May 2008 Airline Complaints on Aeroflot, Northwest and United

Northwest Airlines: Subscriber Michael P. Austin says Northwest Airlines cost him $1,100 in shipping costs, plus a hotel stay in Winnipeg last August when the terminal manager refused to accept his caribou antlers as checked baggage. Despite Northwest's policy of accepting trophies for shipment, the terminal manager told him the antlers were a bio hazard. When Austin pointed out that the trophies were properly cleaned of all flesh and blood and were wrapped in cardboard and foam per Northwest's policy, the manager then said he would not accept them anyway because they exceeded restrictions for checked baggage. Austin says he missed his flight and had to spend a night in Winnipeg in order to find a local taxidermist to handle the shipment for him. He says he heard another group of hunters there had the same problem with Northwest, and the Customs agents there told him they hear about this problem on a regular basis. Austin complained to Northwest Customer Service who told him that the acceptance of antlers as checked baggage was at the terminal manager's discretion. Austin says hunters should either avoid Northwest Airlines or make alternate arrangements for their trophies ahead of time. We confirmed Northwest's policy about accepting antlers as baggage, by the way. Antlers and sports equipment up to 70 pounds may be checked. Anything heavier than that must be shipped as cargo. Northwest reserves the right to refuse any piece of........(continued)