An essay on losing your luggage on a holiday and how you solved the problem
Answers
You’ve just gotten off the plane and you’re in a new country, ready for a fabulous vacation! You can already imagine the awesome people you’re going to meet, the food you’re about to indulge in, maybe a few late nights and some unforgettable stories (#wanderlust). Waiting by the luggage carousel, you’re eagerly anticipating your suitcase on that carousel…time passes and the bags from your flight stop coming. An awful realization hits your jetlagged mind: my bag is missing! We know. Lost luggage is the WORST.
What to do if your bag doesn’t make it to your destination:
Stay calm
Panicking will not help you. Yes, this situation is stressful and awful, but you’re going to get through it. Chances are that your bag was simply misplaced. According to the Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques’s (SITA) 2016 Baggage Report, 79% of mishandled bags are just delayed. Another statistic reports that there is a less than 2% chance that your bag is truly lost (meaning that it’s never recovered). Take a deep breath and steady yourself. Remember also that airlines today have sophisticated methods of locating luggage. Stay calm, you’ll get through this!
Go to the baggage claim office
Go to the airport’s baggage claim office and file a report of your lost luggage. Some airlines require that you report a lost bag within a certain number of hours, so do NOT wait. Be sure to include the identification numbers from your claim tickets. Filing a report accomplishes two important things: a) it lets the airline know they need to locate your bag and b) it creates a paper trail that will allow you, if necessary, to receive reimbursement for items you purchase because of your missing bag. Ask for a copy of the report, write down the name of the person who helped you, get a follow-up phone number (useful for follow-up and updates), and hold on to your luggage tickets. Here are some important questions to ask:
Can you locate my bag?
What number should I call for updates on my missing bag?
When can I expect an update from your company about my missing bag?
If my bag is found, will your company pay to have the luggage delivered to me at my hostel/hotel?