Delta sucks!!!

dcrowe · Mon Mar 26, 07 12:39 pm **Delta sucks!!!**

Just got to Florida two days ago. Best wind this state has seen in the past year....20kts every day with a great looking forecast. Unfortunately, Delta has lost my kite bag Crying or Very sad

I had two brand new fuels (never even flow) three bars, and my jimmy lewis. They say that it never even got out of Seattle. I skycapped it and am beginning to wonder if it ever made it into the airport. Anyhow, if any of you see a 13m and 9m fuel (purple/black 9m blue/black 13m) for sale on craigs ect. give me a shout. I did pack my harness in my other bag so maybe I'll go float around and add some more salt to the ocean. Man I love the airlines!!!!!!!

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Sorry to hear that Dan. Is that who your old man flies for?

dcrowe · Mon Mar 26, 07 1:05 pm

No, he's with AA. At least when they lost my bag they were somewhat helpful. Delta is giving me the cold shoulder. Looks as though I'll get about $250 total after a months worth of paperwork and hoop jumping Sad

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Dude that just straight up blows!!! Sorry to hear that man!!

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Man, that really sucks! Where are you in Florida?

I'm sure someone will hook you up for a sesh, if they hear what happened.

If you are near Ft Lauderdale try contacting Neil Hutchinson- SS rep down there. He's got an onsite demo location for SS gear on that beach, if I remember correctly. Look him up at X-rated Kiteboarding- http://http://www.xratedkiteboarding.com/

Neil likes Marlboro Reds and Budweiser... I'm sure if you show up with some he's find a way to get you some water time.

If you are farther south, Delray area, just give a shout over to BEST, as they are based out of that area and ride that beach daily.. they've always got some demo gear floating around.

Good luck!

Mark · Mon Mar 26, 07 1:44 pm

These guys are great. If you are nearby I'm sure they can hook u up.

Extreme Kites Kiteboarding
North America's Kitesurfing Center
in St. Augustine Beach, Florida

3930 A1A South
St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday thru Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-5
Sunday Closed

Toll-Free: 1-866-790-SURF
Phone: 904-461-9415
http://www.oceanextremesports.com/

Nak · Mon Mar 26, 07 2:59 pm

Sorry about that. Total BS. Anyway, don't forget to file a claim with your home insurance. They should cover what the airline dosen't. If you have replacement value coverage, you should be able to replace everything.

Nak

jp · Since 04 Mar 2005 87 Posts wherever there are whitecaps

OMG..I truly feel for you..that is a kitemare come true!

And that's always been a question for me...pack + travel with good gear..or should i just take older stuff..if it's lost...no worries...

Hopefully, it fell off some carousel + they'll find it + return to you~

Sometimes the best wind is really in your back yard

good luck!

H-Wood · Since 27 Mar 2007 1 Posts Santa Cruz, CA New Member

D -

Taking kitesurfing gear on commercial airlines is like playing Russian roulette. I'm sorry for your misfortune and I know that my offer won't really make it any better, but if you send me an email including your name and address in the north west, I will send you a complimentary DVD of my new Santa Cruz kitesurfing movie. (info@hwoodproductions.com)

Regards,
H-Wood

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Do airlines have insurance for bags? All this talk about losing luggage is getting me nervous for when I take my next kiting trip. I would hate to lose all my gear - it would totally suck!!

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

they offer insurance for excess value, normally 600 per checked bag is the limit of payout unless the insurance is taken for the additional charge. They lost 2300.00 worth of my ice climbing/rock gear once and gave me like 600.00 and home owners took care of the rest minus most value (prorated) because it was used, but if I bought the gear and turned in the reciepts they pay the difference of value. 600 hundred usually will not cover the price of luggage and some street clothes inside. Stuff adds up quick..

Good luck danny.... Go demo some other kites.. maybe a wahoo.

Hopefully you can get some new gear if the old stuff doesn't surface.

Danny whos turning in the new avatar ?

dcrowe · Wed Apr 04, 07 8:32 am

The saga continues..............Thanks for all the support! Makes me stoked to be a part of such a cool community.

So, got my bag in Florida this last friday in the evening Smile

Thank god they at least found them! Unfortunately, I was leaving Florida the following morning so got completely hosed for kiting. Now the best part. They lost my bag again coming home to Eugene. It was supposed to come in yesterday and they actually called me and told me they were here but it turned out to be someone elses bags. They should arrive today and they're making me go get them at the airport. So, my bags had a great trip without me and managed to stay on vacation several days longer then me. I've written a few e-mails but it looks like I'll get nothing to compensate the pain and suffering. Oh well, at least I'll have my kites(maybe) Wink

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Dude, that sucks.

If the bags arrive late and it is their fault, they should deliver them to your house. Have had this happen before.

When I lived in Hatteras, it was 2.5 hours to airport and I was compensated by South West for coming to get them. They would have delivered, but offered me travel voucher if I came. Ended up with almost a free flight from it and got a friend coming down anyways to grab the bags.

I would demand they deliver the bags at a minimum. If they make you go out of your way to go back to the airport, then I would demand some sort of compensation.

If you don't get results. I would write up a clear, descriptive account of your entire experience and yes.. send it to their administration, but more importantly, get online and post to as many even remotely relevant blogs, forums and such as you can. Make sure you description is loaded with text including key words of Delta, baggage, lost baggage, customer service, airport names, city's, codes, flight number's, etc. I'm sure if you search, you will find others who have had similar experiences and have posted about them on blogs.

In this internet/information age, companies are now being held accountable for their practices due to the overwhelming ability for consumers to share their experiences. Other consumers seek out this advice and share their own experiences. Before long, it is not the companies policies on baggage handling that comes up when someone searches, but rather a multitude of real life experiences, such as yours, which will educate the consumer to make decisions about who they choose to do business with AND allow the company to truely see the perspective of the customer, allowing them to react and maybe change for the better.

Won't solve the immediate solution, but could help consumers in the immediate and the company in the long run.

I will note however, I am not advocating slandering or slamming the company or the experience with them, as this will discredit the reality of the information you are sharing. Share it objectively and just describe, in detail (include flight #'s, airport codes, etc) what happened, so other consumers may benefit from your experience.

Sorry Florida didn't work out for you.. luckily it has been firing in the Gorge and on the Coast, so at least (once you go get your bags) you can get out around here.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

After 911, lost luggage has been reduced dramatically. It is usually just not loaded due to weight and balance issues, not uncommon with smaller turbo props and switching planes.

Were the bags heavy or oversized? Were you early to the airport? How many stops, or non-stop?

if your that worried, you can always ship your gear by DHL, UPS, ....

ASIDE: if you don't own a home, get renters insurance, same functionality Very Happy

dcrowe · Wed Apr 04, 07 1:58 pm