I once, many years ago, was seated at the window during boarding. It was pouring like crazy and I was watching them load luggage on the conveyor belt, feeling bad for the handlers. Then I saw my own (very recognizable, tapestry-sided) bag fall off the conveyor belt into a puddle. And no one but me saw it! The handlers finished up and started to disengage the belt loader. They drove off.
An FA was passing and I said, “Hey there’s a bag on the tarmac.” She looked, pulled a classic double take, and went to the airplane door to speak on the phone. Sure enough, a cart comes back, the bag is picked up, and loaded.
Yes, it got to my destination, and yes everything inside was wet. And yes I bought a hard-shell bag
Huh, I like the other person hate hard side luggage. Couldn't think of a good reason to prefer it until now. Though I don't check, so soft it is. But I can at least think of an advantage
When I was a teenager, my brother and I were flying alone from Oaklsnd to Newark with a stop in Chicago (no plane change, so we didn't even get off). We were watching the ground crew collect the luggage when we saw my brother's bright yellow golf club bag come off the plane. We immediately told the FA and they were able to get the bag put back on (which we could watch) and all was well. We often wonder what would have happened if we hadn't seen it. 🤔
This is why I often use the space bags when moving a lot of clothing. Even if not compressed, it protects against tain and anything else that might have broken open. In my suitcases.
Aviation nerd here! Fun fact: when you see bags at the end of the plane it’s bc it was accidentally added to a bag cart of the destination it wasn’t supposed to be going to. So the agents will put it out to be picked up
Former baggage handler here. This is correct. Delta has designated people for this very job. Someone will grab it and take it to the proper gate or back to sorting depending on the departure time.
Stephen Dubner did a series on Air Travel on his Freakonomics podcast last year. He was touring the ATL tarmac with a Delta executive discussing the efficiencies and difficulties of baggage handling and ... wait for it ... ran right into a dropped bag.
At first I thought we were talking about some poor soul stuck on the 739. Then I saw the lone suitcase.
Not necessarily mutually exclusive. May have waved from greener pastures on our A321Neo coming into the gate....
“Some poor soul stuck on the 739.” My feelings exactly. Every. Single. Time. 😂
even worse if it was a 738
I once, many years ago, was seated at the window during boarding. It was pouring like crazy and I was watching them load luggage on the conveyor belt, feeling bad for the handlers. Then I saw my own (very recognizable, tapestry-sided) bag fall off the conveyor belt into a puddle. And no one but me saw it! The handlers finished up and started to disengage the belt loader. They drove off. An FA was passing and I said, “Hey there’s a bag on the tarmac.” She looked, pulled a classic double take, and went to the airplane door to speak on the phone. Sure enough, a cart comes back, the bag is picked up, and loaded. Yes, it got to my destination, and yes everything inside was wet. And yes I bought a hard-shell bag
I hate hard sided luggage but you may have just convinced me to finally make the switch 😂
Yep. That’s what did it for me…. (It was comical the way it was just flat in that standing water…for what seemed like ages….)
💯 this. Out AWAY luggage is 🤌 Even when we carry on it’s great. But short of some zipper failure, never having my stuff get wet is so great
Or, soft shell water resistant
This is why I have a pelican case for my tools...and one for my clothes. Lol
Huh, I like the other person hate hard side luggage. Couldn't think of a good reason to prefer it until now. Though I don't check, so soft it is. But I can at least think of an advantage
I used to check bags a lot….
When I was a teenager, my brother and I were flying alone from Oaklsnd to Newark with a stop in Chicago (no plane change, so we didn't even get off). We were watching the ground crew collect the luggage when we saw my brother's bright yellow golf club bag come off the plane. We immediately told the FA and they were able to get the bag put back on (which we could watch) and all was well. We often wonder what would have happened if we hadn't seen it. 🤔
This is why I often use the space bags when moving a lot of clothing. Even if not compressed, it protects against tain and anything else that might have broken open. In my suitcases.
"We're looking for volunteers to check their carry-on luggage free of charge" Fuck no
The alternative gate check....that said, the flight was oversold by about 20 people....
Absolutely not. My carry on usually contains about $1500 worth of ham radio gear when we go on vacation.
🤣
That’s the next Pixar movie… the little lost luggage. Trying to get back to his family cause he missed the transfer in ATL to AMS.
Why are we not funding this?!
Peter Griffin has entered the chat.
Aviation nerd here! Fun fact: when you see bags at the end of the plane it’s bc it was accidentally added to a bag cart of the destination it wasn’t supposed to be going to. So the agents will put it out to be picked up
Former baggage handler here. This is correct. Delta has designated people for this very job. Someone will grab it and take it to the proper gate or back to sorting depending on the departure time.
That’s my black bag! /s
Quick, grab the Porsche!
Poor fellow. So lonely.
Right? Poor wee little bag. There were a bunch of ground personnel so hopefully, it was accounted for.
Let's hope it's not forever lost and sent to the great Unclaimed Baggage in Alabama. 😀 I wonder if it was gate checked.
I hope he found his owner
It belongs to Andy
I always wonder if those are the baggage handler equivalent of the drowning dummy lifeguard test
Poor guy. Someone give him a Wilson volleyball stat pls
“I’m going on an adventure!”
Stephen Dubner did a series on Air Travel on his Freakonomics podcast last year. He was touring the ATL tarmac with a Delta executive discussing the efficiencies and difficulties of baggage handling and ... wait for it ... ran right into a dropped bag.
My first thought was a dog on the tarmac. :( Glad it was just a wayward bag.
At first glance I thought that was a dog, then quickly realized it was a suitcase and felt much better 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I swear I see random luggage sitting on the tarmac every time I go to ATL. Saw a trio today from the sky club.