Jun. 25, 2008 - Wait A Minute This Is Not My Bag!

 If This is Not  My Bag then Where the Heck is Mine?

Have you ever arrived by airplane to a city and gone running up to the claim that had bags on it and just know you saw your bag.  After all how many people have have black roller bags with red ribbon's?  How many people have print bags with a piece of tape on it?  How many people have the newest color? Lime green, bubble gum pink, sapphire blue?  Or how about those new patterned bags?  Mine is unique.

I can not tell you how many times a week I hear that story as the people who have to bring back a bag they have taken that is not theirs.  But of course before that happens we have another passenger in the office that is upset their bag is not there.  So after checking the computer and seeing that their bag was indeed scanned on to the flight.  (airlines have gotten much better at scanning bags onto an aircraft. Sometimes things can still go wrong, but it is pretty good.  If there is a lot of bad weather in the station where bags are being loaded or transfered scanning sometimes goes out the window.) 

The computer has been checked and the bag should be there, our next question is "is there a bag out there that looks like yours?"  Very often yes there is.  Then starts our PI work we try and track the person down.  We find out things like how many bags did they check?  Are they traveling with anyone else?  Phone numbers, nothing is sacred  we have called wives and family members in the middle of the night where they are to get contact information.

So how do I know it is my bag even though it already looks like my bag.  CHECK YOUR BAG TAG!!!!!

You were given at your check in bag receipts.  The numbers match the tag that was put on your bag.  Your name is also on the tag.  Please before you leave the airport, check your bag tag in insure that the bag you take is your own.  It will save everyone involved a lot of time, money and trouble. 

Jun. 3, 2008 - The Good The Bad and The Ugly

The Good The Bad and The Ugly of your Luggage

Have you ever reached you destination, picked up your luggage off the claim and discovered your wheel is broken?  Or that one of the feet has been snapped off and your bag now looks like the leaning Tower of Piza?  How about this you no longer have a pull handle to wheel this piece of luggage around!  I really hate to be the one to tell you but NO MAJOR AIRLINE COVERS THESE ITEMS  along with some other things.  You should also know that inside your bag about the only thing that is covered by insurance is your clothes.  Maybe you should take the time to read the CONTRACT of CARRIAGE 
this one happens to be Continental Airlines but all major airlines have their own contract of carriage.
So why are these things not covered?  After all they were not broken when you checked in.  This is the reasoning.  A bag is meant to carry clothing from point A to point B and as long as your clothing is protected the outside of the bag is fair game.  The manufactures  can put all the do dads  they want on the outside of the bag but the airline does not have to cover it.

So the next time you are looking to purchase luggage keep these thoughts in mind. 

THE GOOD



See how  the handle zips in and so a burley ramper can not grab to fling on the claim:)
Just make sure you take the extra few seconds to actually zip it up!

STILL GOOD




The feet on this bag are not extra long and most likely will not snap off.  The wheels are inset a little the more the better on the inset.

THE BAD



Look at the feet and wheels on this bag,  The feet are  WAY to long and not only will they break but can cause damage to other bags,  The wheels have no protection at all.

STILL BAD



Just look at this handle, it is just waiting to snap off and imagine if you will the delight of
 a big ramp guy as that target is ready to fling on the moving claim:)


THE UGLY



This bag is packed so full that I am surprised it made it at all.  If your bag looks like this and there is damage to the bag or contents it is not covered.  It is called over packing a bag beyond its capacity.  I call it lack of common sense:)

Hope these tips on baggage have been helpful.  Pack smart and have a great trip.

May. 13, 2008 - Stop Thief Stop!!!!!!!!!

Stop Thief Stop

  Bag thieves roam the claim area's at airports. Are they homeless? Are they predator's?  Here at McCarran International Airport we had a crew of thieves at one time.  They even had their crew boss.  Eventually they get caught but then another bunch takes their place.  Right now we are losing about 2 bags a day to thieves. 
  I do not think the thieves realize (or maybe they would not care) how much they can impact someones life by stealing their bags.
   Yesterday a gal came in because her bag was not here.  She was trying so hard not to cry and she really held herself together.  She was here in Las Vegas to audition for America's Got Talent.
Her bag showed scanned on the flight.  It never came, and I really do believe that her bag was stolen.  The impact on her life is great and I feel so badly for her.
  Today a man came in he had a garment bag missing.  He did not fold it over because he put his pool sticks in it.  He is here in Las Vegas for a pool tournament.  Now what is he going to do?  Here he has paid to be able to play and now he has no stick and no clothes.
  I could tell you more stories but I do have a point to all of this.  When you get off the airplane head straight to the baggage service area and pick up your bags.  Do not stop and shop.  Do not stop to eat.  GO PICK UP YOUR BAGS! Try your best to beat the bags down there and be aware of the bags coming out of the chute.  Be on the side where they come out so you can grab them.  My airline is pretty fast at this station.  Our ramp has 28 minutes from the time the plane gets to the gate to get first bag up.  That does not give you much time to bring the tram over and get to the claim.  Please try your best.  Having your bag could depend on it.

Mar. 30, 2008 - Yes you can ski in Las Vegas

Yes there is snow in southern Nevada!!!

Who would even think that about 45 miles from the hear of  the Famous  Las Vegas Strip is a mountain that has snow on it and people actually ski.  If you are in Vegas and want to get out of the hustle and bustle this is well worth your drive.

Do you know the way?  Click here to get there

Dec. 27, 2007 - If You Are Coming To Las Vegas For New Years

Bringing an airplane in to Vegas
for the New Year?

If you are are planning on flying into Las Vegas for all of the New Year festivities please pack what you are going to wear out in a carry on.  If you bag gets delayed your chance of getting them back in time for the parties is not good.  The strip shuts down to allow the people to mill around in the streets.  The delivery companies can not deliver the bags.  So pack what you are going to wear and if your bag gets delayed it will be there at the hotel on New Years morning. 

Dec. 6, 2007 - Feng Shui For Travel

I was cruising around and found these Feng Shui tips for traveling this holiday. As a part ime employee for Continental Airlines in their baggage service office, I hope everyone does this. It would make my job much easier and everyone would have their bags with them.

On another note while we are speaking about bags, when you check in at the counter you are given baggage receipts thats numbers match the numbers of the tag on your bag. Also your name is also on the main tag on your bag. Please double check your numbers and name as so many of those bags look alike. It will make it more pleasant for you and I. I won't take a claim from an angry passenger and then have to track you down like Dog the Bounty Hunter. Then you won't have to make a trip back to the airport. All will be Happy!!!! Happy Holidays and Happy Traveling.

Daily Feng Shui Tip

by Ellen Whitehurst. To try best to ensure that your luggage arrives at the same destination at the same time that you do, tie nine or 18 inches of red ribbon, string, cord or thread around the handle of each individual bag. To further quell any fears that your new New Year's Eve attire is celebrating on a carousel somewhere way South of where you've literally landed, put a braid of the herb, sweetgrass, anywhere on the inside of each piece that is traveling with you. Once you return home safely and soundly you can leave the red ribbons on the bags but you should burn the sweetgrass in an attitude of appreciation and gratitude that your travels were so full of ease and grace.

Nov. 19, 2007 - Traveling this week?

If you are traveling this week

If you are traveling by air this week, be prepared for long lines at security. Please check in at least two hours before your flight so you are there in plenty of time. When you get to your destination and are picking up your bags, please double check you are taking the right bag. When you check in you are given baggage receipts that match the numbers on your bag tag. It is such a pain to take the wrong bag, get to your hotel or relatives house and have to turn around and return to the airport. Have fun but take your bag with you.

Happy Thanksgiving

Nov. 10, 2007 - What can I take on the airplane?

Traveling by airplane this Holiday Season?

To avoid not getting on the airplane this holiday season you should got to this website and check what is allowed in your carry on's. www.tsa.gov/travelers If you insist on carrying presents with you theyt can not be wrapped//your better off putting them in the mail

Dec. 12, 2006 - A Bump in your Travel Plans

Why do airlines overbook their flights?

There are three reasons for overbookings.  1. A smaller aircraft had to be put in than anticpated. 2. Weight restrictions from the FAA due to weather, heat, or other conditions and 3.  because of historical data the airline thinks a certain % of passengers are not going to show up.

Booking over capacity allows an airline to offer more flight options, with more affordablity to more customers.  An airline uses very sophisticated forecasting to estimate no shows.  Some figures I saw from one airline stated that they are usually off only by about 140 passengers a day out of more than 110,000 passengers.  Of those 140 85% took the offered incentives and went later, sometimes in first class.

If you are a volunteer, WHATS in it for YOU? Being a volunteer will get you to your destination sometimes only a couple of hours later and you will probably get a voucher for enough to pay for another trip.  If it is the last flight of the night you would also get food vouchers and hotel accommodations.  So really it can be a good deal to be a volunteer and if your plans are flexiable, let the gate agent know ahead of time that you can volunteer.  It will be much appreciated and take some of the pressure off of them.

What if you HAVE to be there?  Get seat assingments and check in as early as possible.  Many airlines now allow you to go on their website and check in 24 hours in advance.  It does make a difference especially if you are waiting for a seat assignment.

Happy Flying.

Oct. 23, 2006 - A Day At the Airport as a Passenger

It has been a long time since I have flown.  Even though I work for the airline.  Between my growing Real Estate business and working the airline part time and taking care of my mom, I just do not have time to travel around.  In fact the only reason I am sitting in the McCarren Airport right now is I have to fly up to Salt Lake City and pick up my mom and drive her back to Las Vegas.  Since I fly stand by I came to the airport this morning for the first flight to Salt Lake.  I was here in plenty of time and thought I was making pretty good time as I walked toward security.

That is where the nightmares began.  The lines were unbelievably long.  I then got herded over to another line.  I found myself in a line with the machine that x-rays the whole body.  Well it broke down after I was in this narrow space, plastic walls all around, with people backed up before me and behind.  There was no where for me to go and I am very claustrophobic.  It was a very agonizing 45 minutes.  Then I got one the other side and they chose me to have my things rummaged through(the gentleman said just step over there you have been chosen as one of the special ones.) and certain things wiped down and analyzed.  (FOR BOMB STUFF???  GUN POWDER???)  so there I was standing there with no shoes on as they took my suitcase and computer bag apart.  Needless to say I missed that first flight and the second one was full soooo here I sit at the airport waiting for the next one and unless some airline cancels a flight and moves the people over to this one I should get on the airplane.  (YEA)

You might wonder where I am going with all this, well now that I have experienced this for myself, I just want you to get to the airport AT LEAST TWO HOURS prior to you flight. 

HAPPY JET STREAMS