Jetliner Dumps Luggage Over Chicago

Several Bags Missing After Plane's Cargo Door Opens In Mid-Flight

(CBS/AP)  Several pieces of luggage are missing from a Delta Airlines flight that left Chicago's Midway Airport yesterday, and authorities say they apparently fell out somewhere over the Chicago area.

The Delta flight operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines was forced to circle back to Midway shortly after takeoff after the crew detected a problem with pressure in the cabin. A cargo door was improperly secured and two bags fell out.

After making made an emergency landing back at Midway, the crew determined that one of two cargo doors on the 70-seat regional jet had opened during the flight, causing the pressure problem and allowing the bags to escape, Delta Director of Corporate Communication, Maria Schnabel told CBS Station WBBM.

The Atlanta-bound flight was carrying 63 passengers.

No one was hurt, and passengers were reassigned to another flight.

The missing luggage hasn't been found.

[brianbwb-2009]

Here are a couple of reasons why there ought to be a revamp of the luggage liability rules, I am a musician, my electric basses are too long for cabin, so they must be checked.

I have twice had them stolen (lost) at airport baggage terminals, and the reimbursement is on a "per pound" basis. Assuming the $3,000 instrument weighs twenty pounds, the reimbursement won''t even be a down payment for a replacement.

It becomes profitable for airlines to set up a theft ring, to steal items that can be sold for more than their per pound value, and the profit shared.

Recent drug ring busts in NY show that there is incentive for this kind of activity, and the airport management can pretend to be above the fray, blaming it on independent employees, while also collecting a "piece of the action".

[drivelphobe]

Delta will argue about what was in the luggage and if the customer doesn''t have pictures, he''ll get the standard payment.

They should give him a check for $25,000 and feel lucky. (Tax-free)

[trenticus-2009]

well if it fell on the South side the luggage will NEVER be found... Some crackhead scored a dime bag!

[stephengosson]

In a cockpit chock-full of ***, buttons, toggles, etc., how about a simple "ding-ding" bell like my car has to remind me that a door is ajar?
It''s mighty disappointing that a ground crewmember simply walked away without properly securing the cargo door. It''s yet another publicized incident that terorists can take note of and consider.
Bummer.

[wordamus]

Remember Delta Stands for "Don''t expect luggage to arrive." And guess what, folks, those bags will not arrive. Moreover, expect Delta to fight the passengers, whose luggage was "lost," for payment.

If you can''t get there by car...DON''T GO!!!

[mswolfestock]

Thank goodness nobody was hurt . . . . (right?) That would have been a tough one to explain: "Hello, 911 - I just saw a guy get hit by a flying suitcase!" They''d want to lock up the caller for a psyco evaluation.

[dragonmouse-2009]

Well that''s a case of missing luggage that will never be found!