Caught With Your Suitcase Down?
Here's How to Recover
Introduction:
Hey everyone! This time, we're stepping away from the paint and palette to share something different—a valuable lesson that could help you or someone you know. Don't hesitate to pass along our story of a suitcase that faced a major setback.
Opening Thoughts:
We've all been there – you arrive at your destination after a long flight, exhausted and ready to start your vacation, only to find your suitcase is damaged or broken. This recently happened to us on a trip from Houston to Orlando. We learned some valuable lessons on handling this stressful situation.
What Happened:
Jon and I arrived at our hotel in Orlando at 1:30 a.m. and discovered one of our suitcases had a broken zipper. We had a shuttle to our cruise leaving at 11:45 a.m. the following morning and very little time to find a replacement. Luckily, there was a Walmart nearby that had suitcases in stock. We ordered one online for store delivery between 9 and 10 a.m. Crisis averted, or so we thought.
Lesson Learned – Check Your Luggage at the Airport:
We could have immediately filed a claim for the damaged bag if we had inspected our suitcases before leaving the airport. Most airlines have protocols in place for this situation, including providing replacement luggage. Don't make the same mistake we did – always check your bags upon arrival!
Final Thoughts:
We do have travel insurance and will file a claim at a later date, but at least Walmart takes orders at 1:30 in the morning for delivery at 9 a.m.
Best Wishes,
Ginger Cook
Professional Acrylic Artist and Educator of Acrylic Painting
It happened to me before. I was informed that I should report the incident at the Delta office before I leave from the airport. They issued the check to me for replacement
w/ o too much hassle. Since then, I took a picture, serial # etc for my luggage. It help them to figure out the amount that they issue a check. Lesson learned!
I’m not sure if this is still the case or not but if your luggage is lost or sent to a different airport and is found, the airlines used to bring it to your house. When our first exchange student came to Texas from Norway to live with us for a year, her one piece of luggage that she brought (it was really big and really full) got lost somewhere between Oslo and Houston. Not only was she in a foreign country beginning a new adventure with people she didn’t know, but now her luggage was gone. Fortunately it was found and they brought it to our house the next day. Great service.
Very good advice!!!