Airline bent my MBP...

[Abstract]

Why? It's not like luggage/items are damaged mid-flight due to turbulence - they are damaged by careless airline employees.

They may warn you, but why does that give the airline the right to be so careless?

This is why....

The airline will definitely not take responsibility, because if you read your contract of carriage (the fine print that comes with your ticket) it explicitly states that they are not responsible for damage to electronics in checked baggage, including gate-checked baggage.

He should have known that the airline isn't responsible for damage to electronic things placed in checked luggage, and yet was still too lazy to just reach into his bag and take out his laptop before handing over his bag.

So yes, I think it's his fault. Regardless of how careful they are when handling your stuff, his bag may end up at the bottom of a pile of suitcases and other bags.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I seen them at the gate start cracking down on carry on baggage. The work 3 weeks ago argument is not really a good one if it did not easily fit in that little size limiting bin.
A few months ago I was flying out of houston and the Ticket guy stop this one man who had a duffel bag clearly a little large for carry on. The guy argued saying that it was let on before thanksgiving. The counter was "well sir, it should not of been let on that flight either and this is a full flight so we need the room".
Honestly I am glad they are cracking down because people who take stuff that is to large are taking up all the space for people who follow the rules. It was big time important to me on that flight because I was flying back carry on only and my stuff did fit and I left stuff at home to be able to do so.

I will say let this be a lesson to you. NEVER check you laptop and always make it carry on. Plus make it the bag you put under you seat.

 

[mrgreen4242]

If you bought your airline tickets with a credit card you MIGHT have some built in travel insurance, and that might cover your damages (especially if Apple can repair it for a reasonable fee). It would be worth looking into that before you file a home owners claim... my "no claim discount" is about $500 a year (on a $600 policy ) so paying for an even $2000 new laptop would end up being a good buy over the next 5 years.

 

[StealthRider]

I seen them at the gate start cracking down on carry on baggage. The work 3 weeks ago argument is not really a good one if it did not easily fit in that little size limiting bin.
I will say let this be a lesson to you. NEVER check you laptop and always make it carry on. Plus make it the bag you put under you seat.

And I say, as in the first post, that it did fit very nicely in the size bin, and believe me when I say that it was the crew chief yelling at me and not laziness that motivated leaving the laptop. Especially packed the way it was - it had more protection than it did leaving the factory, for crying out loud.

 

[ToddW]

Thats why I always carry a backpack with me. If you have ever had your luggage lost and been somewhere without the essentials then you learn your lesson very quickly.

 

[StealthRider]

Thats why I always carry a backpack with me. If you have ever had your luggage lost and been somewhere without the essentials then you learn your lesson very quickly.

This was my backpack, that's the whole point . I wasn't overly happy about putting my passport, MyBook, thumbdrive, etc. down below either, but those aren't damaged. I only managed to dig out my wallet before they started the engines.

 

[7on]

That's what I hate about insurance. You buy it betting that it'll help you when you need it and the insurance company is betting that you'll never need it. If I wasn't required to have renter's insurance and car insurance I wouldn't have them! (though I will be looking to get my car fixed pretty soon under insurance).

 

[dL.]

Does Macbook bent as well? If not, in that same situation, what would've happened? Crack?

dL

 

[StealthRider]

Does Macbook bent as well? If not, in that same situation, what would've happened? Crack?

dL

In this case, probably nothing - the case wasn't scratched or dented at all, just bent. Polycarb is a little more resilient than aluminum when it comes to purely deformative forces.

 

[vanmacguy]

Ah good, because Shua is right, and it really is your fault.

If I was the airline, I wouldn't give you compensation for this incident.

Why on Earth is it the OP's 'fault'?

Just because we've come to accept lousy service and damaged luggage while traveling doesn't mean that that's the way it should be!

When the OP handed over their bag, then it 'should' have been treated well. And if it wasn't treated well he should be able to do something about it. In your world he'd go to file a complaint and the person behind the desk would be justified in saying, "well you know we treat all your luggage like crap so it's your fault for flying with us".

 

[0098386]

IMO they should pay for the repairs/new model. Kick up a fuss and get as many watchdogs involved as you can. I doubt 1 person can make an impact but it would be nice if luggage handlers took better care of what they're supposed to be handling.

 

[StealthRider]

Why on Earth is it the OP's 'fault'?

Just because we've come to accept lousy service and damaged luggage while traveling doesn't mean that that's the way it should be!

Thank you. While I do accept some responsibility for the bag being in position for damage in the first place, it is not "my fault" that the damage occurred. Unless I tackled the bag handler when he was carrying mine...I mean...eh...

 

[juanm]

My advice:

Pelican Case 1490

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=_QHSpNNv7co

I've one of these, and okay, it's heavy, but i can put everything inside it (MBP, tablet, two hard drives, power cords, remote, card reader...) and according to the maker, I can even drive over it with my car! (or take it underwater, since it's sealed).