Is the possibility of a cabin sized trolley bag being damaged when checked in high?
I have with me a cabin sized trolley bag which will contain some razors, knifes, scissors, chocolates and some dresses. So obviously I cannot take these with me as cabin luggage on Lufthansa as per rules and regulations. I would like to know if it would be easily damaged if i check it in before boarding the flight? Is there a possibility that maybe it would be handled with care as it is smaller in size? Or is there anything that I can do to protect checked in baggages?
In the worst case there is a damage to it, where can I find some sort of claims department for the damaged bag on Lufthansa website?
I have read this question but it does not answer any possible damages that might happen to it.
Best Answer
There is always some normal wear and tear to bags, just by the nature of being shoved and manually put in the ULD (Unit Load Device) - that's what the giant boxes are called that are used to load luggage in the airplane's cargo hold.
If it is small in size, it may be handled with less care as it is easy to pick up and place. You may want to ask for a fragile sticker to put on your bag at the counter. This instructs the loaders to use caution when moving the item.
To protect from external damage (like scuffs and scratches) consider having the item wrapped in plastic. It is a service offered at many airports these days; see Why would you wrap your luggage in plastic? for more on this topic.
In case of damage to the bag, here is what Lufthansa has to say:
In international and German domestic travel, the liability for damage, destruction, loss or partial loss and for late delivery of baggage is limited to a cumulative 1,131 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per journey and traveller. The SDR is the accounting unit of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); 1,131 SDR currently corresponds to about €1,213 (please regard that this amount is subject to currency fluctuation and may vary).
In general, you are responsible for your carry-on baggage and personal belongings. The liability of airlines is regulated by law. We definitely recommend that you take out a baggage insurance.
Lufthansa is not liable for breakable items in inappropriate packaging, or normal wear and tear of overstuffed baggage such as scratches, dents or damage.
To file a claim, you have to contact them at the facility:
If your baggage is lost or damaged, you should report this immediately after your arrival to the Lufthansa baggage tracing desk or the local Lufthansa representative at the airport.
You can report the damage or loss in writing subsequently within the legally prescribed deadline, however evidence is then required and you must prove that the damage or loss occurred during the carriage by air.
Pictures about "Is the possibility of a cabin sized trolley bag being damaged when checked in high?"
Can cabin luggage be checked in?
As a general rule, baggage that is small enough to be carried along as a cabin bag can be checked-in. But check-in baggage must be handed over for check-in before security. Check-in baggage can attract fees if its weight exceeds the permissible weight. Likewise, budget airlines also charge a fee for check-in baggage.What happens if cabin bag is too big?
What happens if my cabin baggage is too heavy or too large to carry onboard? If your cabin baggage exceeds the cabin baggage allowance, it will be tagged as limited released at the gate by the ground staff and checked into cargo hold and treated as checked baggage.Is trolley bag allowed in cabin?
Air India stipulates that an odd sized cabin baggage/travel trolley not conforming to the specified dimension will not be allowed in the cabin. Such baggage will be removed and will be loaded in the hold, as per rules.What is considered damaged luggage?
Damage to luggage components including wheels, handles, straps and other glaring problems, such as holes or a cracked hardside bag, are covered. The latter is a big problem in cold weather, Ouimette said. (So are removable straps, which regularly get stuck in the bag loading systems, so take them off, she said.)The Science of Airport Security
More answers regarding is the possibility of a cabin sized trolley bag being damaged when checked in high?
Answer 2
The size of the bag will make almost no difference in how the ground crew handles the bag. In fact, the bag will be 'handled' far more by airport's baggage systems than actual humans.
Also, that it is cabin sized baggage makes little difference in ruggedness compared to larger baggage.
So, I think you're quite over thinking this.
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