to the hotel some of this ointment to get him through until he can get an order through at the pharmac_.

Thanks again for all of your advice - much appreciated.:)

Thats very cool, well done!
 
Tell him to go to a local doctor first thing in the morning and get a new prescription. (And yes, travel insurance should cover that cost).
Wow - I'm staggered that it took nine post before the obvious solution of "go and see a doctor".
 
The medication is not under a prescription - its treatment for ulcers (on his legs)- Prontosan Wound Gel. Something he can't do without. I eventually contacted the maker BBraun Netherlands branch and they were more than happy to help out and send to the hotel some of this ointment to get him through until he can get an order through at the pharmac_.

Thanks again for all of your advice - much appreciated.:)

Big business helping out. Great to see.
 
Wow - I'm staggered that it took nine post before the obvious solution of "go and see a doctor".
Nine posts over a three hour period is hardly dropping the ball on this or missing the obvious solution.

The obvious and best solution is to track the bags immediately before their holiday becomes extended. IF that is not going to be a quick fix then follow up medically.

A big lesson here IMHO is to ensure that someone can talk to the insurance company on behalf of the individuals. The insurance company is the one who should have all the contacts and be able to offer a suitable way forward.
 
Wow - I'm staggered that it took nine post before the obvious solution of "go and see a doctor".

As we didn't know what the medication was (eg if heavy duty pain relief etc) then seeing an unknown doctor might have been an issue for that Dr without full history.

But great news on the outcome.
 
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