Where my clothes went? Albany, Newark, Houston, Belize?
 

As requested we did not lock our two duffle bags when we checked in with Continental in Albany, NY for our flight to Belize. We changed our planes in Newark and then Houston. <BR>We had very close connection in Newark due to changes made by Continental but we were asured by the agents and their supervisors that we have planty of time. Well, we made it but our bags did not.<BR><BR>In Belize we went to one of the jungle lodges and waited for our bags to be delivered. They never came. <BR>We moved to another place where our bags finally arrived after 6 days.<BR>However, 12 aricle of clothing were gone from one bag and 8 from the other. That includes shoes, two Gortex jackets, wet suit and my husband's snorkeling gear. We could get by with less socks and underwear we just had to wash them more often<BR><BR>We filed all forms but Continental is not reposnsible now since our bags were open.<BR>There was aplenty time for anyone in any of this airports to help him-/herself to our stuff<BR><BR>So if you see some baggae handlers in Newark or Houston or Belize wearing Gortex jackets they may be wearing ours.<BR><BR>So much for unlocked bags. <BR>

I don't see how the airline can tell you that you cannot lock your bags and then not be responsible for items lost out of them. I've never had to have packed items replaced, but I've never had a problem with American Airlines replacing damaged baggage.<BR><BR>I would certainly think you have some recourse in this. Check around.<BR>

Any chance your credit card company might cover the loss?

This sounds suspicious to me. USAirways cheerfully gave me money when a leather jacket was stolen from my unlocked bag at Baltimore a few years ago. (I'm not sure those bag locks do much to keep a thief out of your bags anyway as they are easily broken!) The bigger issue here is that the bags were gone for SO LONG, giving a number of people ample opportunity to pilfer them. Continental owes you on this one...don't back down!

Boy, I have new found respect for US Airways now! I got to Nantucket, but my luggage didnt. Since its still chilly in early June they told me they'd reimburse me for a jacket etc Long story short USairways bought me a very nice fleece sweatshirt! My bags arrived by cab like 4hours later and in tact thank God. High prices were my only obstacle on Nantucket, but being six days in a place like Belize mustve been horrible! Im so sorry Tina.