Dec 24, 2022
In this experience we are happy to share an interview with a fan of the show, Stephanie, about her experience with a flight from Vancouver to Montreal to Lisbon. This took place during the summer 2022 travel chaos.
Stephanie was travelling to Lisbon, mixing business and pleasure. When her and her mother arrived in Lisbon, their bags had not made the connection in Montreal and did not reach Lisbon. They took the time to create the tracking file and met up with others whose bags were missing. She traded information with another traveller who flew from Vancouver.
Stephanie had the dilemma of buying clothes due to lost luggage "Are we trying to buy clothes that will get us through a few days, or clothes that we will love a long time?"
Stephanie took the time to buy new luggage as well, bright orange. Just what is the value of the item in your bag?
On the final day before her return trip to Vancouver, Stephanie got a text message from a stranger with a picture of her bag "Your bag is sitting next to carousel four. Here's a picture of it." Meanwhile the tracker stated that tracing continues.
Stephanie and her mother had to leave Lisbon with double baggage, and a shout out is given to the check in staff in Lisbon.
Stephanie is still trying to get the full compensation back for the replacement items - the airline would only compensate for one person.
We look at key components of Stephanie’s story. An agent can check where the last bag scan happened. She treated the baggage staff with respect. She teamed up with someone to help search for baggage. She did not have much packed in carry-on for clothing in case of lost bags. Make sure you take your medication with you in carry-on. Information on the baggage tag is critical. Do you know the value of your bag’s items? Do you have extra lost baggage coverage? Are there government protections?
If you're liking this episode experience, you may also enjoy Experience 016. "South by Southw...wait what's happening with our flight and bags?" It's available wherever you listen to your podcasts.
News Items:
- simpleflying.com article "An Avgeek's Perfect Christmas Present: The World Of Airline Gift Cards"
- travelandleisure.com article "Frontier Airlines Eliminates Phone-based Customer Service"
If you have a story about lost baggage, travel insurance claims, upcoming trips, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/