Tom
Arlington,#2Consumer Comment
Mon, July 21, 2003
First you state several issues within your report, I will address them seperately. First, the OVERSOLD FLIGHTS. All airlines routinely OVERBOOK Flights and this is jsut part of their business practices. If you dont like it, petition CONGRESS to pass legislation outlawing this & then see how much TICKET PRICES go up or the rules change to the effect of if you miss your flight your seat is gone and you will have to purchase a NEW TICKET. From your report it didnt seem that you got BUMPED or anything, so you are not ENTITLED to any compensation. With all the CHEAPO Ticket sources out there selling tickets and airlines losing money, you need to realize that OVERSOLD FLights are going to continue to happen. I would suggest that you always call the airline several days in advance & secure CONFIRMED SEATING ASSIGNMENTS. This is available unless you fly SOUTHWEST or bought your tickets thru some consoidator like PRICELINE or HOTWIRE & such. Second, LOST LUGGAGE. You need to ask them for their CONSUMER PHONE LINE & copies of their TARRIFS dealing with Lost Luggage. Also since you went out of the country, you will probably be subject to WARSAW CONVENTION LIMITS. You need to ask for copies of all of this & Demand they explain them to you. Lost Luggage happens & it is the airlines fault. The amount of Reimbursement will be determined by these documents I mentioned. So dont just take someones word and think you are going to get a NEW WARDROBE while you are on vacation, it isnt going to happen. And I will tell you that AIRLINES are not LIABLE for any Entertainment or other venues you miss because of this. They are only LIABLE for the REPLACEMENT COSTS of the lost items up to the limits as imposed by their TARRIF CONTRACT or WARSAW CONVENTION whichever is applicable. So ALWAYS carry a CARRY-ON with extra clothes, medicine & any other ESSENTIAL Items, just in case.