Bag mishandling reported on the rise

SACRAMENTO BEE
DALLAS -- Reports of mishandled baggage -- those classified as late, lost, damaged or pilfered -- soared in September among all U.S. carriers, rising 81 percent, compared with the same month a year ago. In the same period, Southwest baggage complaints jumped 87 percent.
And with the hectic holiday travel season beginning, it could get much worse.
Most airlines say tightened airport security, in the wake of an alleged terrorist plot in London to blow up U.S.-bound airplanes, forced more passengers to check their baggage, rather than carry it onboard.
"It's because there was an unanticipated spike in the number of checked bags," said Richard Gritta, a University of Portland business professor specializing in airline issues. "And it's going to be bad over Christmas. I'm glad I'm not flying."