We are looking for the people who actually take the Coalition for Luggage Security seriously. Let’s review some recent airline news through their lens…
- On August 3rd, they noted that British Airways was forecast to lose over 1.3 million bags this year. British Airways has a less than stellar baggage handling record. Solution from the Coalition? You guessed it…
“All airlines should look for alternate means of luggage transportation to ease the congestion in airports and the daily loss rate,” said Josh Holm, Director of The Coalition for Luggage Security.
Alternate means? Let’s hear more…
- Three days later, they followed up on the ‘mounting problem’ with British Airways…
“I think this is a clear case demonstrating the massive inefficiencies of the commercial aviation luggage transportation system. If 22,000 lost suitcases are not enough to spur investigation into alternate means of luggage transportation, what will?” asked Josh Holm, Director of The Coalition for Luggage Security.
“When will our ‘sensible-thought’ lights begin to go on as they pertain to luggage? Separating luggage from passengers before flights has been our credo for almost a decade now. Travelers are getting the message, but when will airport security personnel, airlines, and governments get it? Will it take an explosion over this ridiculous and horrific luggage problem to eliminate this less than enlightened solution to an ongoing and worsening problem?” questioned Richard A. Altomare, President and Founder of The Coalition for Luggage Security, and CEO of Universal Express, Inc.
Now…travelers…have you gotten the message? Not yet?
- Then they commented on Easyjet announcing it will charge baggage fees on all bags, as many discount airlines in Europe and some in the US(Spirit and Skybus, to name two), currently do.
“We commend Easyjet and Ryanair on their decision to begin charging passengers for luggage check-in. Albeit a small step, it is a step in the right direction to rid our airports of unnecessary luggage,” said Josh Holm, Director of The Coalition for Luggage Security
“The implications of the decisions made by both of these companies show that they have recognized that there is in fact a problem and they are willing to address it by stepping out of the norm into untested waters. We are pleased to see that at least these two companies have made an attempt at a solution that does not involve new baggage scanners and more personnel. We are looking forward to Airlines in the United States learning from the examples of these two British Airlines and creating a global difference in the way people travel,” said Richard A. Altomare President and Founder of the Coalition for Luggage Security, and CEO of Universal Express, Inc.
This is hardly ‘untested waters’. This is called ancillary revenue…We agree that encouraging passengers to not bring unnecessary luggage is a good thing…but their move is a business decision…not an attempt to solve a social ill.
- Yesterday, the Coalition reported on the economic impact of another terrorist attack on the United States. According to them, backed up by the journal, Risk Analysis, based on an attack that shut down the aviation system…the impact of an attack could be up to $420 billion in damages.
“Let’s simply remember that baggage in an airport ticket line is an open invitation to such an incident. One unchecked bag on a plane could cause the same 420 billion dollar liability. Is our present luggage delivery system so efficient that Americans won’t examine a new method? If there were no bags in the airport the efforts of thousands of TSA officers could be redirected to passenger screening, checkpoint security, and even border detection,” said Richard A. Altomare, President and Founder of the Coalition for Luggage Security and CEO of Universal Express, Inc.
Luggage doesn’t kill people…people kill people. We are much more in favor of behavior detection techniques over obsessive screening. That said, we need to screen baggage, and streamline the process of screening.
- Finally, they supported the position of Congressman Filner(D-CA). They cite the Fox News version of the story…but draw very different conclusions than others might. Police were called to the United Airlines baggage claim office on the evening of the 19th. Filner apparently attempted to enter the employee-only area of the office, pushing aside an employee and refused to leave the area. Filner allegedly stormed into the baggage office when his luggage did not arrive quickly enough, and demanded to know where it was. When the agent advised to wait while they finished up with another customer, he refused to step back, and entered the off-limits area, reportedly saying, “I’m not going until I get my bag. You’re treating us like animals.†He is facing assault charges and his office has advised he will make a statement on his return from a trip to Iraq.
“Congressman Filner had finally had enough of the broken luggage system in America, and he did what thousands of travelers want to do — he spoke up and refused to be treated like a child by an unconcerned, uninformed, and perceived all-powerful airline employee…The 64-year-old Congressman, who was on his way to visit troops in Iraq, obviously remembered when airports were less restrictive and terrorist fears weren’t supposed to be transferred to uniformed security personnel. His behavior is one of a frustrated leader and is understandable under the circumstances. He should not be legally reprimanded for the incompetence and arrogance of specific luggage workers in that airport.
In a politically correct world, many may criticize the good Congressman for not refusing to step away when improperly ordered to do so by the same airline which lost his luggage in the first place. Violation of rights goes both ways and most travelers are exactly at that stage of frustration as they wait in lines, have their luggage lost regularly (57 every minute), and are having their right of free speech eliminated by our governmentally created, over-reactive fear, of terrorists in airports today.
Bravo for Congressman Filner’s remembrance of what it means to be a proactive American. Expect more and then improve upon it. That’s why our Coalition and its 40 members support and understand his act of frustration on the part of every abused traveler who is without his political position.
The Coalition does not necessarily condone walking into secured areas, or putting their hands on someone, but we do understand the frustration of travelers, particularly frequent travelers who are constantly manhandled, verbally abused by security and other workers, and who have their important items lost or misplaced. The system needs to change or unfortunately, the current system will see more and more of these types of situations, that quite frankly, it provokes,” concluded Mr. Altomare.
We are happy that the Coalition doesn’t condone Congressman Filner acting like a child. He was not reprimanded for speaking out over lost luggage. He was reprimanded for not waiting his turn in line to be helped, and instead trying to storm into a secure area. If after this, he felt frustrated and angry…he would be justified. He did not give the airline a chance to help him(assuming the account is true).
For Filner, he apparently has a history of bullying and aggressive behavior. He claims the story is “factually incorrect and the charges are ridiculous.” We look forward to his upcoming statement…although people are generally not called to court to answer for themselves if the story has no truth.
For the members of the Coalition…feel free to give your money to this organization as we continue to laugh at it. We await the arrival of someone who takes your statements seriously.