hi folks,
i traveled recently with a friend back from india. our route was ATQ -> DEL -> JFK and then to DCA for me and RDU for him.
due to weather related delays, we missed our connection in DEL (even though we were advised that they would have the plane wait for us). i can understand that they can only hold the flight for so long. we arrived more than an hour after the scheduled departure time of the onward flight.
when we arrived at DEL, we looked into what options were available that allowed us to return on the same day. most of the flights that would have connected us through europe had already departed, and we could not get through seats on the flights that had not yet departed.
the plane that had brought us from ATQ to DEL was still on the ground, and it was going on to toronto (YYZ). they were able to provide us with seats on that flight, so we went through security and re-boarded the flight. because they were in a hurry to get us on board (the flight to YYZ was also going to be late), we didn't even know how we were going to get from YYZ to DCA and RDU. we figured, at least we'll be on the destination continent and in the destination time zone!
now, my friend had checked a bag at ATQ, and it was checked all the way to RDU.
when we arrived in YYZ, we knew the bag would not be going through. we believe it would have been off loaded at DEL because it was supposed to transferred to the flight to JFK that had already left. we looked, and it certainly did not arrive in YYZ.
because we were proceeding through canadian customs without a bag we had checked, we had to fill out a lost bag report declaring that fact.
it wasn't over there. when my friend arrived at RDU, he then had to file a claim for the lost bag.
the airline has been helpful and communicative. but they don't know where the bag is.
so, now my friend has agreed that he is going to stick to a carry on and not check bags. it's a hassle when your bag doesn't arrive with you, and more so when you are crossing international boundaries.
on a positive note, at least it happened on the way back home rather than on the way there!!
i traveled recently with a friend back from india. our route was ATQ -> DEL -> JFK and then to DCA for me and RDU for him.
due to weather related delays, we missed our connection in DEL (even though we were advised that they would have the plane wait for us). i can understand that they can only hold the flight for so long. we arrived more than an hour after the scheduled departure time of the onward flight.
when we arrived at DEL, we looked into what options were available that allowed us to return on the same day. most of the flights that would have connected us through europe had already departed, and we could not get through seats on the flights that had not yet departed.
the plane that had brought us from ATQ to DEL was still on the ground, and it was going on to toronto (YYZ). they were able to provide us with seats on that flight, so we went through security and re-boarded the flight. because they were in a hurry to get us on board (the flight to YYZ was also going to be late), we didn't even know how we were going to get from YYZ to DCA and RDU. we figured, at least we'll be on the destination continent and in the destination time zone!
now, my friend had checked a bag at ATQ, and it was checked all the way to RDU.
when we arrived in YYZ, we knew the bag would not be going through. we believe it would have been off loaded at DEL because it was supposed to transferred to the flight to JFK that had already left. we looked, and it certainly did not arrive in YYZ.
because we were proceeding through canadian customs without a bag we had checked, we had to fill out a lost bag report declaring that fact.
it wasn't over there. when my friend arrived at RDU, he then had to file a claim for the lost bag.
the airline has been helpful and communicative. but they don't know where the bag is.
so, now my friend has agreed that he is going to stick to a carry on and not check bags. it's a hassle when your bag doesn't arrive with you, and more so when you are crossing international boundaries.
on a positive note, at least it happened on the way back home rather than on the way there!!
Why? Because of gifts I'm taking plus taking gluten free food items to a colleague (his 4 year old has to have gluten free and is allergic to corn, and I don't think there's much in the way of gluten and corn free animal crackers and gummi treats available). So, wish me and my luggage safe passage!
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