And people still want to fly this POS airline all because of the bag charges? Note to frequent fliers: ranking members on the real airlines don’t pay for bags either. Fly enough segments and not only are bags free, but on real airlines you also get priority access for boarding, are eligible for upgrades to first class (something Southwest has never heard of), access to airline lounges and clubs, and more. Not to mention that Southwest’s routes are a joke. Some instances require you to take 4 planes to get between cities that any other airline would only require two. They deserve to be called a regional airline. They only serve 40 somethin’ cities, where other airlines serve that many countries.

RECAP: Southwest sucks!

ALL WAY S FLY ON ( A I R T R A N S ) NO DELAY S NO BULLSH-T
NO LIE S ALL WAY S ON TIME FRIENDLY PEOPLE

Boarded a Southwest flight from Las Vegas to Orlando the first week of September. My wife made the mistake of sitting in the last seat on the plane so that we could sit together. I made a comment to the flight attendnant that I didn’t care for their seating policies and preferred airlines that allowed pre-selection of seating. Right then she clearly decided to make my life miserable. First she said, in not so many words, that we were stupid for selecting the last seats as they were more cramped to begin with (my wife and I are not small people, not huge, but larger than average, go ahead and insert whatever smart ass fat insulting comment you care, thanks). Then, a truly huge man came down the aisle and insisted in sistting in the window seat next to my wife. We suggested he try a few rows up as the seats in our row were indeed more cramped, as the flight attendant pointed out to us. The flight attendant then chimed in that he could sit wherever he wanted to. Well, we all three could not sit together in that row, so she starts telling us one of us needs to move, so I said that I hated Southwest and their seating, so, she had a flight manager (or some such similar titled person) come remove us from the plane. Apparently, she had lied and said that I had cursed at her and threatened her to the pilot and asked that we be removed. I have never cursed at or threatened anyone, much less this stupid lady. So basically we were kicked off a flight and had to be put on a later flight, with a connection (first one was straight through), because the flight attendant was in a bad mood. The guy who escorted us off even said she was being hateful to him for no reason. This is easily the worst experience I have had flying. I will NEVER fly Southwest again, EVER!

They unloaded my Wheelchair in Reno, They said they found it in Reno,
My suitcase was no where to be found. when i talked to coustemer service they left over for me, I was surprised about that in Austin, only to find out my baggage wasn’t there. and they don’t know where it is. I’m not going say i had the Hope diamond in there. but i had leg socks 8 of them at 25.00 each and those are one of the most inportant things i need in a daily basics there for my left leg Im a BKA Below the knee amputee i lost drawings someone did of me and professional stage make up what is around 500 dollars and 2 full suits ,
plus more
i can show that i use the make up in pictures of me onstage. i hope they find it. i called them today and they didnt know where it was so they asked me what was in it. i just said the basics what i had and i said i had more in it.
so i have to be home from 5-10 pm to wait for my chair i was kinda hopeing they didnt find it i can use a newer one. a new one is over a grand for the brand of chair i had.
i flew south west 10 times or more. all of the times i flew, so i don’t fly much only to shows when the venue pays for them.

any ideas if they dont find my suitcsae what the best things to do.
peggo

SOUTHWEST 000% THEY SUCK
no business

A I R T R A N S 100% the way to go
friendly get u going cheaper then southwest
all business

Dear Mr. Kelly,

I realize that this is a lengthy letter but I want you to know the details of what I experienced when your airlines lost my bag. I know that you are a busy man but I would appreciate it if you would take the time to read my letter.

On January 13, 2009 I dropped my wife off at Southwest Airline curb service at the Portland International Airport for flight #1156 to San Diego, California, with one stop in Sacramento. While I was driving to long term parking, she checked our two bags in with the skycap, requested her wheel chair and was transported to the gate. After dropping off the car, I came back to the airport and met her at the gate. We boarded the plane about 10:20AM and departed at 10:50PM. We flew to Sacramento, where we remained on the plane and then flew on to San Diego. When we landed in San Diego, a wheelchair was waiting for my wife and the gentleman that was pushing the chair told us that he was going to take us on a short cut to baggage claim. When we arrived at the baggage claim carasoul, it was not turning and I noticed on the reader board that I was at the correct carasoul, for flight #1156. The conveyer belt started and my wife’s bag was the first one out and I remained at the carasoul until all of the bags were out. My bag never came out. I then went to other carasoul’s to check for my bag and it was no where to be found. I when to the Southwest Baggage office, which is right next to the carasoul and told them that my bag was missing and they told me to go back to the carasoul to check for my bag and that sometimes there are delays in putting the bags on the carasoul, after an airplane lands. I stayed out by the carasoul for another one-half hour and nothing. I then went back to the South West Baggage office and told them that I wanted to file a claim. I told them that I couldn’t believe that they could possibly loose my bag on a direct flight from Portland, with a stop over in Sacramento. The lady that I spoke with was a bit sharp with me, with her tone of voice but I decided that I should just file the claim and hopefully my bag would arrive in a few hours or so. I completed a Lost/Delayed Report Receipt, report no. 1002535832 at 14:12, bagtag, PDXT556450. I told the lady that my sleep apnea equipment was in my bag and that it was very important for me told have this equipment, each night. I also told her that this was the first time that I had ever checked my apnea equipment in my bag and that it was based on the fact that it was a direct flight. I have flown several times in the past few years and I have always carried my equipment, especially, non-direct flights. I was told that they would be searching for my bag and that they would deliver it to the hotel where we were staying at in San Diego, when they found it. They also told me that this happens on occasion and that most of the time, they find the baggage.

My wife and I flew to San Diego for a church meeting with the Presbyterian Church’s, Self Development of People. We checked into our room at the Town and Country Resort and I called the (888)202-1024 number on the lost/delayed report to find out about my bag. . I was told that it hadn’t been found and they were sure that they would find it soon and would have it delivered. I called the front desk to find out find they had any shaving gear and tooth paste and brush and they delivered it to my room. I wore a sweat suit and tennis shoes and I am now, without any other clothing and I have meeting the next day. I called the (888) around 9:00PM and still no bag. This would be the first night in about eight years that I wouldn’t be using my apnea equipment.

The next morning, January 14th, I called the (888) and still no bag. I went to the church meetings and told everyone about the lost bag and that I didn’t usually attend church meeting in a sweat outfit. This was on January 14th. The members of the church committee told me that they would be praying for my bag and especially my sleep apnea equipment. I told the lady that I didn’t have any other clothing or shaving gear and I was told to go out and purchase it, keep receipts and that I would be reimbursed by the Southwest Baggage office, before I departed from San Diego. I took a cab to Target and to JCPenney’s, which cost me $8.00 and purchased the lease expensive dress pants, $10.00 each, three shirts for $5.00 each, socks, shoes and shaving gear, items that I needed for the week and for the meetings. I called the (888) again in the PM and still no bag. I told the lady about my sleep apnea equipment and she told me that I could call Medical Rental Company in the San Diego area and that they rented sleep apnea equipment. I called the company and told them about my problem and was told that they were not equipped to feed the equipment with my specific data. Well, that wouldn’t help. The lady also told me that she had sent (3) emails, one to Portland, one to Sacramento and on to San Diego, asking them to check their baggage lockers and the she should receive feedback from them in a short period of time.

The next morning, January 15th, I called the (888) number and was told that my bag was still missing and I told the man that I thought it would be important for them to know the content of my bag. He agreed and I gave him a description of the clothing, shoes, apnea equipment, my wives hats, socks, and etc. He told me that it was a good idea for them to know that information, just in case, all of the tags were pulled off. This man was probably the most helpful and understanding. He told me that Sacrament and San Diego had gotten back with him with emails stating that they didn’t have my bag and that Portland didn’t respond. He told me that he was going to send another email to Portland. In fact, during the entire time that I was in San Diego, your Portland baggage claim office never responded to any of the emails regarding my lost bag. Most of the people that I spoke with at the (888) could have cared less. I understand that this is an answering service that Southwest using with missing baggage and I was told at the Southwest Baggage Claim office that they didn’t think that this was a good idea to have, someone outside of Southwest, handle the calls and that all of it was based on them, the (888) people, calling baggage claim. The man told me that they were looking for my bag and that it would be delivered as soon as they found it. Several church people and employees, namely the front desk people at the Resort, couldn’t believe that Southwest had lost my bag, in that it was a non-stop flight. (So to speak).

I spoke with the Resort’s Consigner and told her about by lost baggage and she told me that she would do some tracking for me. I gave her all of my flight information and she told me that she would look into it and would get back with me. She called me that afternoon in my room and gave me the bad news. Southwest Airlines doesn’t have a tracking system for baggage. What! She told me that she called your airlines and told them about my situation and was told that they didn’t have a tracking system and the Consigner told the Southwest employee, “then you don’t know if the bag ever made it to the plane in Portland” and she said, “yes”. I was shocked. I guess I assumed that every airline had a tracking system. With all of the latest technology and companies striving to “Satisfy Customers” I would have thought that your airlines had a tracking system. So what is to prevent a skycap or a TSA employee from stealing a bag, before it goes to the plane? If they aren’t tracked, then it is an open field.

I called the (888) again and voiced my complaint and was told that they were only an answering service for Southwest and that if I wanted to; I could call the main baggage office in Dallas, Texas and talk to them. I called the 214.792.4223 and spoke with a lady that “could have cared less about my bag”. Nothing about, sorry about you bag, we are looking for your bag, or anything that was reassuring about my bag. She told me to call, 214-792.7900 and I received about the same treatment. Perhaps you could have a training session with all of your personnel that have to do with lost or missing baggage, at a central location in the US, that have them fly to the destination, and when they check into the hotel, you purposely take their luggage and store it for several days, so that they discover what it is like to be without their clothing and other necessary items. Perhaps they would have more empathy for the passengers who lose their luggage or it is missing. Harrison Ford starred in a movie several years ago and had his staff in hospital beds for several days and wanted them to experience what it is like, being in a bed at the hospital. It was a true story and it was successful.

It is now, January 16, and I called the (888) again and was told that they were still looking for my bag. I can’t believe it. It has now been 3-1/2 days and they still haven’t found my bag. I attended several church meeting during the day and at each meeting, I am asked, “Have they found your bag” and my reply is “No”. Well, we will keep praying for your bag”. It is now around 7:00PM and I called the (888) again and I am told that they had found my bad and that it would be delivered that evening. I was so excited. I asked that lady, ‘Where did they find it and she told me that she didn’t know that information”. I was elated. My wife was in a meeting and I went into the meeting room and told her that they had found my bag and she was not only, excited but the entire room explored with, “Amen’s”, “Glory Halleluiah” and more. That night, I went to bed, knowing that my bag had been found and that they would be delivering it, soon. I woke up several times during night and was wondering, “Where is my bag?”

It is now, January 17th, and I called the (888) and told them that me bag wasn’t delivered and was told that it was a mistake. That they hadn’t found my bag and that the lady that told me about the bag didn’t have all if the information about the bag and that she shouldn’t have told me that it had been found. I am dumfounded! You are kidding? No, it was a mistake. Unbelievable. My wife was in the room when I was told this information and she, couldn’t believe it. “Why in the world would they tell you that they found the bag, when in fact, I hadn’t been found?” I told her, “That’s it with Southwest Airlines”. They don’t have a baggage tracking system and they don’t have a good follow-up system regarding, lost baggage. We went to some meeting and I told them about the bag and they were, again, shocked. You are kidding! “No”. We are so sorry.

It is now, January 18th and still no bag. I called the (888) and was told that they still hadn’t found my bag. I told them that I was leaving the Resort and going home and if or when they found my bag to contact me at my home phone. When I arrived at the airport, I went directly to you baggage claim area and spoke with Bruce. He told me that they had found a bag in Ft. Meyers, Fl. with some sleep apnea equipment and told me that he was going to follow-up on the bag. He placed several calls and was not able to get through to anyone. He went on to tell me that the equipment was in a separate bag and I told him that my equipment was packed in my bag and it wasn’t separate. I then presented my receipts for clothing and shaving gear and the total came to $150.00 for items that I needed during the week. I told Bruce that I found the least expensive clothing and shaving gear that I could find. He and an associate looked at the list and told me that they allowed only $50.00 and I told them that there was no way so cover what I needed for the meetings and basic survival, during my stay. The lady called a supervisor and it was authorized to pay me the $150.00. I am attaching a list of items that I purchased for my stay. This was the happiest moment that I have had, regarding this awful experience. I thanked both of them and told them that I could be reached at home at 1.800.818.7862 or 503.824.4700. As of this date, February 3, I have not heard anything from Southwest Baggage.

When we arrived at the Portland Airport, I went directly to the Southwest Baggage Claim with my lost baggage report and asked a lady to look at the bags that were in storage, which they did and told me that me bag wasn’t there. A male Southwest employee came in and I told him about my lost/ stolen luggage and brought up the fact that my bag had either been misplaced or stolen and he said, “What do you mean stolen”. I told him in the fact that you don’t have a tracking system to track bags that it would be easy for a skycap or a TSA employee to steal the bag and he became offensive and said, “I don’t think so” and I replied, “Then were is my bag” and he walked away.

I follow-up on the 19th and called the Kaiser Pulmonary Department and told my doctor about the lost bag and the apnea equipment and told him that I had been off of the machine for almost a week and he was, very upset. I told him about the situation regarding the Medical Equipment Company in San Diego and he told me to come in and pick up a loaner. I went in that morning and picked up a loaner to use until I am reimbursed for the machine that was lost or stolen. I am attaching a letter from Kaiser, showing the amount it will cost me to have it replaced.

I sent all of the information that I was told to send to Southwest Airlines, Central Baggage Services, P O Box, 36663, Dallas, Texas, 75235-1663. I received the letter from Southwest regarding the Passenger Property Loss Claim and I am in the process of filling it out and I am also attaching a copy of the completed, Description of Luggage, Contents and Value which I am sending in today’s mail. In the cover letter it states that receipts might be requested and most of the items that I have listed, we paid cash. So there is no way that I can produce receipts for clothing and other items that were in my bag. The main item that I need is the sleep apnea equipment.

I have filed a stolen property report with the Portland Police Department because I think that my bag was stolen in Portland, before my flight to San Diego. In the State of Oregon it is a felony if the property is more than $250.00 and the Police Department is going to investigate the situation. They told me that they were going to look into other incidents at the Portland airport regarding missing baggage and Southwest Airlines.

A couple of other ideas as to, as to what happened to my bag. It was on the plane to San Diego and when we stopped in Sacramento, someone in baggage, mistakenly took my bag from the airplane and sent it somewhere else or stole it or took it from the plane and stole it. When we landed in San Diego, someone in baggage mistakenly took my bag from the plane and sent it somewhere else or stole it.

I am attaching letters that I found in the Internet from Southwest customers regarding their treatment they have received in the past and many situations about lost luggage. Time and time again, customers are arriving at destinations, and are on non-stop flights and there bags are missing. They then go on to say how they were treated and it sounds very similar to the way that I was treated. “Without Respect”. I don’t know if you have read any of these complaints but I think it might be a good idea to read some of them. An eye opener.

I am attaching some information about my wife and myself to let you know more about our background:

“ABOUT US”
Both George and I are in our late-sixties and we started “Held’s Discount Knives” in 1997. We started selling both Puma Knives and Coast Cutlery Products at Gun and Knife Shows throughout the Pacific Northwest and at shows in Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee. We also sold our products at the O’loughlin’s Sportsmen’s Shows in the Pacific Northwest. Our business grew rapidly and we decided to sell our products on the Internet. We started selling our products in our web store, http://www.pumaknives.com and over the years we have established any excellent selling reputation throughout the United States and on an International bases.
We take great pride in “Customer Satisfaction” and strive to process your product orders in a very timely manner and we have super fast shipping.
I am a Native American, a registered member of the Winnebago Tribe and I am a retired registered nurse. I grew up in Oregon, attended Willamette University in Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon Nursing School. George also grew up in Oregon and I graduated from Lewis and Clark College, where I played football, baseball and was on the wrestling team. Upon graduation, I played professional baseball with the Cincinnati Reds Organization for two years, was a high school teacher and coach and was a motivational speaker for Motivation Unlimited. George and I are high school sweethearts.
We have a farm in Oregon, which is located on the edge of the Mt. Hood National Forest, where we raise horses, buffalo, cows, chickens, dogs, cats and rabbits. We have five adult children; two sons who are Portland Firefighters, a son that is a Major in the Army, a daughter who is a Nurse Practitioner and another daughter who owns a computer company.
We are members of the West Linn Presbyterian Church, members of the Oregon Duck Hunter’s Association, and members of the Native American Chamber of Commence, Ducks Unlimited and Northwest Steelheaders.
I am 68 years old and have been diagnosed with major depression and I am taking medication for this everyday. An experience like the one that I encounter with your airline, certainly doesn’t help my mental condition and the lady that told me that my bag had been found and to find out that it was a mistake was awful. On top of the events during the week in San Diego and not being on the apnea equipment, it has been very trying for me. A trip to Kaiser for the apnea equipment, then the papers arrived from the passenger property loss claim department and I have spent hours, with me wife, trying to determine the dates that we/I purchased the items and trying to remember the original costs. In addition to my items, my wife didn’t have enough room in her bag so she put four of her dress hats in my bag, hats that she always wears to church meetings. I had a baseball cap in my lost bag that I received in 1964 when I was trying out in spring training with the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Team. Several of the church members wanted to see it so I packed it in my bag. What is the value for something like this? I have no idea, but I put down, $65.00 and I know the value is priceless. Plus, to replace the sleep apnea equipment from Kaiser, they are going to charge me $986.00 for the machine and $223.00 for the mask.

Thanks for reading my letter,

George Held
PO Box 515
Colton, Oregon 97017