Rain-soaked documents not specified in the Airline’s Contract of Carriage. So the news is 6 steps in
ORLANDO, Florida. – A Central Florida businessman was able to receive full compensation for damaged business brochures after News 6 worked with Southwest Airlines staff to get results.
News 6 TV viewer Herb Gingold turned to Make Ends Meet for help after an airline denied his request for $627 to cover the cost of 250 confidential business brochures that were “standing in the water.”
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“They were damaged beyond repair,” Gingold told News 6. “I never expected my checked baggage to have such damage, it just got soaked inside.”
The morning flight from Orlando to Denver began with heavy rain at OIA. Gingold said the bag was likely left out of the luggage compartment due to rain and lightning.
When he arrived at his hotel room in Denver, he discovered water damage, but when he provided photographs of the brochures, Southwest Airlines refused to offer compensation after seeing a clause in the carriage contract.
It states, in part, “The carrier is not responsible for money, jewelry, or business documents in checked or unchecked baggage.”
Damaged Baggage (Copyright 2023 WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)
The US Department of Transportation has stated that this is the standard for all US airlines.
The agency’s website states that critical items, including medicines, keys, passport, travel vouchers and business documents, “should never be placed in baggage you plan to check in.”
News 6 asked the airline to reconsider, and Gingold received the good news in the form of $627 transferred to his bank account.
A spokesperson for Southwest wrote, “You are a valued customer and we look forward to serving you again.”
“My friend here in Orlando recommended that I give you a call. so I picked up the phone and called you,” Gingold told News 6, “I didn’t get many results, and then I called Mike Holfeld and I got results.”
If you have consumer, investment, or unemployment concerns, email [email protected] or send a text message. Make ends meet, along with your email and issue, at 407-676-7428.
Click here for US Department of Transportation flight rights.
Copyright 2023 WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
