[Mo'smom]

My friend made a comment today that it is scary that we put our lives in the hands of Delta....how true. I am missing a bag with all my clothes since 2/12. I understand this may happen, however, the miscommunication, mismanagement, that has been going on the last few days with Delta representatives is truly a joke. You never get the same "story" twice from the operators, that is if you can get through without the phone disconnecting on you constantly. I will try my best to never use this airline again. One operator told me that the baggage situation at ATL (where my bag was last scanned 5 days ago) is such a mess that I WAS LUCKY they hadn't thrown their hands up. What wonderful customer service I must say.......good thing I am so "LUCKY". The desk staff at our hotel has seen so many luggage problems that one gentleman informed us he has started sending his bags UPS when he travels. I may be following suit with that one.

[The_Judge]

Might end up being cheaper in the end and you can get a tracking number too. If the airlines were smart, they would raise the rates to check bags to astronomical levels and nobody would check bags. The cost savings on fuel alone would be worth it. Then there is the savings of agents not looking for bags and not paying a delivery service to deliver luggage to the customer. Might have been their long-term plan when airlines started to charge for baggage.

[Silent Bob]

My friend made a comment today that it is scary that we put our lives in the hands of Delta

You put your life in Delta's hands? I wouldn't limit that statement to just Delta, as clearly anytime you're up in the air your life is put in someone's hands. Don't forget to include train services, buses, taxi's, ferry boats, even elevators.

Might end up being cheaper in the end and you can get a tracking number too.

Absolutely! Then again that would mean more people would start to carry-on and we know how well that's handled.

[The_Judge]

Carryon could be handled very easily. Have it be a fineable offense TO THE PASSENGER. The problem would be solved instantaneously.

[jimworcs]

Judge,
That bags policy is already in place at the World's Worst Airline, Ryanair. If I was to book a discounted flight with them from Bristol to Milan in March, the flights for 2 people would come to £20 ($30). The cost of the bags would be £120 ($180) if each passenger took a standard 20kilos worth of luggage.
On top there would be a whole series of ridiculous fees and handling charges which would make the "discount" flight to Milan barely different from the price of a normal airline, such as Easyjet.
These punitive rates are designed to dissuade the passenger from taking bags. God help the US airline industry if they start to copy to methods of Ryanair...