[yy89]

Does anyone know the united baggage claim process? I spoke to their "missing items from baggage" line, I was told that I would be compensated for my loss within 8 weeks. Do they honor this? Are they credibile? Or do I need to contact all the airports, and begin filling small claims courts... etc.

Heres what happened for those interested to know:

The night before:

Packed my bags as per usual. All my lens were wrapped in a t-shirt to prevent damage and to avoid prying eyes.

App. 10:15am 9/11/12: I was one of the last to board flight UA549T from Buffalo to Chicago (ORD). The plane was full, at the gate they asked me to check in my bag. I declined because my bag was a back pack and I carried my camera equipment (total value inside my bag at cost was app. $10000USD incl laptop etc). When I got to my seat which was at the back, they told me the same thing, and if that I could not put it under my seat I would have to check it in. Even though it was a back pack, it was very large and definitely would not fit under the seat (I know from experience, and the contents of my bag were not flexible). I reluctantly handed over my bag for check in with the expectation that it would be brought back to gate as we arrived.

App. 11:30am: Arrived Chicago, did not see my bag at gate, asked united personnel standing there where my bags were, told me to claim from baggage carousel 6. Thought it was weird for them not to tell me prior, but went anyway. Waited at carousel 6, saw checked in carry on that belonged to another passenger, thought mine would come. Didn't come after waiting for 10 minutes. Spoke to united employee, did not know. Spoke to another united employee. Told me my back was checked to Seattle. My boarding pass was still in my camera bag, so I had to reprint the boarding pass, but it would not let me as it was too close to departure. Got united employee to print stand by boarding pass for next flight so I could clear security and try to catch it. Unfortunately, watched it taxi off from gate. That was flight UA985 which I missed, but my bag did not.

App. 12:30pm: called united baggage services to tell them that my bag was arriving before me and that it contained valuables, I specifically requested that it be picked up for safekeeping. I was assured that a notification had been sent.

App. 3:10pm:I boarded flight UA819Y as standby.

App. 530pm: Arrived Seattle. I get to baggage as quick as I can, spoke to united representative, brings me to my bag. I open and check for my contents, and everything appeared to be there, t-shirts were there. Did notice zipper moved.

App. 8:30pm: Arrive home. Did not unpack, as it was 11:30pm eastern time, just showered, ate something and slept.

Next day (9/12/12): Went to get a shirt from my bag. My t-shirt came out. My lens did not. This happened to two of my lens. One Carl Zeiss and one Nikkor. The Nikkor had been inside a lens sleeve, and a t-shirt. The lens sleeve and t-shirt both remain.

Within 10 minutes of discovery, I get online with united (the 10 minutes was to turn on my computer and search their number online): I was polite and told them what happened. The united representative said that they were not liable as I did not report the incident at the airport and they would just give me a report number. I was less polite as I told them my packing process and whether they expected me to unpack each article of clothing at the airport. He continued to try to brush me off. I told him to transfer me to a manager or supervisor. I was put on hold. I did not get to speak to the manager, but he said that they were responsible and I just needed to file a claim form, and that they will investigate. If nothing is recovered, I will be compensated. I was given a number for the phone call report.

So for anyone still reading, does anyone know my likely outcome? Do I need to file police reports? If this method of recovery is not successful, what other options do I have? My at cost loss for both lens is around $3000 USD. Luckily my camera and laptop were not stolen, possibly because those items were too big.

So, all in all, I was given misinformation by incompetent united employee, that made me miss my flight, and then stolen from united language handlers.

Thanks.