Looking for advice- like what to do now…

My husband and I are traveling today…We flew out of ATL with carry on luggage only. The Delta flight did not have room to store my husband’s suitcase in the overhead compartment, so the stewardess took the luggage. Once we arrived in NYC, the stewardess gave my husband a ticket to pick up his luggage in baggage claim.

There are 2 problems with this. First, we are only in NYC for 2 hours, as this is our layover (end destination is Shannon, Ireland). So we don’t have time to leave the airport and drive the 20 minutes to baggage claim and then re-enter the airport and go thru security check again, otherwise we are afraid we will miss our last flight. The second problem is that he was given a ticket with someone else’s name and seat number on it. My husband didn’t realize this until after the fact. He really needs his suit case. He wears contact lens. Those are in his suit case. We have a rental car scheduled. I can drive the rental car in Ireland. But on July 12, we have an Aer Lingus flight to Milan, Italy. There, you have to have an International Driver's Licence. He got this thru AAA. I did not b/c he said he wanted to do all the driving. He is literally not going to be able to see.

Any suggestions would be most welcome. Our vacation is a 2 week vacation.

What can we do now? Really just need his suitcase. It can’t be far. He has already talked to many Delta people. Getting all different answers. It’s crazy.

Which NY airport are you at - probably JFK?? Only people working for Delta there will likely have any idea where it is and what to do. Or -- Ask your question on FlyerTalk where someone on the Delta forum will at least know what their procedures are and how to trace your bag.

I would look into getting replacement lenses in Dublin.

So what was the end result?

I’ve never heard of having to leave the airport and drive 20min to baggage claim. That must be a NYC thing. Hopefully your bag has been located.

it’s a good reminder to make sure all of your essentials remain on your person.

International Driver's License is optional AFAIK.

I'm not understanding the situation either.

If I travel carryon I always have a small bag inside with essentials that I can pull out if gate check is required.

I have only had this happen to me on Southwest airlines. Once they lost my bags for 6 hours. I otherwise usually board in one of the first groups so I know I can find room for my carryon. If you contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist they should be able to provide you with the prescription which should be easy to fill if soft contacts in Dublin. Gas perms might take some time to acquire.

Actually in Italy an IDP (International Drivers Permit) is required. The rental agency may not even ask for it, but if the driver is in an accident or is stopped for a moving violation, the police can legally ask for it - and there can be a fine if there is no IDP.

I wonder if the OP will ever come back and tell us whether they found their bag before they left for Italy.

I don't understand the drive to baggage claim either, but people really need to learn NOT to put essentials like meds, passport, credit cards, etc in any suitcase to be checked or even a carryon suitcase. Anyone is entitled to a small personal item on any flight I know, that is where such things should be.

Two hours is enough time to go to baggage claim and back through security to the new gate. At least that would be my (safe) assumption.

Am guessing the "drive" would be a ride on one of the carts for people with mobility issues.

I am interested to find out “the rest of the story”.

Did you arrive into LGA?

Never mind..its been weeks..

>> a ticket to pick up his luggage in baggage claim.

Don't gate checked bags get placed back on the jetway outside the door of the plane and don't go to baggage claim?

Almost 20 years ago a United FA took my bag and gave me a bag tag. I asked her if the bag will go to baggage claim and she just mumbled. I went to baggage claim and the bag never came. Thar flighrt was IAD-LAX. I think it got put on the jetway and then stowed in the plane again for the next leg. It went to Guatemala for a couple of days. When I went to LAX to get the bag I got a jaywalking ticket crossing from T7 to the parking lot.

"Don't gate checked bags get placed back on the jetway outside the door of the plane and don't go to baggage claim?"

Often yes, sometimes no. It depends on the airport -- maybe also on type of plane, not sure about that. The agent explains the procedure when gate checking the bag.

The rental car company doesn't care about the IDP. As the Hertz lady at the Venice airport said = that is for the police. If you are in an accident or are stopped for a violation, you'll need to show it to the officer. If you are not, you will not need to show it to anyone. If you are in an accident, etc. there may be a fine if you do not have one. If you tell the officer what happened to your luggage, they may skip the fine. The IDP is the least of your worries. I hope your luggage caught up with you. I agree, NEVER check medicines, contact lenses, etc. Alway carry on the flight, even if you have to take those items out of your gate checked luggage.