Damaged Suitcases

[Trot]

meant to post this before Christmas but got distracted.

When we got back to Birmingham in December our case was damaged AGAIN!! This was our 3rd case damaged in 5 years so as you can imagine we were less than impressed. First 2 times we were fobbed off.

Difference was that this time the handling agent smiled, asked for the tag that was wrapped around the handle on the case and then stated they would send a new one to my home address within 48 hours. She even gave me a choice of which case I wanted.

2 working days later DHL arrived with a new case.

Is this a fluke or do other airlines do it.

[rab_c.]

if luggage is damaged in transit and you take your case from the carousel direct to the handling agent you have a case or should have a claim (excuse the pun) with any handling agent but! if you carry on home or to your destination and report the damage later then it is very hard to prove negligence, that is when you are normally fobbed of by airline handlers.

[Trot]

1st 2 times we were given a claim form and asked to fill it in including giving details of what was in the case and what was damaged or missing.

We were then advised to claim on our house insurance or challenge the handling agent for compensation.

Both times this happened we had night flights and standing at the airport at 7am arguing about a suitcase did not appeal especially as the mini Trots were shattered.

The difference this time was we had an afternoon flight and no mini Trots.

[Loz]

we flew with thomson to Greece in July and on the return to Manchester, my case, which is one of those hard shell jobs, was absolutely knackered. One wheel was missing, the shell was cracked all along the bottom and a big piece had snapped off entirely. I complained at the airport straight away, the staff were really good, took a few details, gave me a receipt and sent me to another section of the airport where i was given a brand new like-for-like case straight away. i was really made up as i thought i would be fobbed off and told to claim on my insurance.