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AIBU?

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Original poster

BA missing luggage - All Santa presents gone ..absolutely gutted!

230 replies

iwillinmyarse · 22/12/2021 00:12

Just that, took a flight on Saturday 18th from Heathrow to Dublin, checked in 4 bags, with clothes, toiletries etc but mostly all the Santa presents only to be told by the pilot on landing that no bags had been loaded on the flight and to go online to BA.com and chase them up. No way to contact BA directly as won’t answer the phone, no email address and no sign of the luggage. 3 days to Christmas and not a single present to put in the kids stockings, am absolutely gutted. Logged the baggage as advises by the pilot but to no avail. Does anyone know of any way to get in touch with BA and actually try to track down missing baggage?🙏

OP posts:
Lulu1919 · 22/12/2021 02:15

I thought bags had to travel with the person who checked them in for security reasons ...ie if you check bags in then miss your flight they unload your bags ...I'm obviously way out of touch lol
I hope this gets sorted for you ....what a nightmare !?!?!

Original poster
iwillinmyarse · 22/12/2021 02:18

Fair point, BA must have decided that all this luggage looked honest and responsible enough to travel unaccompanied! 🤔

OP posts:
Mudflaps · 22/12/2021 02:22

What part of Ireland are you in? There may be people here who could help pick up some bits for the kids or even share if they've bought too much.

Original poster
iwillinmyarse · 22/12/2021 02:34

That’s so kind, but have just managed to order some Rubix cubes, books and hot water bottles(!) on Amazon which should arrive by Friday. Will be able to get selection boxes locally and some gift set in chemist. Trouble with Amazon since Brexit loads of stuff won’t deliver to Ireland any more. I won’t be able to replace the main presents which were quite expensive but was thinking I may be able to some sort of voucher/iou saying the “special presents” would be delivered in January when we get back. There are still 3 days to go, I haven’t completely given up..

OP posts:
Squeezita · 22/12/2021 02:34

That’s ridiculous they’ve missed all the luggage, but glad it’s not just your bags that have gone astray.

You would think BA would be more proactive in contacting affected customers.

If you don’t get them them in time for Christmas (touch wood you do) then I’d be putting in a compensation claim for anything you buy as a stopgap.

Original poster
iwillinmyarse · 22/12/2021 02:35

Ps, anyone who may have a hotline to St. Anthony might put in a good word 😜

OP posts:
Original poster
iwillinmyarse · 22/12/2021 02:42

That’s an idea, on their website they say they will compensate for “basics” and all I’ve bought is some toiletries and underwear, but thinking about it I think getting something from Santa on Christmas morning is pretty basic from a child’s perspective.

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 22/12/2021 03:08

I'm sorry about this, that's such a stressful situation

Am not staying somewhere which has many shops
Where are you in Ireland that this is the case? I'm in Ireland, I can't think of anywhere that there aren't decent options within max 1 or 2 hours, even in the most remote parts, but usually 30 minutes would get you to a shopping centre at least.

I would definitely purchase some Santa / stocking presents now, you've got 3 days, it's absolutely doable.

Presumably your parents & other family have got them presents, so if you do that, they won't be left without gifts.

Regarding Twitter, just use your phone to access it. It's honestly the easiest way to get a reply & they absolutely will want to make sure someone's Christmas isn't ruined.

EarringsandLipstick · 22/12/2021 03:12

just managed to order some Rubix cubes, books and hot water bottles(!) on Amazon

I don't think that's a great option as it's not that places don't deliver to Ireland, it's that post-Brexit, custom charges may apply; these have to be paid in the post office before delivery so you won't have time most likely.

Honestly, get them some decent gifts at the nearest big city / shopping centre / retail park. The advantage of Ireland is that it's small, you just won't be too far away from any suitable place. You can't give them those gifts.

Where are you based?

JustLikeaJingleBell · 22/12/2021 03:17

Oh god what a nightmare. Because they all have tags on they should get to you soon enough and hopefully whilst you're still in Ireland.

GiantHaystacks2021 · 22/12/2021 03:39

That's horrendous.
Twitter that shit.

Or - go on Joe Duffy.

GoingBacktoSchool123 · 22/12/2021 04:33

It’s a system wide BA issue and loads of flights took off without luggage. Unfortunately you are going to have to do your best to salvage what you can in Xmas. The twitter / bad PR route is not worth wasting your energy on as it’s all been said and done already.

Twentypast · 22/12/2021 04:48

@Lulu1919

I thought bags had to travel with the person who checked them in for security reasons ...ie if you check bags in then miss your flight they unload your bags ...I'm obviously way out of touch lol I hope this gets sorted for you ....what a nightmare !?!?!
That only applies to people who voluntary decide not to travel. Their bags are removed. This is involuntary.

OP, I hope it gets sorted. T5 has been chaotic for the last few days. Increased passenger numbers but BA is experiencing staff shortages because of covid.

Berthatydfil · 22/12/2021 04:54

Re Twitter - your iPad may be to old to run the newer versions iOS so can’t load the App but you may be able to use your browser - I do something similar with my older iPad to access some if the streaming services.

IHateCoronavirus · 22/12/2021 04:55

Bloody he’ll op I can’t believe they knew this was happening but didn’t warn their passengers, what if it was life saving medicine in that case?

IHateCoronavirus · 22/12/2021 04:56

I hope they get your bags to you b4 Christmas.

GrannytoaUnicorn · 22/12/2021 05:15

@EarringsandLipstick

just managed to order some Rubix cubes, books and hot water bottles(!) on Amazon

I don't think that's a great option as it's not that places don't deliver to Ireland, it's that post-Brexit, custom charges may apply; these have to be paid in the post office before delivery so you won't have time most likely.

Honestly, get them some decent gifts at the nearest big city / shopping centre / retail park. The advantage of Ireland is that it's small, you just won't be too far away from any suitable place. You can't give them those gifts.

Where are you based?

You can't give them those gifts. HmmAngry How dare you?!? I think OP gets to decide what her children receive!!
EarringsandLipstick · 22/12/2021 05:26

How dare you?!? I think OP gets to decide what her children receive!!

Relax. OP herself included an exclamation mark in recognition that these were less than ideal gifts. I'm sure her original choices were different.

My point is that wherever in Ireland she is, she is not that far from a decent retail area that she can buy decent presents in line with what she'd like to give them.

Her DC will be getting other gifts from her family. So it's just Santa presents that need to be sorted. (Not that that isn't stressful in itself of course).

So you can calm down with the little angry face emojis

Ericaequites · 22/12/2021 05:37

Be sure to put a note in your suitcase with contact information. The main reasons suitcases aren’t reunited with their owners is labels and exterior tags were torn off. Best wishes to get your luggage back.

Pearldrops04 · 22/12/2021 05:38

DH’s a pilot, I’ve just told him and he said the pilot’s for all flights without any hold luggage would’ve known before take off as they have to sign the manifest...they weee all obviously told by BA not to say anything to passengers which is utterly disgusting.

Shame on BA, I hope people do some serious complaining.

Pearldrops04 · 22/12/2021 05:38

I also hope you get your luggage soon op Flowers

horizontilting · 22/12/2021 05:39

Custom charges don't apply in Ireland when you order at amazon.co.uk. Amazon apply the custom charges at their end at checkout. They are the only retailer I'm aware of that does this.

Myauldman · 22/12/2021 06:01

Same thing happened to me on a BA flight or another European city on Saturday. The apparent surprise of the Captain on landing was pretty galling when it was clear to anyone with half a brain cell that they knew all along.

Hope you get your bags soon OP. Keep a log of any out of pocket expenses for your compensation claim.

TeeBee · 22/12/2021 06:09

Do you have travel insurance OP? It would probably cover lost luggage.

BarbaraofSeville · 22/12/2021 06:16

Hopefully they'll turn up in the next couple of days?

It's a bit ridiculous if you don't get listened to unless you wash your dirty laundry in public on the cesspit that's on twitter. Fuck that shit.

www.resolver.co.uk/ is another resource to complain, it walks you through the process, advises you of your rights and gets your complaint to someone who's in a position to (hopefully) sort it out.