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Your Travel Rights: The New Rules for Airline Baggage
by John Hawks
Delayed Bags
 The good news about delayed airline luggage is that, more than 98 percent of the time, it eventually shows up (usually, within 24 hours of the initial delay). As soon as it’s obvious that no more bags are coming off the carousel in the baggage claim area, you should go immediately to the airline baggage office. (If you’ve flown on more than on airline that day, you should go to the airline that operated your last flight.) You should always collect a claims form or receipt from the airline with details on how to check back (via phone or the Internet) on the progress of the missing bags.
If your bags are delayed for several days, it’s increasingly unlikely these days that the airline will agree to reimburse them for new clothing or other interim expenses -- at least, not without a fight. (Remember: Travel insurance makes perfect sense to avoid these problems!)
Damaged Bags
Remember that you should always inspect your luggage when it comes off the baggage carousels. If you spot any significant damage, you should file a claim immediately with the airline baggage office inside the airport. (The airline rep will usually insist on seeing the damage firsthand.)
Lost Bags
If the airline declares that your luggage is lost, you must file a written claim for damages that may be different than the initial missing baggage report. On domestic U.S. flights, the airline baggage liability limit increased effective March 1, 2007, to $3,000 per passenger. For international flights, the limit is based on a new formula called “special drawing rights” (SDRs) governed by the International Monetary Fund. Right now, the limit is 1,000 SDRs, with the value of an SDR changing daily like currency (it’s set currently at about $1.51 per SDR, so the limit is around $1,510). Previously, the limit was set at $9.07 per pound in the baggage weight. You may be asked to produce receipts if possible for more expensive items claimed as lost contents, and most airlines have included in their ticket fine print a long list of excluded items that are not covered for reimbursement (from antiques to electronics).
General Baggage Tips
- Before you pack your bags, spread out the contents on your bed or the floor and take pictures with your digital camera. Those photos will help you document the contents without forcing you to write down an itemized list of everything -- and, they’ll serve as handy evidence if you must file a claim later.
- Never pack anything in your checked suitcases that you can’t stand to lose. That includes electronics, jewelry, medicine, and other valuables.
- As you check your bags for the first flight, watch the airline agent to make sure the proper city codes and tags are placed on the correct bags. You’d be surprised how often a simple mix-up in stickers can send your bags halfway around the world!
- And, the best advice of all? Purchase travel insurance!
(Photo credits: BusinessWire)
New at the Attractions in Orlando, Florida!
On June 16, 2007, Busch Gardens Africa will reintroduce the SheiKra roller coaster with a new twist—floorless cars that allow riders an unobstructed view of the 70 mph (113 km/h) rush.
 Disney's Magic Kingdom opened The Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor where guests help Mike Wazowski, the "Monster of Ceremonies," and his wild and crazy pals power the city of Monstropolis—with laughter. At Disney's Animal Kingdom, a live 30-minute musical show called "Finding Nemo—The Musical" has opened. Epcot has unveiled The Seas with Nemo & Friends, a whimsical and visually stunning attraction that has the stars of Disney-Pixar's "Finding Nemo" swimming amid the marine life of the aquarium.
 SeaWorld Orlando opens "Elmo and the Bookaneers," a 20-minute show featuring an original music score, special effects and live-action performances running through Labor Day weekend. At the end of May, Shamu's Happy Harbor doubles in size with three new rides: Ocean Commotion, Flying Fiddler and Sea Carousel. SeaWorld Orlando also unveiled plans for a new water park called Aquatica, opening March 2008. The one-of-a-kind park will include up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches. The first new water park to open in Orlando in 12 years will feature 36 water slides; six rivers and lagoons and more than 80,000 square feet (7,432 square meters) of beach area.
Discovery Cove introduced a new "Trainer for a Day" program that features multiple dolphin interactions.
 Blue Man Group, the wildly successful live entertainment experience, is coming to Universal Orlando Resort June 7, 2007. Blue Man Group will permanently occupy a newly created, 1,000-seat live performance theater accessible from both Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios. Tickets are currently on sale.
 On May 25, 2007, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will open The Shuttle Launch Experience, a space shuttle simulation attraction. The 4,088-square-meter, $60 million attraction will be the most technologically advanced exhibit ever created at the complex. Nov. 3-11, 2007, Kennedy Space Center will host the inaugural World Space Expo featuring one of the largest space artifact and hardware displays ever assembled and will be coupled with renowned aerospace personalities to celebrate the past, showcase the present and provide a look at the future of space exploration.
In late May, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will open Bugsville, a children's area with 13 rides, a special theater and a large interactive play structure.
Gatorland opened Gator Gully Splash Park, a $1 million water park expansion geared toward children, featuring giant egrets spilling water, water guns mounted on giant alligators and Grandma's Wet Shack. Gator Gully Splash Park is included in the regular park admission price.
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows opened its first Spanish-language mystery show, "El Cumpleaños del Abuelo." The dinner show combines Latin culture and humor and is presented on Thursday nights at 8:30 p.m.
In mid-May, Wet 'n Wild – Orlando will open Brain Wash, a new funnel ride which includes a 53-foot (16-meter) drop for two- and four-passenger tubes, with dark areas for video projection and special lighting effects. The multimillion dollar attraction showcases the latest advances in ride technology.
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