Your plane landed safely, you hurry to the conveyor belt, trying to get your bags. But you find out that among your luggage on the tape, your things are missing. How to be?
Algorithm of action in case of loss of luggage:
- Do not try to seek loss yourself! Immediately address to the representative office of the airline, whose services you used. This air carrier bears full financial responsibility for the luggage of all passengers. Functioning of the mission is carried out round the clock.
- Present in the airline office a ticketed coupon on the ticket, describe in detail the appearance of your suitcase, the contents of the baggage and any special signs that are visible on your thing (for example, there is a small scratch in the side of the suitcase, etc.)
- Check how the luggage loss statement was drawn up.
In the future, all the actions to search for the loss is carried out by the airline.
Most often, misunderstandings with luggage happen for two reasons: either the luggage was not loaded on the plane, or mistakenly loaded on the wrong flight.
Baggage search terms
Ideally, the company should immediately begin searching for lost luggage . The maximum period of search is 14 days, if during this time the baggage will not be found, the passenger is paid monetary compensation.
The size of compensation in case of loss of luggage
After the act is drawn up, usually carriers provide the victim with a small but free amount to purchase essential goods. The amount of such payment is usually not more than $ 50.
In accordance with the Warsaw Convention, the minimum amount of compensation is $ 22 per kilogram of weight, sometimes (but very rarely!) The carrier airline pays more. The amount of payment is absolutely independent of what constitutes the contents of your luggage, therefore it is recommended to transport expensive items (jewelry, expensive equipment and other valuable items) in hand luggage .
Attention: if you have retained checks for purchased items, you can try to file a loss statement. In practice, there are cases where, if not completely, then at least in part, the victims were paid compensation.
If the safety of baggage is violated
Unfortunately, there are situations when baggage has been opened, and the most valuable things have disappeared from the suitcase. The algorithm of action is similar to that with the loss of luggage. But as evidence you should show a damaged suitcase, for example, with torn locks. The representative of the airline makes an act of theft, which is then sent to the central office. After the investigation, the commission determines the amount of compensation paid, sometimes quite considerable.
The luggage is mixed up
Inattentive citizens, sometimes, grab a suitcase that looks like their own. Many airports have additional control at the exit, where the number on the baggage tag and the number in the baggage coupon are compared. If your baggage "swam" by mistake, you should tell the airline office, leaving your contact phone number and address for communication so that when you return the bag you can immediately contact.
How to reduce the probability of loss or opening of baggage?
- to carry out full packing of luggage by an adhesive tape or to ask to make the given procedure of the employees accepting suitcases (for an additional payment);
- check the correctness of filling the baggage tag, which is attached to the bag, suitcase. There the name, surname, home address and telephone number of the owner must be correctly and accurately written;
- do not linger when disembarking from an airliner, then quickly come to the conveyor belt, and closely monitor all bags and suitcases unloaded onto the tape.
Following these simple rules will greatly reduce the likelihood of missing your belongings!