Airlines/ Airports

On 08/11/06, i had reservations to fly from London, Heathrow (LH4727) to Frankfurt, and onward (LO364) to Poznan. Now spite the terrorist scare, all flight were grounded for that particular day till further notice. My journey began initially from IAD (Washington Dulles International Airport) via Virgin Atlantic (VS22) on 08/10/06, with all my luggage belongings checked in with exception of my laptop and backpack. My VS22 flight arrived in terminal 3 with my luggages checked all the way thru to my final destination as the luggage tag enclosed indicated (routine). As I arrived at Lhr I proceeded to terminal 2 where pick up my boarding card for my next flight(LH4727) set to depart around noon to Frankfurt, Germany and lastly( LO364) to Poznan Poland.

Unfortunately, to my amazement I now learnt not only from the chaotic scene and sound of passengers scattered throughout the Lufthansa lobby, that my flight was canceled till further notice. I was urged by one of the personnel to go to the ticketing counter and rebook my flight for the next available time. After standing in line for several hours, I lost hope of gracing the ticket desk, but I did while in motion happen to call and reconfirm my flight for the next earliest departure. I was told by the representative on the phone that I’m scheduled to depart at 1715 that evening but thru Munich instead. I now took it upon me while awaiting my flight to go back to Virgin Atlantic and find out the whereabouts of my luggage since my flight was canceled. After getting the runaround, I discovered that my luggage was within Lufthansa’s grasp and I need to the proper documents to claim it. I did however succeed at so doing; moreover as I now waited till 1715 only to hear the announcement over air that no flights would be departing that day. So I rescheduled only to be put on standby for earlier flights but confirmed for the same time flight as of previous. Mind that hotel accommodations were never offered, spite all that were happening.

On 8/12/06, I arrived back at Lhr at 515am with hope that I’d be able to fly out on the first available flight. However, I wasn’t the only one hoping. After standing in line for about 4 hours I arrived at the ticketing counter with my necessity of documents. The agent told me that he’s unable to offer me boarding, claiming that he didn’t see my reservation in his system, but eventually with some figure heads lurking by I was able to locate my existing reservation. Well, I checked in my luggage since we weren’t allowed to take nothing aboard other than a wallet and passport in a transparent bag. I was ordered to take out my laptop and check it in separately. Routinely it was tagged, checked in as I wasn’t charged excess baggage spite the weight differentiation due to the ongoing terrorist mayhem.

Moreover, after arriving in Germany I was in baggage claims declaring my belongings and I found one of my checked in luggage opened upon arrival on the baggage belt. I discovered my watch missing and my keys to my apartment missing from its inserted pocket space within, and other small toiletries open, missing and wasted. My laptop baggage didn’t accompany the other luggages checked in. I now proceeded to the lost and found office to make a claim hoping that it would surface.

After that was done, I ventured upstairs to the departure desk to recheck in again. I explained to the representative (Ms. Cambata) what was going on, and pointed to her that there might be a disparity in the weight of my luggage’s since my initial transatlantic flight was canceled. I also stressed that there was some annotations made under my file from the London leg (office). Despite, my plea Ms. Cambata rudely and uncooperatively said, “Whatever dealings occurring in London have nothing to do with Germany,” and that she can only oblige to companies policy. I now asked, to speak to a station manager because she was being unprofessional in her tone and sly racial remarks which I’m not enthused to repeat at this time because it beside the point (Doesn’t represent your company in any way). After all was said and not done, I was charged 80euros (102USD), which I wasn’t supposed to be charged for in the first place. I’m kindly requesting my refund (enclosed is the original receipt of the charge). I now paid and proceeded to my gate for boarding.

Finally, as I arrived in Poznan I cleared customs and went to baggage claims to make another claim of whom to address my other loss and damaged claims to. On the evening of 08/12/06 I received a call from one of your offices, stating to expect my luggage in Poznan the evening of 08/13/06. Unfortunately, since then and with sporadic visits and routine calls to UK, Germany and Poland I’m yet to find my luggage or a resolution to the matter. I’m also requesting some form of compensation for my luggage being in my absence for over 24 hours, and also my items lost/Stolen from my checked in luggage (i.e. Casio Ceptor Watch, Apartment keys, Memory Stick, etc.).

I must point out that I’m a 3rd year Medical Student and my laptop is very vital to me with its history of resourceful contents within its memory especially as I prepare for my upcoming USMLE board exams. I’m taking the exam at the end of September so I need full compensation to replace it along with its other missing articles (i.e. Motorola phone, laptop bag, Flash Drive, etc.).

Once again, thank you for your time, service and patronage as I look forward to your anticipating response/action.