Southwest Airlines
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INTENTIONAL VANDALISM OF EXPENSIVE CHECKED LUGGAGE
I flew out of DCA on 18 June 2019 on Southwest flight #0573 at 6:45 am for FLL with my best friend. Prior to boarding, I checked my aluminum RIMOWA suitcase with e-Tag (a limited edition case that was very expensive and is no longer available). This was only my second time using the suitcase, and it was in very good condition prior to checking it with Southwest (only a few minor scratches that were indistinguishable unless you were looking for them). When we arrived in FLL and collected the bag, both of us were shocked. The suitcase is very durable (as it’s made out of heavy metal and does not dent or ding easily), and it was obvious that someone had repeatedly hit it with hard objects to damage it. There is even a perfectly round indentation now under where the top handle lies against the case (and there was nothing round attached to the handle). The case is dented and damaged beyond belief, including breaking the e-Tag display so that green liquid is seen dripping down the sides of it. I immediately contacted Southwest and reported the damage. I was instructed to submit all kinds of documentation and photographs to them so that my claim could be considered. I have dozens of pictures of the damage that was done. Southwest has not even considered my claim. They have ignored all of the intentional damage that I have documented, claiming instead that it is normal wear and tear. My travel companion can verify that the bag that I checked in was nowhere near the condition of the bag that I picked up when we arrived at our vacation destination. They are refusing to take responsibility because the suitcase was so expensive. Their claims of normal wear and tear are dishonest and fraudulent. Anyone traveling with anything of value should think twice before flying with these crooked vandals.