American Airlines Breaks Bikes

[PhilDernerJr]

NYCAviation:


:arrow: American Airlines Breaks Bikes (http://nycaviation.com/2010/06/08/american-airlines-breaks-bikes/)
What recourse do you have when an airline destroys your $1,800 bicycle and screws up your long-planned vacation? According to American Airlines, nothing.

[NIKV69]

Yikes. would never trust checking something like that. What a shame. What is AA's policy on something like that?

[T-Bird76]

The one thing Richard neglected to read was the cargo liability, this isn't considered baggage so it doesn't fall under the same protections as your suitcase. Cargo has different liability and if no declared value was stated or insurance taken out the carrier may only be responsible if at all for a very small amount. Even with UPS similar things apply... As an example my company ships $30,000 digital sensors out every day and depending on where and how UPS destroys them (most times they don’t) we often only see a $100 recovery. Believe or not it’s cheaper for us to lose the 29K and replace the unit then to take out insurance on each of these shipments.

Now American like United with the guitars should have shown some goodwill and replaced the bike, providing Richard was able to prove his destroyed bike was worth $1800. In today's "Youtube" world it’s very easy to get your negative message out about a company. Richard should have called me...I have Arpey's direct line in Dallas. ;)

[NIKV69]

Thanks for clarifying Tommy. AA should have paid for at least half or something, the negative publicity just isn't worth it.

[mirrodie]

Tom, like most folks here, no one here reads the fine print.

Let me clarify, the majority of Americans read their baggage claim liability, nevermind the cargo liability, until AFTER a problem occurs.

With such a piece of checked luggage, perhaps the GA checking this man in should have reminded him of hte liability. Such a small step could have yielded a different result regardless the outcome.

[Matt Molnar]

There are some conflicting liability rules, and it's hard to say which one should take precedence, but no matter what the circumstances, the liability is certainly more than $0, which is what he's gotten so far.

[T-Bird76]

Tom, like most folks here, no one here reads the fine print.

Let me clarify, the majority of Americans read their baggage claim liability, nevermind the cargo liability, until AFTER a problem occurs.

With such a piece of checked luggage, perhaps the GA checking this man in should have reminded him of hte liability. Such a small step could have yielded a different result regardless the outcome.


Mario the burden of disclosure does not rely on the company to verbally "remind" you of your liability, fine print is there for a reason. That's like saying "oh I didn't read my mortgage agreement and didn't know if you stop paying you take my house." Ignorance of a contract is not a defense and any service agreement you enter into does place certain risk and liability on one self. Proper due diligence on your part is required to ensure you protect yourself and your possessions. If you ship something of value you should take the proper steps to ensure you insure yourself of any exposure.


There are some conflicting liability rules, and it's hard to say which one should take precedence, but no matter what the circumstances, the liability is certainly more than $0, which is what he's gotten so far.
There are some conflicting liability rules, and it's hard to say which one should take precedence, but no matter what the circumstances, the liability is certainly more than $0, which is what he's gotten so far.

Matt it’s very clear the liability..... Bikes are recreational and considered sports equipment. By the looks of the picture the item was in a cardboard box. Even if it was a "bikebox."


American assumes no liability for musical instruments/recreational/sports items not presented in a hard-sided case.

I'm sure some pushing AMR will show some good will. Richard may want to email Steve Case....he might be able to assist ;)

[ISP Pilot]

American really dropped the ball on this one. If one of the ramp trucks did run over the bike, intentionally or accidentally, the right thing to do would have been to reimburse the owner. That said, I don't think the negative publicity will have much impact on future sales. When someone is ready to book a flight, more often than not they will book the cheapest flight whether it's AA, UA or another carrier. Hopefully, the negative publicity will "force" AA to pay up like UA did in the guitar incident.