How to Deal With Lost Luggage

Though you can misplace baggage from a taxi, the belly or roof of a bus or from a train, that may be theft, and most merely lost luggage complaints are with airlines.

What should I do about lost luggage?

If your bag doesn't show up on the baggage carousel (above), look immediately for the airline's nearby baggage office or window (this would be the lost luggage people) and report it there at once (the office is near - it's probably not on another level). Don't panic - your bag may just be delayed and coming in on another flight. Give the window clerk your baggage stubs.

What will happen when I report lost luggage?

The clerk at the baggage claim window will track your bag on the computer first, using your stubs. If the bag isn't on another flight, the clerk will begin calling around to track it down or send baggage guys who work for the airline to look for it. Describe your stuff and produce a picture of your baggage. Use this time to get out your itinerary, as it can be wildly frustrating to listen to this search process.

The clerk will next ask you to fill in a claim form with pertinent personal info (use your itinerary) and bag description. Supply a way to be reached (like a working phone) over the next few days. Give the clerk your bag's picture. Keep a copy of the form.

You'll then be told that the airline will look for your baggage and return it to you if it is found. Yes, ominous words. It's now safe to assume it may be officially lost luggage, unless the clerk tracks it as having been delivered to the carousel - in that case, it may be stolen and you will now need the police.

What the airline will do if your baggage is gone

If the airline finds your bag, they'll get it to you. If not, the airline will try to replace the lost luggage itself with the closest match possible. You're entitled to contents recompense - varies by airline, but policy limits amounts; you may not get what you'd like. Do find out will you be reimbursed if you buy replacements for items from your lost luggage (while you're traveling) like clothes and toothpaste.

Ex. 1. Answer the following questions:

1. Is it important to label your baggage inside and out?

2. How can a traveler spot his bag in a whole pile of similar-looking bags?

3. What should a tourist do if his bag doesn't show up on the baggage carousel?

4. What are the duties of the clerk at the baggage claim window?

5. Will the airline try to replace the lost luggage itself with the closest match possible?

Ex. 2. Match the words in A with their definitions in B:

A	B
1. define	a. to provide information about something that exists or has happened
2. claim	b. the things that are inside something such as a box, bottle, building or room
3. report	c. to describe clearly what something is
4. misplace	d. a statement that you have the legal right to something
5. contents	e. payment that you give to someone who has suffered injury or loss because of you
6. recompensate	f. to put something in the wrong place and lose it

Ex. 3. Complete the gaps with one of the words given below:

clerk	rip off
unloaded	contents
claim	check

1. Get to the area of the airport where your baggage will be being ……… as fast as possible after your flight lands.

2. Don’t ……… bags unless you need to for your liquids and gels.

3. The ……… will next ask you to fill in a ……… form with pertinent personal information and bag description.

4. Before checking the baggage, ……… any old baggage tags another airline may have put on your bags.

5. You're entitled to ……… recompense - varies by airline, but policy limits amounts.

Ex. 4. Put the verbs in an appropriate tense and voice:

1. If the airline (find) your bag, they (get) it to you.

2. If bags (to be unloaded) on the tarmac from a small plane, watch yours until it (be) in your hand; you can probably (walk) up and (grab) it.

3. Don't panic, your bag may just (be delayed) and coming in on another flight.

4. Do find out will you (be reimbursed) if you (buy) replacements for items from your lost luggage (while you're traveling) like clothes and toothpaste.

5. You'll then (be told) that the airline (look) for your baggage and return it to you if it (be) found.

Ex. 5. Translate the sentences into Russian paying attention to infinitive and gerund constructions:

1. I like Italian cooking and I am interested in booking Gourmet Adventure holidays.

2. The hotels are proud of having been checked by the hotel inspector successfully. It means they remain the status of the Preferred Hotels.

3. The pilot was forced to make the instrumental landing.

4. Unfortunately there was no dining and luncheon carriage on the train and we had to take a lot of food along with us.