2007-01-08 02:55:38 · 14 answers · asked by Sabrina C 1 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Yes, it is quite possible for an airline to lose your luggage on a direct flight, unfortunately. Luggage handlers have approximately 30 minutes from the time the airplane pulls into the gate, until it is ready to go back out on to its next destination.
There is a system that is used to try to keep bags from being lost or delayed; local bags (direct flight) go into one spot, and transfer bags (connections) go into another spot. There is various cargo (mail, air shipments, COMAT - company materials, COMAIL - company mail), as well, and that usually goes into yet another spot.
The ways that I have personally seen bags be lost is:
1. Mistagged bags (somehow, the ticket counter applies a label with the wrong airport code on it).
2. Security screening (bag gets held up during security screening, and somehow misses your flight).
3. Ground handler error (local bag gets put into transfer bag cargo; bag gets left on luggage cart or belt loader, and stays behind; bag doesn't get picked up by ground handler in time to make the flight; gate checked bag - luggage that can not be accomodated on the aircraft due to lack of overhead bin space - stays on the jetway).
4. Miscellaneous (luggage label comes off of handle, other problems with actual piece of luggage that happens during transfer).
From the time that you check in for your flight and your luggage goes on its journey, it is handled repeatedly by many different people. The more people that handle your luggage, the more chances there are that your luggage will somehow go astray. Usually the airline is very prompt at locating your luggage and getting it back to you.
2007-01-08 04:08:53 · answer #1 · answered by Fabulous Flight Attendant 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible for the luggage to get lost no matter what type of flight you have; connecting, nonstop, or direct. Sometimes the tags get torn off and the luggage will be put on the wrong flight and sometimes the baggage handlers misread one of the airport letters and sends the bag on the wrong flight. Usually, once a complaint is made, the airlines will get your bags back to you later in the day or the next day.
As for myself, I have only ever had baggage get lost during connecting flights. That is why I try to fly nonstop as much as possible. Reckon there is a first time for everything though.
2007-01-08 11:38:00 · answer #2 · answered by ironchain15 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible although less likely. I flew almost 100 times this year, and my luggage was lost on nonstop flights 2 times (coincidentally, they were the only 2 times I flew United Airlines this year, which is the worst. Usually I fly American Airlines or USAirways). But anyway.... yes it is possible that they will get put on the wrong flight. One time I was flying to Washington DC and my suitcase went to Houston; another time I was going to San Francisco and my suitcase went somewhere else I don't remember.
2016-05-23 10:23:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's possible.
Also, airlines are paid to transport packages for FedEx, UPS, etc. and they only have so much luggage capacity. If they fill up on stuff they're being paid to carry, they will send your luggage on a later flight and tell you there was a "mishap" of some sort.
2007-01-08 03:06:25 · answer #4 · answered by Lucie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I just had it happen on a direct flight from Phoenix to Houston. I checked in two hours early and about 20 of us (those of us who checked in early) had our luggage sent to Newark instead. We actually got punished for checking in early! Luckily they found it about 12 hours later, but I wasn't pleased to say the least. Continental has lost my luggage each time I've flown with them in the last three years.
2007-01-09 06:02:06 · answer #5 · answered by hotdoggiegirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course the airline can lose you luggage on ANY kind of flight. Your best bet from here on out...spend the money and fly privately! :) Lear jets will get you there quicker, and never lose your luggage!
2007-01-08 03:00:15 · answer #6 · answered by Katie M 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yeah...by not putting it on the correct flight in the first place (almost happened to me leaving Orlando last year).
Ahh...if only we all had the money to book private jets...
Okay, sorry, back to reality now.
2007-01-08 03:03:30 · answer #7 · answered by Sunidaze 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The late but not so great America West did it once and I had checked in 2 hours prior to boarding.
2007-01-08 03:00:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately yes.
2007-01-08 22:32:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes very...but don't worry the airline usually finds it very quickly, although you may have to complain to them first
2007-01-08 02:57:58 · answer #10 · answered by Joel C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋