[Riggmaster]

I boarded a US Airways plane in SEATAC International Airport on April 20, 2010, Flight #576. I was assigned seat number 5A and this seat does not have a seat in front of it.
When I boarded the plane, I put my wallet, phone and cousin’s phone in my carry-on.

It seems that US Airways passengers choose not to check their luggage through because of the fee, which overfills the overhead storage areas. When I couldn’t find an overhead compartment for my carry-on, a flight attendant told me that they would have to take it. During this rush of boarding and taking off on time, I failed to think of my wallet other valuables in this carry-on. Let me say that when I travel, my carry-on contains the most important things that I cannot live without. In this case, my wallet, 2 cell phones, my passport, watch, all tickets and information for traveling, glasses, etc.

I was given a hand written baggage claim tag and took my seat. When I landed in CLT, I presented my claim tag to the flight attendant. She informed me that this carry-on was checked in as baggage and that my bag would be there for me at JFK. I had to switch planes to continue my journey to JFK. Upon arrival at JFK, this carry-on was not there. I immediately informed the Delayed Baggage Representative for US Airways.

I traveled to my destination at The Ritz Plaza in Manhattan and could not check in because I did not have identification or credit card used to make the reservation. A friend of mine allowed me to come to his apartment to use his phone. I immediately started calling US Airways to inquire about my bag. After several hours, calling US Airways every hour, I felt that I would be walking around the streets of New York without a home and with no identification or money.

The first time I called, they informed me that my bag was still in Seattle. I had to call every hour to check on the status of the bag. Status varied from “still in Seattle”, “no record of it”, and “we will send it through on Delta Airlines”.


I received my carry-on bag in the early morning of April 21, 2010. When I opened it, I noticed that all of my cash (more than $400) and my Seiko watch ($240) were gone. The contents of my bag were messed up meaning that the entire bag was checked.

I blame US Airways for the unprofessional handling of my bag.
1. They forced me to hand them my carry-on.
2. The carry-on was never put on the plane I flew on.
3. It took about 18 hours to finally get my bag.
4. US Airways baggage handlers STOLE my money and watch.
5. I had to cancel my passport, credit and debit cards because US Airways employees went through my wallet.
6. I had to notify my employer (Federal Government) that my government ID was compromised.
7. I could not stay in the lodging that I had already paid for ($265).
8. I had to impose on a friend for lodging the night of the 20th and money. I slept on a couch because I could not check in to my lodging (NO MONEY, NO CREDIT CARD, NO DEBIT CARD, and NO IDENTIFICATION).

The way I see it, US Airways owes me $640.00 and $265 for the wasted lodging reservation. US Airways need to change the way they do business by screening passengers at the gate for what they are bringing on the plane. If a bag needs to leave the plane and be checked through as baggage, US Airways has to make sure they put the bag on the plane. AND check on their employees who STEAL!

Again, I DID NOT pack my personal items in my baggage to check through. I was FORCED to give my carry-on to the flight attendant. I NEVER knew that my carry-on was being checked through as baggage. My cash and watch were STOLEN by US Airways employees.