Southwest airlines lost all of my cues....

[oneshotwiss]

Sorry to hear that Ross. I know it may be too late for you, but I thought I would let anyone else going to Vegas know that the hotel you are going to or The Riviera usually has a holding room where they will sign for and store your cues until you arrive. The easiest thing to do is send them either 2-day UPS or 2-day Fed Ex to the hotel before you leave and they will be waiting for you when you arrive. I know it costs a little money, but think of the headache it could save not to mention $5500 worth of equiptment...Hope you get some resolve Ross

 

[ajrack]

Sorry

I was a travel agent for about ten years and I constantly tried to talk EVERYONE out of flying with "SOUTHWORST". Many -many -many of our clients seemed to have some kind of problem during their transportation with "SOUth WoRST".
Just having a short flight from LAX to PHX, I had problems getting my bags back at PHX! Nothing stolen.
Hope you get yours back!

*note* about a month ago there was a report that since the TSA took over after "911" ... there has been an increase of "lost" bags.

 

[thrasher789]

I'd consult a lawyer as soon as possible, I find it hard to believe they are not responsible. I wish you the best of luck finding/getting them back. MAKE 'EM PAY!!!

My EXACT thoughts, I love how company's think that just by saying 'it is not our responsibility' that that truely takes it off their hands, sadly in a legal sense it often does; but in reality it really is their fault.

 

[Catahula]

Ross, like eveyone before me I am truly sorry to read your account. As someone who has traveled extensively I have had both luggage lost and items stolen from luggage that did arrive. In every case, my dealing with the airlines (UNITED AIRLINE in particular) left a sour taste in my mouth. The only thing they did well was take my money for the ticket.
I would offer this up as a suggestion. You mention that you are writing a letter to Southwest. I work in management for FEDEX for 15 years and I would suggest (if you are not already doing it) the following:
1. Get the name and phone number of everyone that you deal with at Southwest.
2. Start a log of phone calls, conversations, and letters.
3. Do not deal with any of the minions. If you don't like what you are hearing ask for the name and number of their boss. Insist upon talking directly with them.
4. Do what you have to get the name and address of the highest ranking Southwest official you can find (preferably CEO) and involve them in your issue. Do this in writing with a registered letter with delivery confirmation. The sooner they know that you are not going to roll over and go away the better.
5. If you can find a phone number, call the CEO. You won't get through but you will get the attention of someone who acts as the CEO fireman.
6. My favorite...Tell them that you are going to repeat your personal story about your "Southwest Experience" and how you were treated, to everyone that will listen, both in person and on the web, and that you are going to ask those individuals to repeat the story to at least 6 other individuals and those people are going to ask their audience to do the ask to do the same. Tell them you are not going to be happy until the CEO has this story told to him by one of his golfing buddies on the 1st tee.
Step on the "go peddle" and do not let off.
Pass that information (CEO name and address) around and I would be more than happy to write my own letter to the individual as would a few other people here as well I'm sure.
I will tell you that issues get resolved a lot quicker from the "top down" as opposed to "bottom up".

 

[Bob Jewett]

No doubt some ***hole from the TSA is figuring out how to sell them right now

When I went the the Reno IPT tournament, we were just into the "no liquids in carry-on" era, so I put everything into a single suitcase and checked it all. No cue stick, but my laptop was in there. I suspect that it showed up on the X-ray and then the whole bag was sidelined. I'm told that federal prosecutors do run sting operations if enough complaints come in related to one airport.

Computers are specifically excluded from reimbursement. Receipts are required for all claimed items of any value.

I've said it here before: Do not check anything that you would not give to a needy person on the street.

 

[Gunn_Slinger]

Ross,I'm just sick for your loss. Is there anything we can do for you?
Do you need a letter campaign, if so to whom do we write?

I'm sure if any company was to hear that no Pool Player will
fly with them it could make a difference.
I mean with Allan Hopkins million dollar tourney next year just
think of all the pool players going to fly to that.

Brutal just brutal, huge hugs and let us know what we can do to
help you.
hugs mrs.g

 

[cuedoctor]

Thanks all for the words of encouragement... I just finished writing a 3 page letter (what can I say, I just start typing not realizing what I'm even saying!) that will be dropped in the mail first thing tomorrow morning to SW's HQ in Dallas. I just got off of the phone with someone from their customer service/reservations area, and to no suprise, there is no email address!! I think I will be making copies and cc'ing their executive managment on this one....

I still can't believe I've been told I cannot even get reimbursed for the value lost, but I assure you, they are getting an earful....

I completely agree, I think their disclaimer is bs and I will make this a civil matter if need be.....

PM's sent to a few of you... thanks again.

While I was watching the evening news tonite they did a story on the storm in philly and how the airport was shut down,during the story they showed a pile of 1000's of pieces of luggage unclaimed in the airport!!!! It was huge and its probaly there in that pile!
LOL

 

[N4HXL]

Ubc

There is a store in Alabama named Unclaimed Baggage Center that buys lost luggage from airlines.
The airline holds luggage for a period of time before it sells it. UBC holds items for another six months before they put it up for sale.
I have bought some high dollar flyrods from them. They have Rolex watches and other expensive items. They also put some items on ebay. They recently they had a Jacoby cue listed. Google for there web pages

 

[GADawg]

That is where I had it out with one of the SW employees, however they have told me it is $2800 per bag, so if one doesn't show, I pray the other one doesn't either.... unless it's my cues. Screw my clothes.

I missed this the first time through.

Are you saying that you have two bags missing, one of which is the cues?

That would give me some hope that both bags were put on the wrong cart and plane together and may come back. While not impossible, it is hard for me to visualize somebody stealing two bags from the same guy.

Hope you get them back soon.

 

[jayman]

This guy can probably help you. Thats what he does. call Tom martino on his troubleshooter show 9:00 am to 12:00 pm m-f mountain std time. 630 khow am in denver co. he takes this stuff very seriously and has connections and lawyers that are very strong. If you seriously want them back CALL HIM!!

-Jay-

 

[1pRoscoe]

I missed this the first time through.

Are you saying that you have two bags missing, one of which is the cues?

That would give me some hope that both bags were put on the wrong cart and plane together and may come back. While not impossible, it is hard for me to visualize somebody stealing two bags from the same guy.

Hope you get them back soon.

That's exactly the only reason why I am not crying.... again. If only my cues were missing, you'd see me in a panic, however due to the elapsed time, I'm still not holding much hope at all....

Thank God I was wearing my watch, I almost just stuck it in my suitcase..

 

[hangemhigh]

All in the AZ family?

This guy can probably help you. Thats what he does. call Tom martino on his troubleshooter show 9:00 am to 12:00 pm m-f mountain std time. 630 khow am in denver co. he takes this stuff very seriously and has connections and lawyers that are very strong. If you seriously want them back CALL HIM!!

-Jay-

That Tom Martino,is he kin to Wincue?

 

[SirBanksALot]

Can't Let You Out Of The House

I completely agree, I think their disclaimer is bs and I will make this a civil matter if need be.....

PM's sent to a few of you... thanks again.

Ross-EXACT thing happened with Southwest about this time last year but it was two sets of golf clubs. We hassled, they hassled-in the end, an attorney acquaintance wrote them a letter and we got back REPLACEMENTvalue. Document your calls, who you talked to etc etc etc.

I will certainly give a Bill of Sale on the AE.

If you need to borrow a cue for while, let me know, I'll PM you what I have and I'll send it up your way.

** Don't know why but I have a gut feeling you're going to get them back.**

Keith

 

[COLLECTION GURU]

Sorry You Have No Case

When I Proposed Last Year For Pool Players To Mass Mail The Tsa As They Prevent Cues From Being Carry-on Items I Was Chopped Up By Many Az'ers. Mark Griffin And I Have Discussed Organizing A Huge Campaign To Get The Tsa Idiots To Permit Cues On Board As Carry On Or Worse Case, Check At The Gate. I Have Been Sending Memo's And Stopped At The Tsa Headquarters And Talked To A Jerry Springer Ex-guest Like Person; He Was Lost In Life I Think.

No One Will Ever Take Over A Plane With A Cue Thanks To The Heroes Who Crashed In Pennsylvania To Stop The Plane To The White House. I Feel Bad For You But When You Hear Of Our Campaign, Get Your Friends To Participate To Change The Banned List To Exclude 2 Piece Pool Cues. Best Of Luck But Doubt You Have A Case; Check To See If Your Homeowners Policy Covers Personal Items, Write-off Loss Value From Taxes, Small Claims Court May Get You A Judgement For The State Maximum Cheaply.

Collection Guru

 

[jay helfert]

Just keep in mind that disclaimers and releases only exist to discourage the filing of claims - they do not absolve the organization of responsibility. So, for every one person who follows up on their threat to sue, there are easily 20 that don't even file a claim. So, in that respect, it's simply good business to issue them.

They may be able to ignore you, but they won't be able to ignore a court.

Good info here.

 

[ridewiththewind]

When I Proposed Last Year For Pool Players To Mass Mail The Tsa As They Prevent Cues From Being Carry-on Items I Was Chopped Up By Many Az'ers. Mark Griffin And I Have Discussed Organizing A Huge Campaign To Get The Tsa Idiots To Permit Cues On Board As Carry On Or Worse Case, Check At The Gate. I Have Been Sending Memo's And Stopped At The Tsa Headquarters And Talked To A Jerry Springer Ex-guest Like Person; He Was Lost In Life I Think.

No One Will Ever Take Over A Plane With A Cue Thanks To The Heroes Who Crashed In Pennsylvania To Stop The Plane To The White House. I Feel Bad For You But When You Hear Of Our Campaign, Get Your Friends To Participate To Change The Banned List To Exclude 2 Piece Pool Cues. Best Of Luck But Doubt You Have A Case; Check To See If Your Homeowners Policy Covers Personal Items, Write-off Loss Value From Taxes, Small Claims Court May Get You A Judgement For The State Maximum Cheaply.

Collection Guru

Aren't you just a f'ing ray of sunshine!

 

[AZE]

I have a friend that works at the airport doing baggage. Tells me all kinds of stories about how the guys steal stuff. It's ridiculous. I would DEFFINETLY not ever check anything valuable on a plane. Just cloths and stuff I can afford to lose.
Everything else would get over-nighted to the address I was staying at.

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

Do I Have To Think Of EVERYTHING

You're missing $5,500 worth of cues and noone has given you the solution yet, so I'm stepping up to the plate. This one was a no brainer for me.

Simply offer a $2,000 Reward for the return of your cues...."No Questions Asked." Then, just sit back and wait for their return.
Doug
( and ask Eydie to help you )

 

[lfigueroa]

Does anyone know where you can get a good 3-pice cue. If there's any out there, it would fit in my luggage and I would not have to worry about somethng like this happening to me.

These kinds of horror stories are exactly why I had a travel cue made up several years ago. Sheldon Lebow, http://www.sheldoncue.com/ made it for me. I had it made to the same specs -- tip, ferrule, taper, balance, length, weight -- as my playing cue. It fits in my luggage, I check it, it doesn't draw any attention, and plays great. And if it got "lost," I'd feel bad, but not as bad as if I lost my custom Gina and alligator Whitten...

Lou Figueroa

 

[1pRoscoe]

Well I just finished writing a 3 page letter (not located yet either...) and I'm about to send a copy to all of the executive staff.... I am waiting the 5 day period they have requested, though difficult.

<-- Not quiet type of guy..