GucciCoochie

A friend who has designer luggage recently told me, after my husband purchased a full set of designer luggage for me at Christmas, that it is common knowledge that luggage handlers will treat a suitcases with Vuitton or Gucci on them worse on purpose. Has anyone heard of this or should I stick with my good ol' Samsonite this time? We are flying from Newark (EWR) to Miami (MIA)for a week and then on to Saint Bart's for another week on February 15th.
Thank you for your replies.

JackOneill

I honestly don't think baggage handlers have the time.

I think this falls into the "urban legend" area.

janis

totally agree w/ Jack. Have you seen how much cargo baggage handlers have to load in a REALLY short time? They are not going to stop and say to themselves "Whoa - there is a rich-bi**ches gucci case. Guess I'll have to stomp on it once or twice."

Faina

I've heard that the larger pieces of luggage are more likely to be left behind if the flight is full or late. Maybe somebody's huge designers suitecase arrived late, and this was the reason for rumor? The luggage is disrespected equally - just tossed in.

Patrick

I agree with the urban legend theory. However, on a related note, one of those 60 minute type shows did a hidden camera expose on loading luggage and the problems of stealing from luggage by baggage handlers. They made a clear point that designer luggage was more likely to be "robbed" than the cheap stuff.

GucciCoochie

"The luggage is disrespected equally - just tossed in."

Ouch. That's what I figured. I would hate for it to be really roughed up on it's "maiden voyage".

"However, on a related note, one of those 60 minute type shows did a hidden camera expose on loading luggage and the problems of stealing from luggage by baggage handlers. They made a clear point that designer luggage was more likely to be "robbed" than the cheap stuff."

What a shame. Sounds like I should go with my trusty Samsonite (never been pillaged - as far as I know). Maybe if we ever get to go on a private jet or drive to a vacation the new stuff will come along.



And I was so excited to get this stuff! I remember seeing some movie as a kid with a movie start and her steamer trunk type designer luggage that all matched. I thought that was so cool. Oh well!

Thanks for the helpful replies.

nataliemm

I think it would be very foolish to check your designer luggage. It's like an agvertisement "hey I've got money, come look inside". Since we cannot lock our baggage I can predict there is a very high probability your personal belongings will be pilfered. How do I know? Because when I flew 1st class things were stolen out of my baggage. (There was a tag that said priority baggage). Anything that sticks out will draw theives. Don't check anything you can't afford to lose.

bookhall

Hey, go with the new stuff. Enjoy it. Whether new or old, I wouldn't pack anything in it that has more than nominal value, anyway. I suspect that with the TSA folks roaming around, there's a real damper on anyone rifling through luggage that isn't a fed.

Incidentally, I've been quite impressed with what I've seen so far of the new guys. The TSA strikes me as quite professional, thorough and helpful.

J_Correa

bookhall - I feel the same way about the new TSA employees at the airports. They are much more professional and efficient than the previous screeners. I've taken 2 round trips since they've been around and going through security has been smooth. I even got randomly searched at the gate and it wasn't too bad.

It's probably a combination of better salaries attracting better employees, better training of security personnel and the intense scrutiny the department is getting.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

I am of the opinion that I really don't care what luggage looks like, as long as it protects the contents. I also don't think that anyone's luggage is treated differently in handling, but some brands are a better candidate for theft. Take what you need so your belongings arrive in good shape, and realize that the luggage is really only a container subject to some rough treatment. If it's important to you that the gift luggage remain looking nice, then use it primarily on trips where you keep it under your control.

I'm very satisfied with the level of service TSA is providing, and hope it continues (fingers crossed!).

Ann41

I had a friend who worked in baggage handling at Gatwick--he quit after about 2 weeks because he was sickened by the stuff he saw other handlers doing: urinating on bags, rummaging through bags and taking what they liked, squirting sun tan lotion on the contents of a bag, and so on.

JackOneill

Ann, I'm sure that kind of stuff (urinating on bags, suntan lotion, etc) has happened. I'd be very surprised, however, if it happens a lot.

This may explain our high unemploymeny rate. Too many baggage handlers caught peeing on suitcases and now they're out of a job.

OliveOyl

LOL How many times can the average person pee in one 8 hr shift!?

I'm a believer in not saving "good" for best. Use it and enjoy it...otherwise it's a waste to have bought, imho. Much of that stuff is tough too. Not sure Hartmann qualifies as designer, but we've got some that is indestructible and our daughter and s-i-l are using some handed down from his father after *he* tired of it!

GucciCoochie

Once again, thanks to all of you for yur insights and suggestions.

Flyboy

I agree with those who say you may as well break it in and get it over with. I am nearly amazed at the wear that our baggage sustains in transit. We have quality (though not designer) stuff and while it has not failed, everything we've ever placed into service invariably gets seriously beat up after just a few trips.

djkbooks

If this is true (which I, personally, doubt, as luggage handlers are way too busy to care about any bag in particular), it may be that owners of "designer" luggage simply check more carefully and more frequently.

Curious that you should mention Samsonite. Some decades ago, I "invested" in a gorgeous sky blue pullman (this was before wheels and telescoping handles, obviously). My first sojourn with my "investment" was from Boston to LA. When I collected my bag off the carousel, I was positively horrified when I saw a small black scuff mark on my brand new bag!

I, personally, do not subscribe to spending extra bucks where it just does not matter. Durability and functionality are far more important that appearance or "design". And, anything obviously expensive shouts "Steal This One!".

If you're thinking of being "impressive", it's not likey to have much effect on porters, desk clerks, bell hops, who likely have no hope of ever staying where they work, even with those employee discounts. Except that they may expect a much larger tip.

GucciCoochie

"If you're thinking of being "impressive", it's not likey to have much effect on porters, desk clerks, bell hops, who likely have no hope of ever staying where they work, even with those employee discounts. Except that they may expect a much larger tip."


I am not trying to be impressive at all. Don't have to be and wouldn't ever be condescending. You know when you are a kid and you see that really cool looking car and you tell yourself one day when you can afford it you're going to buy one? Even if the car is a classic when you finally have the money? That's me with this luggage!

GucciCoochie

"If you're thinking of being "impressive", it's not likey to have much effect on porters, desk clerks, bell hops, who likely have no hope of ever staying where they work, even with those employee discounts. Except that they may expect a much larger tip."


I am not trying to be impressive at all. Don't have to be and wouldn't ever be condescending. You know when you are a kid and you see that really cool looking car and you tell yourself one day when you can afford it you're going to buy one? Even if the car is a classic when you finally have the money? That's me with this luggage!

Oh, I tip well anyway. I have a lot of feelings for people who don't make a ton of money in the service industry. I hate it when I don't see people tip. I hope I just didn't see the transaction.