Even the rich and famous are not exempt from the occasional bag loss, as demonstrated by tennis star Venus Williams and her recent struggle with American Airlines when her checked bag was sent to the wrong country.
Venus Williams Loses Her Bag On American Airlines
Williams was traveling to Canada for the 2023 Canadian Open, but American Airlines sent her bag to the Bahamas instead. In frustration, she posted the following note on Instagram:
Dear @americanair, I love flying with you all. I’m even in the million mile club! I’m not sure why you sent my bag to the Bahamas when I was traveling to Montreal. Now I have a match today. I’ve been trying to get my bags for 3 days now. I think I spent all my unlimited minutes calling you all which has become my full time job day and night. This has been so much fun!
Nothing entitled about this. And the story will ring familiar for many AA travelers who have also lost their bag this summer. It is not at all clear to me how or why American Airlines would send a bag destined for Montreal (YUL) to any airport in the Bahamas…there are no similar airport codes or cities that sound like “Montreal.”
Nevertheless, this had to be stressful ahead of her match, which she ultimately lost to 28-year-old American Madison Keys:
It took Madison Keys 9 match points to close out the match against Venus Williams
It’s just a reminder of what a champion she is.
No matter the score, she fights just as hard as she did when she won her first Wimbledon at 20 years old.
The woman. The myth. The legend.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 8, 2023
We still don’t know if her bag has been located.
CONCLUSION
The plight of Venus Williams is an important reminder that no one is exempt from lost baggage. While it is best to avoid checking a bag altogether, this is not always possible. When you do, put an AirTag or other tracker in your bag.
image: Ken Maynard // H/T: View From The Wing
Right after the pandemic I finally convinced my wife to not check bags again and only travel with carry on on our summer vacations. It has been so refreshing not to have to worry about my luggage and wonder if it will make it or not to my final destination. Even on a 2 weeks vacation to Europe, we only had carry ons that met EU standards plus a backpack. We always have connections and it makes the trip so less stressful and when you get out of the plane at your final destination you simply walk out to get your rental car. We usually bring a folded duffel bag with us in case we buy something or for dirty laundry so on the way back home we check that in but without any concerns if it will make it or not as it usually doesn’t have anything we would worry about. If you are on vacation, not having your bag when you land at your destination can be a huge issue as not all places will have a bunch of stores for you to shop for everything you are missing. Even on carry on we always have an AirTag just in case. That is also life changer.
Now, I have seen from inside the plane that each bag is scanned before it gets into the plane. Can’t they have some sort of notification to the baggage handler if that bag is not supposed to go in that flight so it can be pulled aside and routed to the correct plane?
Solid advice here. I also travel lightly after the pandemic. Especially since my Tumi 22” can fit everything that I need-two suit jackets, a couple pair of pants and shorts, a couple shirts, and even an extra pair of shoes. I also take advantage of laundry services at hotels since my company counts that as a travel expense.
If an airline loses your baggage, you really have nobody to blame but yourself. Checking a bag is a fools errand
I disagree. How would she bring all her sports equipment stuff in the cabin? It is a lot of stuff that a professional tennis player has to carry. Should she send by FedEx or UPS? Do you trust them? Best way is to drive your own stuff or fly private but that is not typically an option.
Sucks for her… way classier than her sister. Hope she gets her bags back.
What, exactly, is not classy about her sister?