Damaged luggage

I had an ex-EU on Monday (DUB-LHR-EWR). Upon arrival at EWR, I was notified by a VS representative that my bags didn't make the connection, and they would be arriving the next day.

The bags were eventually delivered to me, but one of them had been smashed open with bolt-cutters (even though the bags were, er, unlocked)! Nothing was missing inside, so I assume this was some kind of security issue at LHR because the delayed bags were were flying unaccompanied.

Despite the baggage having BA tags (I was on a BA flight ex-DUB), VS dealt with it very promptly (a cash settlement was offered within 24 hours) and didn't try to redirect me to BA.

Overall I was quite impressed with how VS dealt with this. It's hard to know whose fault it is, so I'm glad they took responsibility without question.

Very reassuring indeed. But why cut them open with bolt cutters, especially if they were unlocked. It also makes a mockery of choosing TSA locks as many pax do now because security agents can unlock them. Glad it as sorted though.

I know! I guess they just have to rush through the bags. The only genuinely worrying thing (for all Ex-EU addicts out there) was that the VS agent said there had been 'problems' with T5-to-T3 checked luggage transfers at LHR recently. If by 'problems' he meant bags missing connections then getting ripped open for security reasons, then, er, yes that *is* a 'problem'!

Delayed luggage is bad enough but destruction of the case is even worse. I suspect they do not even conider this is someones property, just a security threat to them.

Glad to hear they were efficient in reimbursing you and hope you get a nice new case

Glad to hear they were efficient in reimbursing you and hope you get a nice new case

The amusing thing was that they went into great detail about how depreciation would be applied to the purchase price depending on the year of purchase... then didn't apply any depreciation!

There must be an issue with the transfer of bags from T5 to T3 because mine didn't make it either last month

It is likely that the bags were damaged at EWR rather than LHR because the US CBP examine bags like this more thoroughly and my bag tags had extra stickers on indicating this. They also undid the coloured straps I have on the outside but to be fair they did put them in the bags so they wern't lost

I too found VS prompt in paying once I made the claim for 'essentials' - within a couple of days of them phoning me. Would have been sooner but I put a '-' in my email address instead of a '_' in the letter I sent with the receipts !

It is likely that the bags were damaged at EWR rather than LHR because the US CBP examine bags like this more thoroughly and my bag tags had extra stickers on indicating this.

Did you find a leaflet from CBP left in your bags, tontybear? My guess that my bags were opened at LHR was because there was no CBP leaflet. Every time CBP has gone into my bags in the past (to my knowledge, of course), they've left that blue leaflet.

I had these extra tags added to my bags (presumably at LHR):

Green tag
tag.jpg (315.59 KiB) Viewed 1438 times

The T5-T3 xfer issue is a bit worrying. I'd left a nice long gap (four hours!) between flights to enjoy the CH too, so I wonder what's going on.

It also makes a mockery of choosing TSA locks...

Er, yes!

Broken lock
lock.jpg (263.65 KiB) Viewed 1438 times

There were some stickers on the baggage tag but no leaflet.

I think you only get a leaflet when exiting the US not on arriving- if they wanted to examine someones bags on arrival they'd do it after baggage claim.

As to the green tag - no idea what Bag for ID means.

Selectee = probably SSSS'd on the boarding pass, so don't load the bag until we have screened their carry-ons at the gate & know they are on the flight.

NRSA = Non Revenue Space Available. Self explanatory, only load the bag when you know the passenger is on the flight.

I had these extra tags added to my bags (presumably at LHR):

tag.jpg

The T5-T3 xfer issue is a bit worrying. I'd left a nice long gap (four hours!) between flights to enjoy the CH too, so I wonder what's going on.

AFAIK there are no official issues with baggage transfers T5-T3, well, BA have no reported problems. That label looks like Virgin decided not to load the bag for some reason?

It also makes a mockery of choosing TSA locks...

Er, yes!

lock.jpg

Well if it was opened in the UK, they wouldn't have access to the TSA key? So would have to break lock is requiring entry.