[Riggmaster]

This is what I sent US Airways with a copy to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division at the DOT.



Robert Davis
Central Baggage Resolution Office
US Airways
4000 E. Sky Harbor Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Dear Mr. Davis:
I recently had an extremely upsetting and very costly experience with your airline regarding items stolen from my carry-on bag. I requested compensation from US Airways for my losses.
In a reply dated April 29, 2010, I was told by you that US Airways is unable to compensate for Currency and Jewelry, as it is among those items excluded from coverage per your Terms of Transportation. Included with this letter were the US Airways Baggage Claim Limits and Procedures.
US Airways Baggage Claim Limits and Procedures pertain to checked baggage. Again, I did not check my bag as “baggage”. This was my carry-on bag that was taken from me by the flight attendant. US Airways allow passengers to bring multiple, large items into the plane. The airlines did not ask passengers to put some items under the seat in front of them. I would have done so, but I was seated in row 5, which has no passenger seat in front (bulkhead seat). At no time was I aware that my bag would ever leave the plane.
When I landed at CLT, I asked the flight attendant for my bag. She informed me that she checked it through as baggage and I would get it at my final destination, JFK.
Upon arrival at JFK, my bag was nowhere to be found. I immediately filed a claim with the Delayed Baggage Representative for US Airways at JFK, file #********. Later when I called US Airways, I was told that my bag was still at SEATAC, my original departing city. I was required to call them every hour to check on the bag. Imagine yourself, a stranger in New York City, no wallet, no phone, no money, no credit cards, and no identification.
I finally received my bag early the next morning. Items in my bag were in different locations than I had put them in. More than $400 cash and my $240 Seiko watch were gone. I could not check-in to my hotel because I did not have identification or credit cards/
Your letter also stated, “This is not the impression we wish to convey or the level of service we strive to provide. Information regarding our baggage service is valuable to us and will be used as a tool for continuous improvement”. A US Airways employee opened my bag and went through it. A US Airways employee went through my wallet and stole over $400 cash. A US Airways stole my Seiko watch. I truly believe that US Airways owe me more than $640 plus $265 for the prepaid hotel reservation (where I could not check in to).
The US Airways Baggage Claim Limits and Procedures addresses checked baggage. Does US Airways have a procedure for taking a carry-on bag off a plane without the passenger’s knowledge? Does US Airways have a procedure keeping a passenger’s bag at the airport and not placing it on the plane the passenger is flying on? Does US Airways have a procedure for their employees going through passengers bags and stealing items from them? How can this theft be used as a tool for continuous improvement?
Again, US Airways owe me over $905 that their employees stole from my carry-on bag. You may call me at ***-***-**** for any further questions.
Sincerely,


ATTN: Central Baggage Resolution Office
Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590