Chuck Schumer Demands Airlines Pay For Lost Bags

ALBANY, N.Y. -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York says that if airlines don't start reimbursing their rising fees when passengers' bags are lost, he'll introduce a bill to force the issue.

The Democrat says that under a new rule airlines would only have to reimburse their baggage fees if the luggage is lost forever. That rule is scheduled to take effect in August.

The fees range from $25 to $100.

Schumer tells The Associated Press that airlines should voluntarily refund the fees upon request to passengers when their checked bags don't arrive when they do.

He says only a small fraction of lost bags are never returned. Most show up days later.

But if airlines don't make the move, he says, he'll introduce a bill to require the refunds.

Comments

[iridium53]

11:42 AM on 07/21/2011

Something for everyone to consider...

I run a consulting firm, everyone is on the road a lot.

Since airlines now charge for extra bags, our staff have found that it's not much more to pay FedEx or UPS to deliver baggage.
Particularly for repeated stays in the same location.
This doesn't play as well if you're moving from place to place, a day here, a day there.

Instead of traditional luggage, the staff gets very tough, waterproof, rollable cases (from manufacturers like Pelcan). They ship their luggage to themselves at the hotel.
We started using them as a means to transport what we needed for small conference meeting, and it grew from there.

Pack what you need for the first day, it arrives during the first day at the hotel - skipping all the issues of waiting at luggage pickup, tranporting, tips, etc.

These tough cases can have your name stenciled on them, are distinctive, waterproof, etc. Most hotels have a storage space for them - and when so clearly marked are unlikely to lose them. The staff seems to like the ones in yellow or orange.

Just take the FedEx or UPS paperwork with you and ship it back.

It's a little more expensive. And, it takes a little bit of planning.

But, it's insured at a value that is closer to the actual replacement cost - three good suits, shoes, ties, shirts, etc. can cost a lot...
Plus, unlike airlines, FedEx and UPS very rarely lose items.

[jeffeeew]

08:20 AM on 07/18/2011

That's just what we need to be concern with now, lost luggage.. Why not make a law requiring America where we can't spend more than we have. OH, I see, he must have lost his bags. Whine

[kejavas]

08:04 AM on 07/18/2011

when will he pay for his incompetencies

[clearmoments]

05:12 PM on 07/17/2011

No that is not what Schumer is saying at all. Another incorrect title. He would introduce a bill that make airlines reimburse the baggage fees for lost baggage, and only if the bags are lost if the airlines don't do it voluntarily. That sounds pretty obvious they should refund it, since if the customer doesn't get a bag, what service did they pay for exactly. Its not about reimbursing customers for the lost baggage, but for the handling fees.

[dhartson]

11:20 PM on 07/17/2011

As I have not looked into this, an I have no reason to doubt what you wrote! I have yet to agree what this yutz has ever done. If it is true, he needs to go like his buddy.............New York pay attention

[valeskas]

03:43 PM on 07/20/2011

What has he not done for you ?

[sgvette]

04:47 PM on 07/17/2011

It would be easier to travel if people didn't constantly try to carry on more than is allowed, and then shove their bags in sideways taking up twice as much overhead space as it's designed for. Its phenomenal how inconsiderate and selfish people are.

[ChuckPitBoss]

12:05 AM on 07/18/2011

First of all have you ever had luggage lost by the airlines? I have personally (2X) and its a real hassle. I've had had friends who have had similar losses. Secondly, if most of the airlines weren't so greedy and stopped charging flyers for checked lujggage more people wouldn't bring luggage on board. Thirdly on the 9 recent llights I've been on during the last month and a half it hasn't delayed any of the aircraft. Frankly I find it phenomonal how ignorant you are!!!!

[sgvette]

08:33 PM on 07/19/2011

What do any of your complaints have to do with what I said? What is phenomenal apparently is your lack of reading comprehension.

Are you actually defending people who carry too much on and are too stupid to load them properly? If so, fine job.

[EndTheEcho]

11:30 AM on 07/19/2011

I will agree with you about the lack of spatial relations that folks have in packing the overhead bins. I think mandatory and free Tetris games in the waiting area could be a fun solution. Planes with a 3-2 seat configuration, 20 inch carry ons should be on the 3 side, and smaller bags should start on the 2 side.

But the overall problem is created by the airline's policy to nickle and dime passengers with baggage fees. I would like to see Congress mandate that passengers be allowed one free checked luggage.

[rudewaitress]

03:21 PM on 07/17/2011

Right on Charlie. The airlines need to be held accountable and live up to their end of the bargain.

[hotspringspark]

02:59 PM on 07/17/2011

Thank God Almighty Chucky is working overtime getting er donnneeee! We are all saved now! Hip Hip Hoooraaaaa!!! I see a Nobel Peace Prize in your future Mr Chucky.

[kejavas]

08:06 AM on 07/18/2011

Glad to see he is paying attention to the highest priorities of the nation. I am sure once he gets those fees refunded, we will see the glory days of yesteryear as the economy soars. Little Chucky for emperor!

[p c r]

08:26 PM on 07/18/2011

Right. He should use a laserlike focus on important issues like the GOP-- a woman's uterus and her right to make a preivate medical decision privately.
On a state and national level, since 2011, the GOP (who swore to focus only on jobs) has put forth over 900 bills in an effort to cut funding for women's reproductive services and/or to dent a woman the right to make a private medical decision independently of governmental interference.

[LeslieBond]

02:55 PM on 07/17/2011

We should just go back to the old way of paying. The one where the airlines charged the advertised price to fly a person from point A to point B, what ever that price might be. The practice of charging by the piece, and failing to mention it upfront often times, is very off putting to many travelers.

[Gus Adaire]

02:38 PM on 07/17/2011

Go get em Chuck. That's the way for Congress to tackle the tough issues facing the US right now.

[p c r]

02:34 PM on 07/17/2011

If I am paying astronomical fees to have my bags flown with me, the airline SHOULD be responsible for getting them there-- or refund the handling fee since they mishandled the luggage. My luggage was "lost" for 3 days when I went on a cruise, and I spent about $250 to have clothing to wear on board until the bags caught up with us. The worth of what was in the bags exceeded $300/bag, and the luggage itself was not cheap-- over $100 for the empty suitcase.
The airlines act with complete disregard for their passengers. It needs to change, and if a law protecting me is required-- pass the d@mned thing now.

[vaygollybum]

04:16 PM on 07/17/2011

PLUS When they LOSE your bags they send them to Alabama and SELL THEM!?!? From what I understand if they find your name and address inside, they just shregg and go on with the inventory and sell the pieces. Even the expensive things.

[bsmith8874]

06:14 AM on 07/18/2011

Don't fly with that company, plain and simple.

[p c r]

08:27 PM on 07/18/2011

I don't, but other companies do it too.

[Bigrcube]

02:32 PM on 07/17/2011

$25-$100 per lost bag?! When did THAT happen? More fallout from airline degregulation?!

[ISitTooPee]

09:35 PM on 07/19/2011

I have one suitcase that cost $5775.00. You will give $25.00 to $100.00 I DONT THINK SO.

[airmikee99]

02:32 PM on 07/17/2011

I know quite a few baggage "throwers" that work for a nearby Delta hub. Luggage gets "lost" as often as banks "misplace" money when someone with a gun "asks" for it.

[David Hazelton]

02:28 PM on 07/17/2011

I used to love to travel, it was fun. You took a few things in a carry on bought what you wanted wherever you went, and were able to enjoy the airport people from all over the world. Now i have to arrive far in advance, feel like a lap dancer in a sailor bar, hold my stuff like it is priceless lest someone claim a bomb in my bag and blow up my socks and condoms, starve and dehydrate while I am crammed between two stinking unhygenic overtalkative garlic eating sumo wrestlers from Goatscrew Mongolia. Then the stewardess who used to look like a Playboy centerfold hacks and wheezes down the aisle with a menapausal attitude wanting to denut any poor guy who wants to use the restroom or get something from under his seat he stowed away. All whiile growing a better moustache than Groucho Marx and legs that look like a vericose semi comatose road map of the redwood forrest. I think flying is not so much fun anymore, what do you think?

[hotspringspark]

03:04 PM on 07/17/2011

I think...I think...if you are not a comedy writer, you should be. Thanks for the laugh.

[Vikki Rogers Steinrauf]

08:15 PM on 07/17/2011

F&F. If a stewardess is rude, try asking for their name. Oh yeah, they aren't allowed to even give you their first name. And did I mention their name tags are tucked into their uniforms.

[hilrbrt]

02:26 PM on 07/17/2011

Maybe we should put Weiner and Schumer into a stadium and have an obnoxious contest.....

[hotspringspark]

03:04 PM on 07/17/2011

lol

[Zebnick]

02:22 PM on 07/17/2011

Politicians like Schumer are the problem. They think it is their duty to make new laws and regulations, constantly.

[Exfl]

02:34 PM on 07/17/2011

That's right. When the airline screws up you just take them on as an individual. Let's see how much you recoup.

[Rasberry]

03:00 PM on 07/17/2011

Isn't that what the "lawmakers" are supposed to do?

[shakesome]

10:27 PM on 07/17/2011

The only laws they need to 'make' are laws that make government more accountable and more efficient. No new laws are needed that limit people's freedoms or impose more regulations on business.

And before someone goes off on the 'business' thing, I'm not just talking about fat cats and corporations; lots of regulations bind up the SMALL business owner, who is just as much 'working class' and hardworking as any laborer.