American Airlines has embargoed all excess, oversize, and overweight baggage on flights to Santo Domingo, Santiago and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti. This policy is causing conflicts with relief efforts.
A giant bag of medical supplies by the San Diego based Rescue Task Force (RTF) non-profit relief agency was recently turned away. Ironically, even though excess baggage payment was offered.
According to the airline, "Excess, oversize, and overweight baggage will not be accepted for flights to the destinations covered by the bag embargo. Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and surfboards, may be checked as part of the total checked-bag allowance, although additional charges may apply."
"American and American Eagle's intent is to provide the best customer service possible and to consider the needs of all passengers," said Peter Dolara, Senior Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. "There are limits on the amount of baggage that can be carried in the cabin and cargo areas based on the size of the aircraft."
CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) A Spanish rescue worker and his dog search for survivors amid rubble in Port-au-Prince (Photo Credit - EPA); (BELOW RIGHT) Passengers boarding American Eagle jet at San Diego Airport commuter terminal (Photo Credit - Joel Siegfried); (BELOW LEFT) A man wearing a shirt indicating the various relief missons he has been involved in around the world helps to clear rubble at what was once the Hotel Montana in Haiti (Photo Credit - AFP/Getty)
Three videos and a slide show on rescue efforts in Haiti follows this article.
Recent articles: Be sure to read expanded coverage on recent news events below.
Baggage fees by airlines compared
Flu shots at San Diego Airport
Passengers from hell are chosen
Airport scanners and child porn
Noise matters at San Diego Airport
From Gilligan to bomb threats
Slovak airline bomb foul up
Newark intruder caught on video
Free parking near San Diego Airport
EWR incident + Obama address
TSA delays enforcing REAL ID Act
More full body scanners on the way
2009 aviation year in review
NWA 253 is a reminder of Lockerbie
NWA 253 stormed over toilet scare
Robot taxis are on their way
Terrorist attack on NWA flight 253
AA flight 331 crash lands in Jamaica
Balloon Boy's parents get jail time
Gag holiday catalog from JetBlue
JetBlue Tailfin contest needs votes
Boeing 787 & Airbus A350 compared
Dreamliner high tech features
Boeing 787 Dreamliner first flight
Airlines spread holiday cheer
Airport hotels go high tech
Sacha Boutros jazz gig at SD Airport
Advice about flying while pregnant
New details on Southwest midair birth
Baby born on Southwest flight
Airport Board updates travel policies
American Airlines claims it is making an effort to ensure all customers' bags are accommodated on their scheduled flight. The embargo will be in effect between January 14 and February 14, 2010. Travelers to these destinations will be allowed to check two pieces of baggage of normal checked-bag size and weight, up to 50 pounds and 62 dimensional inches each. Customers will also be allowed one properly sized carry-on bag.
The San Diego rescue team wanted to bring three additional pieces of luggage. The group’s team leader, Darryl Hall, said that American representatives informed him the airline would not let them pay for extra luggage, saying the only exceptions were media bringing media camera bags, not medical supplies. According to Hall, the medicine the team is carrying was specifically requested by doctors and emergency personnel already on the ground in Haiti.
In response, the carrier released this statement, "Putting such supplies onboard and in the cargo hold could prevent other passengers from taking the luggage and bags they are entitled to. Supplies are best shipped through relief agencies with cargo planes or through one of the normal shipping services."
Rescue Task Force executive officer Andrea Stone said the group's leader, Darryl Hall pleaded their case to airline personnel but according to Stone, "They weren't willing to work with us at all. It did get frustrating."
However, determination and perseverance by the group prevailed. They repacked the much needed supplies into their allowable baggage, leaving behind non essential items. They took their 12 bags. two per person, and made them larger by folding in other items. One member put on his work boots and left his tennis shoes behind. Two people turned their tents into carry-on luggage.
Perhaps American Airlines, like Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, which resumed stopping at Labadee Beach, their private island in Haiti as reported by Lea Ann Fessenden, the Caribbean Travel Examiner, are oblivious to the public relations and humanitarian impact of their actions. It would be better for the airline to embargo golf clubs and surfboards during this crisis.
Let us know your thoughts on this incident. Please leave comments below or by email and subscribe to get future updates.
Comments
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. How ridiculous that American Airlines would not adjust their policy so medical supplies could be brought into Haiti by this aid group. There is a desperate shortage of medical equipment there, and you'd think any company would want good PR by helping to bring these goods to the crisis zone.
Wow, Joel... this is an important story to get out. The video is a great enhancement to the article. Thanks for posting this info.
Heartless, horrible, and ridiculous. Great article, Joel.
I would have thought they arranged all of this in advance with the airline. Shouldn't they be accepting fewer passengers in order to accommodate the relief supplies? One of your videos is possessed by the way; it just started playing on its own and scared the daylight out of me at 6:45 AM!
This is a tough situation. If they accept the bags and then do not have enough room for people who paid money for their seat and bags they have a huge customer service problem. I agree with the airline on this. Supplies should go through cargo planes earmarked for relief and passenger planes should carry passengers. Anyways, it appeared they found a way to figure it out themselves. Good reporting on this interesting situation.
Another reason to not fly American Airlines!!
Appears their initial concern should be their paying customers baggage needs...on the other hand, it seems they are making no effort to make a few simple adjustments to assist a suffering population. There's some dilemmas here..nice article ,Joel..thanks for sharing the info
Cheers..
Great article Joel. I can't believe some of the stuff that's going on, hampering relief efforts. Well done.
Posed originally 7 days ago as a comment on Linkedin AviationLink:
I want to publicly state that this is a total disgrace. They should be ashamed of themselves. I will avoid that airline when flying commercially and tell everyone I know about this. EVERY Part 121 operation should be doing whatever is necessary to help this effort. BUSINESS AVIATION IS!!!!!!!
Susan C. Friedenberg - President & CEO
Corporate Flight Attendant Training & Services
www.CorporateFlightAttendantTraining.com
Posted originally 7 days ago as a comment on Linkedin AviationLink:
PART I
Folks,
I am utterly and completely outraged at the American Airline stance on this and for them to come out and publicly state and I quote:
"According to the airline, "Excess, oversize, and overweight baggage will not be accepted for flights to the destinations covered by the bag embargo. Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and surfboards, may be checked as part of the total checked-bag allowance, although additional charges may apply."
SO, I can bring my golf clubs, surfboards, etc. and pay extra but I can't bring need medicine and aid to Haiti? I think the Senior Management at AA should hold their heads low and they certainly should apologize for their ignorance.
Ms. Moman who works for AA should be very ashamed of the company she works for.
Continued ...
Dick Hall IT Deployment Principal at State Street Global Advisors and Owner, Cyber Space Connection
It didn't take them long to correct this stupid mistake!!
Posted originally 7 days ago as a comment on Linkedin AviationLink:
PART II
AA prices are the highest of all airlines, it seems they are the most rude, arrogant and uncaring airline around. They used to be very good. What happened?
I always thought charity work was tax deductible. I wonder if AA understand the word charity?
Also I have seriously been thinking of starting up a website boycotting AA since they don't deserve to be in business.
One other quote for the news article and from AA
"American Airlines claims it is making an effort to ensure all customers' bags are accommodated on their scheduled flight. The embargo will be in effect between January 14 and February 14, 2010. Travelers to these destinations will be allowed to check two pieces of baggage of normal checked-bag size and weight, up to 50 pounds and 62 dimensional inches each. Customers will also be allowed one properly sized carry-on bag."
Hmm, golf clubs over medical supplies... Let me think about thi
Posted originally 7 days ago as a comment on Linkedin AviationLink:
Continued ...
PART III
Let me think about this. Oh, I know, golf clubs can be used as splints to set broken bones, that's what it is, NOT.
I think after this the Senior management of AA should re-brand their name to Non American Airlines, that works much better for me.
Sorry for my ranting but there are 2 million people in need and everyone needs to step up to the plate and AA is no different.
Thanks.
Rich Hall, A&P
Dick Hall IT Deployment Principal at State Street Global Advisors and Owner, Cyber Space Connection
Posted originally 7 days ago as a comment on Linkedin AviationLink Group:
This is getting ridiculous. As much as I agree, I will personally take this to AA senior management. I am told the agent totally misunderstood the company policy, and will follow up to this board as soon as I can.
Randall Stephens CEO, ADBIRDS Design & Market Inc.
Posted 6 days ago on Linkedin Aviation/Link Group:
I was upset to hear about this.
Could the agent not have put the excess baggage down as golf clubs, surfing items, scuba gear. In the Britain we have something called the "Ways and Means Act" and as it states there is way and means round anything. For instance that defibrillator looks remarkably like that new electronic putter I saw on TV. The stretcher - must be an innovative surf board. If I had been there all that kit would have been cleared as golf, surf and scuba equipment. Did common sense leave the building with Elvis? Wake up smell the coffee and act accordingly. One has to learn how to organize a drinking party in a brewing establishment, when you can do that life is a lot easier, trust me!
Dave Hunter
Owner, EastWest Aviation
Posted 3 days ago on Linkedin Aviation/Link Group:
As of last night...according to the agent I spoke with... embargo lifted.
Craig Kempf CEO & Creative Director, CK Communications, Inc. (CKC) Advertising, Design and Public Relations
Comment posted 3 days ago on Linkedin Aviation/Link Group:
I still wouldn't fly AA, given a choice.
Brian Joseph DMELLO Looking for a job / business venture ...
Comment posted 2 days ago on Linkedin Aviation/Link Group:
No answer yet. As this is a fluid situation, and though "I" do not speak for them we shall probably see an answer from AA' management. AA has flown a number of relief flights to and from Haiti at every opportunity, hauling TONS of supplies.
I do know it takes a system to run a major and complex operation. Sometimes, mistakes are made and people get things wrong. I personally believe AA has been a responsible player in our society and often demonstrates the ability to learn from mistakes when they do occur, whatever happened here.
On the balance, from the video I can see the members of the Rescue Task Force had been told in advance what they could and could not take on the flight. The cargo hold was no doubt loaded to the max, and every pound counts on a long flight, particularly at the takeoff segment when the plane is heaviest.
I do not feel AA deserves a black eye.
Randall Stephens CEO, ADBIRDS Design & Market
Petty bureaucrats.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!