Canadian aviation expert breaks down cause of recent lost luggage, offers travel tips
At Vancouver International Airport, roughly 1,500 lost or unclaimed checked bags remained behind a partition Tuesday. That is down from around 4,000 just a week ago.
"Certainly, weather in other areas of the country and other operations at those airports meant that luggage wasn’t being loaded onto planes with the passenger," said Alyssa Smith with the Vancouver Airport Authority on Tuesday.
Not to mention there was a blast of winter here on the West Coast in late December.
"Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Canadians' travel trips were disrupted," said Dr. John Gradek, faculty lecturer at McGill University Aviation.
Gradek says this story began in September.
"That’s typically when airlines figure out, 'How much demand should we have in the Christmas period?'" said Gradek.
It's a time when decisions are made on how many flights will be put out, how many seats will be sold and how much to charge for those flights.
This year, Gradek says airlines likely knew demand was going to be strong.
"A very opportunistic time for the Canadian carriers to basically have a lot of seats available and high prices," said the aviation expert.
As a winter storm swept across the country there was no backup plan. All the flights that were still able to get out were already full and spoken for.
"It was not a very acceptable operation and so bags were mislaid, passengers were waiting to get protection on other flights, and some people had their trips totally cancelled," said Gradek.
At the Victoria International Airport, there were delays and flight cancellations, but not a lot of stories of lost luggage. In fact, YYJ acted as a temporary space to hold luggage for airlines until their rightful destination could be found.
People at the Victoria International Airport retrieve their bags after a flight. (CTV News)Passenger rights advocates are advising those with lost luggage to take the following steps:
- Report your missing baggage with the airline at the airport or online and record interactions with airline agents.
- Make reasonable interim purchases and keep itemized receipts.
- Complain in writing within 21 days of receiving your baggage and, if necessary, initiate legal action against the airline within two years.
"You need patience to fly these days," said Gradek. "Airlines are still going to be fractured over the next few months."
Gradek expects it will take airlines another week to reunite all lost luggage with their owners and says if you do have a trip planned, purchase cancellation insurance. Also give yourself enough time in case the flight you’ve booked gets delayed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.