Lost your luggage? Condor crap flying!

Dear Condor Mistfliegen,

I would like to thank you very much for losing my luggage. It’s not just Condor that loses luggage, it can happen to any airline. But the concentrated incompetence that you Condor dung flies have been offering for the last 20 days has knocked the bottom out of every barrel of my almost 100 flights so far.

I would like to thank Condor for losing my luggage, because you have finally given me the opportunity to really hurt a big company as a small individual. You love flying? I love page views!

Condor & kite luggage

I gave Condor the exact flight details directly via the website before booking. I asked: “Exactly this flight, last leg with Copa Airlines: How much does it cost to take my kiteboard luggage to Panama?”. Condor: “75 € for the entire route.” I am happy to forgive Condor the 82 euros charged for kiteboard luggage. Pipifak compared to everything else.

Condor’s false statement regarding the carriage of kite luggage to the end of the route was unforgivable. Contrary to Condor’s statement, Copa Airlines would have charged an extra $100 for the last leg of the journey. Had, because Copa Airlines refused to take any kite luggage on my known Condor flight dates. It only cost me 7.5 hours in Copa Airlines’ hotlines and chat plus 550€ for a split kiteboard to find out. Nevertheless, I thank Condor for the free transport and for not losing this luggage.

Condor baggage loss report

Condor only lost my luggage with all my clothes, hiking equipment and important medication. I immediately had a Condor employee in Puerto Rico file the baggage loss report. In addition, I filled out the Condor online baggage loss form immediately after my arrival in Panama City.

The very first response to the loss of baggage from Condor came after just four days. A little later: “Your baggage will be on the next Condor flight to Panama and will be delivered to your hotel in Punta Chame on 6 February.”

Lost luggage: Condor fails in Panama. Day 6.

Punta Chame is only 100 kilometres north of Panama City. I cancelled hotels I had already paid for 400 km further north, as I didn’t trust Condor to transport lost luggage over long distances to really remote mountain regions. The cost for two more days in the hotel was $140. Surely you’ll pay me, Condor, right? Despite another 2 hours on the Condor hotline and several emails, Condor did not deliver the lost luggage. I travelled on.

Condor loses luggage: failed again in Costa Rica, San Jose. Day 13

Over the next few days, Condor assured me in several emails that my lost luggage would be delivered to San Jose, Costa Rica by 13 February. It would already be in Panama City. I arrived in San Jose by bus and took a taxi to the airport for $25. Condor had given me the number of an employee there who would have my lost luggage. I called him from the information desk: “I don’t work for Condor. I can’t help you with any lost baggage.” 25$ taxi back to the centre. Will you pay me that, Condor? Costa Rican taxis generally don’t issue invoices.

Lost baggage with Condor: 3rd failed transfer. Day 18.

After a few more emails, Condor is able to contact my new accommodation at Laguna Arenal for the first time. I found this really impressive, especially as I was sure that Condor would again fail to deliver my luggage by day 18 of my trip. And they did. No luggage again, but at least the assurance by e-mail that Condor was no longer so sure where my lost luggage was. Presumably not in Panama or Costa Rica.

Condor claims settlement for lost luggage

In the meantime, I have a cheerful conversation with Condor’s claims department. Condor does not reimburse toiletries as a matter of principle. There were three strong Sunscreeners in my luggage. Even with sunscreen, which is always expensive in such countries, I had a hell of a sunburn after three days of kitesurfing. I therefore intend to charge Condor €390 in compensation for an even worse one without sunscreen.

If the baggage is lost, Condor only pays for some of the clothing. You would continue to use it after the journey. Tell me Condor, do you seriously think that after this infinite patheticness of your customer service that I will ever expect Condor to deliver these clothes to my home? If so: Google “lost luggage Condor” and read the story at number one.

If you have any comments on lost luggage with Condor: keep them coming!

Update 21.1.15: Finally. Three weeks later, Condor finally delivers the baggage.

Update 20.3.15: Condor has paid € 490 of the submitted € 580 costs for three weeks of lost luggage. Thank you!