[Mary]

Southwest makes up for its always great flights and attendants with the people who handle their customers baggage. They never let us down. Last year, after returning from a bowling tournament, the bowling ball had a chunk out of it the size of half a golf ball. Someone must of dropped the ball bag on a cement surface which damaged the ball beyond use. Yesterday, after returning from orlando, one suitcase was put on another flight which left us at the airport for an additional hour filing notice and another piece of our luggage, which we just purchased, has three small holes in the side with one of the holes having a small rip.

Honestly Southwest, do something about these baggage handlers, at a time when so many people are unemployed, find someone who will be more responsible and not want to lose their job.

[PHXFlyer]

Was the bowing ball bag in question designed to be checked as baggage or was it the typical bag that one uses to carry it to/from the bowling alley?

As for your more recent experience, just because you purchased a bag recently doesn't guarantee it's sturdiness. New crap is still crap.

From the time you check your bag until it reaches the cart for loading onto the aircraft and vice-versa bags are sorted using the barcode on a series of belts and are directed onto the appropriate belt by heavy machinery. If a bag has a manufacturing flaw or was just shoddily manufactured to begin with, it may be damaged. Sometimes the damage is only cosmetic but sometimes handles/wheels are ripped off, zippers split, or the bag comes apart altogether.

You can't really blame the airline if you're in the habit of buying cheaply made bags. Perhaps if the manufacturer has a warranty you can get some satisfaction with them.

[airhead]

Mary: Believe me when I say, the pay that goes with the responsibility does not motivate many to care too much. Southwest may treat their employees a little better but it is still a low cost carrier. Sorry to hear about your bags.