Has anyone had an “issues with your baggage” text and got their bags?

[PissyMum]

I’ve just received a text to say that there is a problem with loading my baggage and it may not arrive at my destination with my plane. I’m going to the Caribbean with dc, an absolutely massive holiday that I’ve been saving up for years for and planned stuff for everyday of our trip.

I stupidly only put one spare set of contact lenses in my hand luggage. My glasses and all other contact lenses are in my main bag. I’m very short sighted and have booked a hire car so we can drive to all the sights. Except I won’t be able to see. Even if I scrap off the hire car I won’t be able to watch dc at the pool safely or even find my way around the hotel 😭. I could cry. I’m not on the plane yet and have asked a few other people on my flight but no one else has received this message, it’s just me.

Do you think there’s any hope of it turning up with the plane? There’s only one flight a week to this destination so if it isn’t with this plane I can’t see it arriving at all. I can buy new clothes and wash stuff, it’s a pain but it’s doable. I can’t believe I’m stupid enough to have only packed one spare set of contact lenses

My DM didn't get a text but her bag didn't appear when she landed in the carribean. She had basically nothing with her. The airport found it a few days later and put it in a taxi and sent it to the wrong hotel on the other side of the island it was a real pain.

Where exactly are you going? Sounds like Grenada or somewhere if there's only one flight a week. I've no idea but could you find an optician there and get some emergency contact lenses/glasses yo tide you over and claim on your insurance?

My bag was forgotten on a holiday once. It was actually brilliant because the airline insurance pays for anything you need there - so I ended up with almost a new wardrobe and it was all covered under their insurance.

If you’re able to find an optician on the island then this would likely also be covered under the airlines insurance.

Check, but don’t panic yet!

If you're still at the airport can you get a couple of pair of cheapy glasses from boots/whsmith?

Yes, when you arrive find out what's happening and if bag is not there then go to the optician for a new pair of glasses and the airline will be liable under (iirc) Montreal convention, up to €1300
Make sure you take a photo /copies of the documentation they give you at the airport.

Never had a text, but have had several bags not make the plane. They generally turn up on the next flight. Which for you could be an issue....
Find out what you need to do before you leave the airport in terms of receipts and claiming things.
Definitely check the glasses situation - although I suspect that is going to be your biggest headache. Could someone courier a pair from home to you quicker than the luggage will arrive?

Yes, and the case arrived the next day.

Mind you that was on a busy route, I don't think it was on my plane. So not helpful in your case, sorry!

Insurance to get replacements locally or have some couriered to you - wherever you usually get lenses from can probably courier them to you for additional cost, but you could probably claim it back.

Your luggage might be sent on on a cargo plane rather than the next passenger flight btw.

Going to the Cayman Islands. I’m on the plane now but managed to run to Boots to get toothbrush, paste, hairbrush, sun cream and shampoo. It was about the fourth Boots we’d walked past and I said to dc I wondered who went to that one instead of any of the previous three. Then I get the text of doom and ten minutes later I’ve spent another £40 in there 🤦‍♀️

My 9yo Ds has a pair of glasses that are -1.50, I’m -5.25. If I put his on it makes me slightly less of a danger but I look a bit mad because they’re covered in super heroes. I’ve had a dig through all our hand luggage and we have a packet of Pringles, a spare outfit each for both dc’s, a couple of books, iPads and 4 dinosaurs. I have zero spare clothes but the vest too I’m wearing makes a passable dress. I’m hoping we can find somewhere to buy some not too expensive clothes.

Op this happened to me once when I forgot to bring any contact lenses at all!

Buy some saline solution for reusable lenses and just reuse the paid you have in your eyes now and the ones in your hand luggage. Two small clean clean cups or glasses to keep each one in. Change solution everyday until you get your case.

They will be fine for a few days