Bathroom Break and Lost Luggage

October 24, 2014

in Luggage Stories

I arrive at the Milwaukee airport in late August, looking forward to a quick direct flight to Dallas for work. As I arrive, I get an update from the airline: flights delayed for an hour. Oh well, have a couple of beers on the company dime and still get to Dallas in time for dinner.

One hour quickly turns into two, and then to three. As we’re finally able to board, the reason for the delay is made clear: the light bulb in the bathroom is out, and American doesn’t have anyone who can fix it. Well it’s a quick flight, we can all just hold it right? Nope. Apparently a plane cannot be in the air for longer than an hour and a half without a functioning lavatory. They announce that we will be making an unscheduled stop in Springfield, MO (SFO) for a bathroom break (not making this up). With this great frustration on my mind, I barely notice handing my carry-on to the gate agent because it’s too big for the overhead…

We make it to SFO, and then shit gets weird. Our flight attendant times out (only allowed to work so many hours a day), and so we have to wait for another flight attendant to fly us to Dallas. Another hourish delay ensues. At this point it’s basically become a joke. But I’ll get there eventually, how bad can it be?

Get to Dallas finally, roughly four hours after I was supposed to. Waiting for the gate checked carry-ons to show up. They all arrive, except for mine. I couldn’t believe it. How do you screw this up? I go and talk to a baggage agent and she says to file a claim in the morning, and that it should be back to me in no time. I file the claim first thing the next morning, and wait for my bag to arrive.

To make a long story short, it is now October and I have received a final decision on compensation for my lost bag. Zero dollars because I didn’t file within four hours (something that no one ever mentioned to me). So here I am, out 450 bucks, and possessed with the overwhelming desire to never, ever fly with American Airlines again.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Dave October 25, 2014 at 5:47 am

Glad to know you didn't make up the airport code either…SFO is San Francisco, not Springfield, MO

Reply

Dave October 31, 2014 at 12:34 pm

Should've checked that again. My bad. SGF is what it should be.

Reply

Substantial October 28, 2014 at 11:12 pm

Flight delayed, airline loses bag. I'm amazed this story didn't make worldwide news.

Reply

Dave October 31, 2014 at 12:35 pm

That part isn't unique. I felt the bathroom break was.

Reply

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