At a Loss for Luggage

By M. C. Millman

On Thursday, July 14, Delta Airlines attempted to remedy a small part of the baggage pileup at Heathrow Airport in London by sending a plane containing 1,000 bags and no passengers from London to the U.S.. The suitcases, which made good use of an already canceled flight, were then delivered personally to the airline's customers. Other passengers who have flown through Heathrow are hoping for a similarly happy ending. 

"My newlywed son and daughter-in-law flew through Heathrow to Ben Gurion with seven bags for a year in Eretz Yisroel," says Harry Grossman, New Hempstead resident. "It's nearly a week later, and they still don't have any of their checked-in luggage, and there's no one to talk to on the airline they flew either. It's all automated messages and texts. The good news is that they eventually got an email that six of the seven suitcases had been located by the airline, but they have yet to receive any of them."

Some airports have more issues than others in handling the increased number of bags coming through now that travel has increased with COVID restrictions dropped. Heathrow Airport, in particular, has been plagued by congestion and flight-related mishaps. 

"There are always some places that tend to lose luggage more than others, especially now that there is a shortage of workers," Shuly Pinter, travel agent from Plan-it-Rite, tells Rockland Daily. "Lately, Heathrow has been having more issues. It used to be France, but now they're better." 

To resolve the issue, Heathrow ordered airlines on Tuesday, July 12, to stop selling tickets to Heathrow. They also capped the number of passengers to 100,000 daily through September 11. 

Eli Knoll, Plan-it-Rite executive, offers the following recommendations to Rockland Daily travelers. "Pack your more expensive items in your carry-on, and bring a full change of clothing. Most importantly, be sure to obtain travel insurance before your trip."

"Definitely bring an extra change of clothing in your carry-on," one Uman frequently flyer suggests. "I've needed it many times when making the trip to Uman."

Ben Gurion Airport has the same issue with workers who are needed to end the chaos and cut down on waiting times. Recruiting and training the number of necessary new employees can take another full year. 

Recommendations for how early to arrive at Ben Gurion airport to make it through customs range from arriving 3 or 4 hours before scheduled flight times. Arriving earlier should allow for shortened lines and, in turn, help eliminate the chances of losing luggage.

It is estimated that increases in lost luggage and the cancellations of flights worldwide will only continue to be an issue, and it is not clear when the situation will change.