Complaint Review: Continental Airlines

I am a VERY frequent flyer who logs over 100,000 miles a year just on one airline and I fly just about every one of them. To make the statement that Contenental doesn't ever damage or loss a bag is just STUPID! Every airline does and Contenental is far from the best a caring for the passengers property, this is public information. Just check the complaints with the frequent flyer organizations. In addition to blaim all the baggage problems that occur on the TSA is just as STUPID! They first of all do not search EVERY bag only a sampling or one that showes items that can not be recognized. Every time they open a bag a pamplet is placed in the bag explaining it was examined. In addition if you want to know haw baggage gets damaged just stand at the windows of the airport and watch how the ramp team handles it. I have actually saw baggage dropped from the aircraft to the ground instead of using the conveyor, baggage left on the ground and not loaded on the plane, and baggage ran over by a tug used to haul it to and from the terminal and you have the gaul to say it is TSA's fault! When was the last time you past a drug screening? Maybe your employer should randomly pick you for the next round.

I just flew CO from Cleveland to Chicago MidWay and return on Friday/Sunday. With nothing else to do, I C A R E F U L L Y read the terms of service for CO. I was shocked:: they have NO responsibility for lost or damaged items in your checked luggage!!!! (If you kept your ticket jacket, read it and weep.) Wow, I will NOT check any more luggage with anything valuable in it, let me tell you. I was completely surprised. However, I think that you can buy extra insurance for your checked items; but to have the airlines have NO responsibility...... and then they say not to lock it, guess so TSA can rummage thru it for what they want.
A comment for the first answerer: as a previously salaried employee of an airline: vp comptroller, I OK'd payrolls for the cockpit and cabin crews and know how much a first officer makes. I am currently a civil servant and there is no way even a supervisor of TSA makes the same as a first officer. Civil Service pay scales are available at OPM.gov. The highest civil servant makes about 130G a year, while the lowest about 14G. I am sure that most of the TSA folks are just starting out and are probably GS-1 (General Scale) and make anywhere from 14.5G to maybe 17.5G. You are getting what you pay for...... My carry on was searched in April; the idiot didn't even know what my cologne was; she asked the person beside here what "ko-log-nee" was. The partner didn't know either.... I told them that is was just like an after-shave, but more expensive!!!!! They wanted to take it away because it smelled like alcohol (duh!).

I just flew CO from Cleveland to Chicago MidWay and return on Friday/Sunday. With nothing else to do, I C A R E F U L L Y read the terms of service for CO. I was shocked:: they have NO responsibility for lost or damaged items in your checked luggage!!!! (If you kept your ticket jacket, read it and weep.) Wow, I will NOT check any more luggage with anything valuable in it, let me tell you. I was completely surprised. However, I think that you can buy extra insurance for your checked items; but to have the airlines have NO responsibility...... and then they say not to lock it, guess so TSA can rummage thru it for what they want.
A comment for the first answerer: as a previously salaried employee of an airline: vp comptroller, I OK'd payrolls for the cockpit and cabin crews and know how much a first officer makes. I am currently a civil servant and there is no way even a supervisor of TSA makes the same as a first officer. Civil Service pay scales are available at OPM.gov. The highest civil servant makes about 130G a year, while the lowest about 14G. I am sure that most of the TSA folks are just starting out and are probably GS-1 (General Scale) and make anywhere from 14.5G to maybe 17.5G. You are getting what you pay for...... My carry on was searched in April; the idiot didn't even know what my cologne was; she asked the person beside here what "ko-log-nee" was. The partner didn't know either.... I told them that is was just like an after-shave, but more expensive!!!!! They wanted to take it away because it smelled like alcohol (duh!).

I just flew CO from Cleveland to Chicago MidWay and return on Friday/Sunday. With nothing else to do, I C A R E F U L L Y read the terms of service for CO. I was shocked:: they have NO responsibility for lost or damaged items in your checked luggage!!!! (If you kept your ticket jacket, read it and weep.) Wow, I will NOT check any more luggage with anything valuable in it, let me tell you. I was completely surprised. However, I think that you can buy extra insurance for your checked items; but to have the airlines have NO responsibility...... and then they say not to lock it, guess so TSA can rummage thru it for what they want.
A comment for the first answerer: as a previously salaried employee of an airline: vp comptroller, I OK'd payrolls for the cockpit and cabin crews and know how much a first officer makes. I am currently a civil servant and there is no way even a supervisor of TSA makes the same as a first officer. Civil Service pay scales are available at OPM.gov. The highest civil servant makes about 130G a year, while the lowest about 14G. I am sure that most of the TSA folks are just starting out and are probably GS-1 (General Scale) and make anywhere from 14.5G to maybe 17.5G. You are getting what you pay for...... My carry on was searched in April; the idiot didn't even know what my cologne was; she asked the person beside here what "ko-log-nee" was. The partner didn't know either.... I told them that is was just like an after-shave, but more expensive!!!!! They wanted to take it away because it smelled like alcohol (duh!).

I just flew CO from Cleveland to Chicago MidWay and return on Friday/Sunday. With nothing else to do, I C A R E F U L L Y read the terms of service for CO. I was shocked:: they have NO responsibility for lost or damaged items in your checked luggage!!!! (If you kept your ticket jacket, read it and weep.) Wow, I will NOT check any more luggage with anything valuable in it, let me tell you. I was completely surprised. However, I think that you can buy extra insurance for your checked items; but to have the airlines have NO responsibility...... and then they say not to lock it, guess so TSA can rummage thru it for what they want.
A comment for the first answerer: as a previously salaried employee of an airline: vp comptroller, I OK'd payrolls for the cockpit and cabin crews and know how much a first officer makes. I am currently a civil servant and there is no way even a supervisor of TSA makes the same as a first officer. Civil Service pay scales are available at OPM.gov. The highest civil servant makes about 130G a year, while the lowest about 14G. I am sure that most of the TSA folks are just starting out and are probably GS-1 (General Scale) and make anywhere from 14.5G to maybe 17.5G. You are getting what you pay for...... My carry on was searched in April; the idiot didn't even know what my cologne was; she asked the person beside here what "ko-log-nee" was. The partner didn't know either.... I told them that is was just like an after-shave, but more expensive!!!!! They wanted to take it away because it smelled like alcohol (duh!).

Upon reading about your troubles with Continental, I do have to say that in their defense that the TSA is the main person who handles baggage/security and not the airlines. As an employee myself for many years with Continental I have never, and I mean NEVER had a problem with stolen items, lost baggage, damaged bags, etc... - But ever since the TSA now started taking over the whole airport and industry, things mysteriously happen with my bags - missing hats, cigars, magazines - all inor things, but they are things that make you go hmmmmmmm....

As far as the complaint, Id bypass 1600 Smith Street and go right to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and talk to them about how poor of a job they are doing. Remember, 1 security screener makes more than a First Officer who actually flies the airplane (Dont believe the myth)