What Happens When Your Bag Misses Your Flight?

The nightmare of your bag not making it with you to your final destination is very real. Twice in my life, my bag did not make it on the flight with me.

For those that have not had this experience, count yourself lucky. It is not that uncommon for your luggage to not make it, especially when you have a lot of connections.

Waiting In Vain At The Carousel

Unlike Logan’s Run, the carousel at baggage claim is the least glamorous part of most airports. Everyone is standing around playing the waiting game before their bag appears and off they run.

Seeing the bags go round and round with your item not appearing is quite disappointing. In my case, not too surprising as my itinerary comprised of four back to back sectors. What do you do next?

Lost Bag Desk

Perhaps even lower on the glamour stakes is the lost baggage desk. An attendant usually sits there looking like they wished they were anywhere but there. You rock up and announce your luggage appears to be lost.

Boarding passes and your bag tag are checked and typing happens on the computer. In this instance, my bag was instantly located. “It’s in Doha” – probably enjoying the warm weather!

Next, you complete a form with your address and phone details and told it will be delivered the next day or the day after.

Delivery Day

In the morning, the lost luggage desk call to ask what time suits for delivery and later on a courier comes out to your house with your missing piece. You sign the form and you are reunited with your lost loved one.

Happily, everything is usually intact and you can begin the long process of unpacking after a long trip. My item on this occasion had come via London so I am assuming it went on a direct flight and then connected all on its own.

Overall Thoughts

My previous lost bag procedure was the same. I was not surprised that time as the luggage tag was badly printed so I expected an issue. Same in this instance as my connection was at the minimum and it just was not loaded in time.

I find the whole process to be very painless. Fill in a form and wait and then it is delivered to your door. It’s great you don’t have to go to the airport to retrieve it.

Thanks for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image via the oneworld alliance.