Westjet Lost My Luggage

[I_H8_Crawford]

Well, "delayed baggage" in their terms.

It's been almost 36 hrs since I landed yyc-yvr and still don't have it but apparently will be getting it by tomorrow am.

What pissed me off is I heard a co-worker from Boston had their luggage lost as well and had it delivered to their hotel at 1am this morning.

How the hell does a lost bag get from Boston to Van 24 hrs earlier than a lost bag in Calgary to Van???

I must say anyone who claims Westjet offers better customer service vs competitors is full of crap. No one answers phones nor returns messages, and I am already dreading having to get them to reimburse me for everything I had to buy, including a new suit for my meetings.

They found my bag around noon PST so it would make sense to me that the bag would be on the next flight out to yvr but instead it's on the last flight of the day. Complete BS when they claim they go above and beyond for customers.... Can't wait until they try to **** me out of reimbursing me money.

Westjet, you suck.

/end rant

[I_H8_Crawford]

Oh I do have to give credit to Robert at Tip-Top tailors on Pender for hooking me up with a full suit and getting the pants hemmed all within 30 mins. He also met my requirement of getting it as cheap as possible since I am going to go after Westjet to reimburse me for the whole thing.

So if anyone in Van needs a suit support Robert at Tip Top

[MoneyGuy]

We lost our luggage when we went to Europe last summer. It was gone for a few days and met us in a port on the Rhine. I could complain and stress out or forget about it until we were reunited. I chose the latter. Didn't want it to spoil our vacation. It happens and the only control is how you deal with it.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

We lost our luggage when we went to Europe last summer. It was gone for a few days and met us in a port on the Rhine. I could complain and stress out or forget about it until we were reunited. I chose the latter. Didn't want it to spoil our vacation. It happens and the only control is how you deal with it.

Oh I understand crap happens - what I don't tolerate is the complete lack of responsiveness and crappy customer service, especially since this company uses its customer service as a selling point.

[Minnie]

I hate Twitter with a passion but tweeting about stuff like this seems to be really effective, so maybe try that? They had a report on Global not long ago, profiling Air Canada I think it was, and how they have someone who sits there and looks for AC hashtags and respond. Others have gotten swifter resolution because of it, apparently.

[Bonded]

Pack light, use a carry on roller. Failing that bring a carry on with toothbrush etc and wear something that you can go to a meeting in while travelling. I have also learnt this the hard way.

[Travis Munroe]

Westjet is the only airline that will misplace luggage and have delays in responding and getting it back to you?
This is the case with every airline. The good news is westjet is actually great at compensating and understanding the issues.
Also, if you booked with a travel credit card, check your benefits. There are so many that people are not aware of including allowance to go shopping if luggage is misplaces.

[Regulator75]

Write a song about it?

[STeeLy]

Here's a question to the OP.

How long before the flight did you check in?

[speede5]

I was quite upset with Westjet when my sons guitar went missing. It was worth a lot more than the $250 max that is in their ticket/lost luggage policy. In the end they gave us $250 cash and a voucher for the balance, around $500. Better than nothing. The lady I talked to was ok, but not friendly like the flight attendants. Mind you she probably never deals with people who are happy so I can give her some slack.

Anyway, thought that might help you if they can't give you enough cash for your expenses, they should be able to give you a voucher for the balance.

Their policies are pretty easy to find so you should have a good idea what they will reimburse you.

[Nage Waza]

I wonder if repeated calls to them actually results in your luggage arriving faster? Try chilling out a bit, then nicely talking to them.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Well, "delayed baggage" in their terms.

It's been almost 36 hrs since I landed yyc-yvr and still don't have it but apparently will be getting it by tomorrow am.

What pissed me off is I heard a co-worker from Boston had their luggage lost as well and had it delivered to their hotel at 1am this morning.

How the hell does a lost bag get from Boston to Van 24 hrs earlier than a lost bag in Calgary to Van???

I must say anyone who claims Westjet offers better customer service vs competitors is full of crap. No one answers phones nor returns messages, and I am already dreading having to get them to reimburse me for everything I had to buy, including a new suit for my meetings.

They found my bag around noon PST so it would make sense to me that the bag would be on the next flight out to yvr but instead it's on the last flight of the day. Complete BS when they claim they go above and beyond for customers.... Can't wait until they try to **** me out of reimbursing me money.

Westjet, you suck.

/end rant

They really are bad. People think that because the flight attendants act goofy and the pilot tells dumb joke before take off that it's more customer orientated, but they are just like the rest or worse.

[Cowperson]

I'm always amazed my luggage manages to follow me around through various airports and almost always - but not quite - ends up where I do at the same time.

It seems like a miracle.

I don't stress too much on a lost suitcase. As long as I've got a credit card, a passport and a drivers licence, I'm in business.

Cancelled flights and lost travel days are what tick me off. Time is valuable.

Cowperson

[rotten42]

OMG!!! An airline lost some luggage! String them up by ntheir nuts!

If you fly...this #### happens no matter what airline you fly with.

[Northendzone]

so westjet alays loses passengers luggage and they never do anything about it? B@st@rds!!!!!

[Jimmy Stang]

Luckily, the two times I have lost baggage it was upon returning home from Europe, and not the opposite. Being away for business and not having your luggage would be a major pain.

As a Westjet shareholder, I apologize for the inconvenience.

[MoneyGuy]

Anyone here a Westjet "owner."

[The Big Thirsty]

I fly a lot, and Westjet is bottom of the barrel. Domestically, if given the choice, I fly Air Canada 10 out of 10 times. The fact that they get someonme the equivalent to a McDonalds worker to smile at me while I board a plane means jack #### to me, and it should mean the same to anyone else. There are 3 important things when you fly: 1) Cost 2) Comfort 3) Reliability

1) Cost - Despite the fact that Westjet still tries to give us the notion that they are a discount air carrier, they are dollar for dollar the same price as Air Canada. Going to a US destination? Go on Expedia, you can get to any major city in the US through Delta/United/Alaskan/etc. or any of the other Star Alliance carriers at 30 to 50% of the cost as the same fair as Westjet.

2) Comfort: Westjet isn't even in Air Canada' class (Unless you go Air Canada Jazz). Smaller seats, less leg room, and the in-flight entertainment of Air Canada blows anything Westjet offers away. In fact, I was just recently on a Westjet flight to Florida, and it was a new plane. The new plane has ZERO entertainment system because apparently their deal with Bell is over, and they are switching over to tablets (which you will have to rent for a cost). The catch is, any newer plane hasn't been equipped with the seat-back tvs because of this, but they are not yet ready to roll out the tablets so you sit there with nothing for 4-5 hours.

3) Reliability: I'm not saying I've never run into problems with other airline, but I honestly can't remember a single time in the past 5 years where Westjet has got me anywhere on time. Consistently late leaving, and consistently late landing. This is a big deal if you are going somewhere for business or have a tight connection (which if you are flying to the Maritimes is the norm out of Toronto). And since the original poster is talking about luggage, if your luggage is lost with Westjet your are hooped. Although I'm unsure if their policy is any different than any other airline (I carry extra insurance on my visa for that), the amount of staff and services they carry are vastly inferior. Outside of Canada, they'll have a couple of part time people at each destination. If you happen to run into a problem when they are not there, it's tough #### for you. Had this problem in Maui last year. My wife's luggage didn't make it Vancouver from Calgary. Despite having a 3 hour layover, Westjet still couldn't get it there on time. We arrive in Maui at 10 pm that, only to be told that it will be arriving on the same flight tommorow (Day 2) at 10 pm, but since they have no staff in Maui or courier available, it wouldn't actually make it to our hotel until about 2 pm on DAY 3 of our trip. The only solution was for me to drive 45 minutes (each way... so 90 min) from Kanaapali to the airport in Kahului and back to pick it up on Day 2. That's what I ended up doing, but man what a waste of time and hastle. Even when I got to the airport and found the Westjet representative, they had no clue what I was talking about. I later found my wife's luggage circling the luggage chute by itself (anyone could have taken it), with zero help from the representative. If you wish to talk to a Westjet representative at the destination airport, good luck with that. Non-existent except for the 5 minutes after the plane lands.

[Canehdianman]

Air Canada lost my luggage on the last 4 flights I took with them. every single one.

I've never had a problem with Westjet, but no one is perfect.

[rotten42]

Originally Posted by The Big Thirsty

I fly a lot, and Westjet is bottom of the barrel. Domestically, if given the choice, I fly Air Canada 10 out of 10 times. The fact that they get someonme the equivalent to a McDonalds worker to smile at me while I board a plane means jack #### to me, and it should mean the same to anyone else. There are 3 important things when you fly: 1) Cost 2) Comfort 3) Reliability

1) Cost - Despite the fact that Westjet still tries to give us the notion that they are a discount air carrier, they are dollar for dollar the same price as Air Canada. Going to a US destination? Go on Expedia, you can get to any major city in the US through Delta/United/Alaskan/etc. or any of the other Star Alliance carriers at 30 to 50% of the cost as the same fair as Westjet.

2) Comfort: Westjet isn't even in Air Canada' class (Unless you go Air Canada Jazz). Smaller seats, less leg room, and the in-flight entertainment of Air Canada blows anything Westjet offers away. In fact, I was just recently on a Westjet flight to Florida, and it was a new plane. The new plane has ZERO entertainment system because apparently their deal with Bell is over, and they are switching over to tablets (which you will have to rent for a cost). The catch is, any newer plane hasn't been equipped with the seat-back tvs because of this, but they are not yet ready to roll out the tablets so you sit there with nothing for 4-5 hours.

3) Reliability: I'm not saying I've never run into problems with other airline, but I honestly can't remember a single time in the past 5 years where Westjet has got me anywhere on time. Consistently late leaving, and consistently late landing. This is a big deal if you are going somewhere for business or have a tight connection (which if you are flying to the Maritimes is the norm out of Toronto). And since the original poster is talking about luggage, if your luggage is lost with Westjet your are hooped. Although I'm unsure if their policy is any different than any other airline (I carry extra insurance on my visa for that), the amount of staff and services they carry are vastly inferior. Outside of Canada, they'll have a couple of part time people at each destination. If you happen to run into a problem when they are not there, it's tough #### for you. Had this problem in Maui last year. My wife's luggage didn't make it Vancouver from Calgary. Despite having a 3 hour layover, Westjet still couldn't get it there on time. We arrive in Maui at 10 pm that, only to be told that it will be arriving on the same flight tommorow (Day 2) at 10 pm, but since they have no staff in Maui or courier available, it wouldn't actually make it to our hotel until about 2 pm on DAY 3 of our trip. The only solution was for me to drive 45 minutes (each way... so 90 min) from Kanaapali to the airport in Kahului and back to pick it up on Day 2. That's what I ended up doing, but man what a waste of time and hastle. Even when I got to the airport and found the Westjet representative, they had no clue what I was talking about. I later found my wife's luggage circling the luggage chute by itself (anyone could have taken it), with zero help from the representative. If you wish to talk to a Westjet representative at the destination airport, good luck with that. None existent except for the 5 minutes after the plane lands.

See I could say the same about AirCanada. I have had many flight cancellations from them. If you watch the news in the morning it is amazing how many flights they cancel. I can handle a late flight.....a cancelled flight is another thing.
I also learned from flying never to take the last flight out of the Eastern US no matter who the carrier is. It used to happen most often with Northwestern. They liked to cancel a flight and blame it on weather. I got a chance to chat with a pilot once and he told me it has to do with pilots being over hours but if they can blame it on weather then they don’t have to put you up.
I compare my airline experiences to the same thing as building a house. As with a house, your experience depends on the crew you get....not the company as a whole.