Did anyone fly yesterday? What is the real story on the carry on bag issue?
Aug 15th, 2006, 01:32 PM
#61
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i was in heathrow twice in the last 6 days and it's chaos. 10,000 bags were lost and the whole airport is completely gridlocked. thefts from bags has been a huge problem. everyone is pointing fingers at everyone (airlines at airport, etc). it's a complete mess and a disgrace.
Aug 15th, 2006, 10:32 PM
#64
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>>>>>
Is this at least being reported in the papers so that people are aware and hopefully the authorities will do something about it?
>>>>>
yes, it is all over the news here. from past posts on this board during other scares, i get the idea that the standard news stories in the US when anything happens in the UK describe the people and situation as "organised", "stoic", "stiff upper lip" and other useless british stereotypes that do not fit the reality of the situation. but i really don't know what the north american press is saying about this but our press is very candid about it and the chaos is a top story.
Is this at least being reported in the papers so that people are aware and hopefully the authorities will do something about it?
>>>>>
yes, it is all over the news here. from past posts on this board during other scares, i get the idea that the standard news stories in the US when anything happens in the UK describe the people and situation as "organised", "stoic", "stiff upper lip" and other useless british stereotypes that do not fit the reality of the situation. but i really don't know what the north american press is saying about this but our press is very candid about it and the chaos is a top story.
Aug 15th, 2006, 10:52 PM
#65
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The focus in the American media is more on the TSA restrictions here, and on the terrorist plot itself.
USA Today, which caters to a business traveler crowd, is doing a lot of stories on airport hassles. Today's front page did a story on travelers who prefer to carry-on only, and never check bags. More people have been checking bags in the last few days, so that's added to longer waits at carousels and more lost luggage, on both sides of the pond.
USA Today, which caters to a business traveler crowd, is doing a lot of stories on airport hassles. Today's front page did a story on travelers who prefer to carry-on only, and never check bags. More people have been checking bags in the last few days, so that's added to longer waits at carousels and more lost luggage, on both sides of the pond.
Aug 16th, 2006, 03:22 AM
#66
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Wanderlust...we fly 9/12...I'd be glad to text message you how our flight went (150 characters or less so I might be creative with shorthand! 
We're flying into London from Atlanta...so can give you a good account of what you might experience if I'm traveling before you....I'm a cheapo and text messaging will only cost me 20 cents! 
Let me know and you can send me your cell phone number...
Tara
We're flying into London from Atlanta...so can give you a good account of what you might experience if I'm traveling before you....I'm a cheapo and text messaging will only cost me 20 cents! Let me know and you can send me your cell phone number...Tara
Aug 16th, 2006, 04:17 AM
#68
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I'm sorry, but when there are a bunch of flights cancelled so they never leave the ground 10,000 bags do not get "lost"..they were either PUT somewhere or got stolen...how could they get lost if they never left?
Aug 16th, 2006, 05:24 AM
#69
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Actually, Dukey, the number of misplaced suitcases and bags at Heathrow has been pegged as in "the low tens of thousands," according to a senior Heathrow source and that bags may take "a few days" to be reunited with their owners. Hundreds of Brits have not been able to get into their locked cars at Heathrow parking lots because the keys are in missing bags. Heathrow officials also admit that baggage theft is up and some pax are worried that they are now at higher risk of home break-ins, because their house keys are in missing bags with their home addresses on them.
If your bag isn't waiting for you at the airport and officials tell you it may take a few days to get it back to you and can't tell you exactly where it is, then I don't think it's unreasonable to say the bag is "lost"--but hopefully, the loss won't be permanent.
If your bag isn't waiting for you at the airport and officials tell you it may take a few days to get it back to you and can't tell you exactly where it is, then I don't think it's unreasonable to say the bag is "lost"--but hopefully, the loss won't be permanent.
Aug 16th, 2006, 07:48 AM
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Btilke is quite right. the number of lost bags is now being reported as much higher than 10,000. yes, there are a lot of bags being stored at heathrow in temporary storage buildings (lorries). however, from anecdotal interviews with passengers, many are being told that their bags could be "anywhere in europe". unfortunately, for one passenger interviewed, it was not his bag but his wheelchair (his "legs"
. he was told basically that it "could be anywhere". normally the chairs are carefully minded by the airline (not checked as standard luggage)but brought up to the plane and stored on board...but in the chaos, these procedures went out the window.
it is a mess and i would avoid heathrow if possible.
. he was told basically that it "could be anywhere". normally the chairs are carefully minded by the airline (not checked as standard luggage)but brought up to the plane and stored on board...but in the chaos, these procedures went out the window.it is a mess and i would avoid heathrow if possible.
