Woman Hears Loud Banging From the Bottom of Her Southwest Airlines. While Collecting Luggage, Her Stroller Has Only 3 Wheels: ‘Stuff of Nightmares’
Midnight adventure
I always subconsciously assume the worst when I take a flight somewhere because, honestly, there are so many things that could go wrong. I might arrive late at the airport, discover during baggage check that I am not allowed to carry certain items, find out my baggage is overweight, miss my flight, experience heavy turbulence, and the list goes on. Luckily, in the few flights I’ve taken, I’ve never encountered such problems.
However, TikTok user @mommaflorencia unfortunately did. But her problems aren’t like the ones I listed, as they are very specific to her experience as a mother. To give a quick summary before the main story, Flo took a Southwest Airlines flight from point A to B. Upon arrival, while waiting for her luggage, she discovered that the stroller belonging to her child had lost a wheel due to mishandling by airline staff. Even worse, they found out they wouldn’t be compensated for the damage and were instead given a $100 voucher.
TikTok user @mommaflorencia angrily rants about her Southwest Airlines experience
Just five days ago, @mommaflorencia posted a video about her experience flying with Southwest Airlines. Though she didn’t specify her departure and destination points, she went into detail about her experience.
Before moving to the main story, @mommaflorencia said she got home past 1 pm, as her flight arrived at the airport around 11:30 pm., instead of the scheduled 10:50 p.m. Then, cut to the main plot, Flo explained that after the plane landed and she was still seated, she heard loud banging noises from underneath the plane, coinciding with the time when luggage was supposed to be unloaded. Describing the noise as if workers were playing shot put with each other, Flo said the luggage sounded like it was being tossed and thrown around.
Later, when she and her husband (who was also traveling with her) got off the plane and looked for a “cutesy” stroller belonging to their child at the jet bridge. To their shock, they found it had three wheels instead of four, with the missing wheel sitting on top. Flo described the stroller’s condition, saying it looked like it had been hit by a car, not just lost a wheel.
Then, after a significant struggle, Flo and her husband went to the luggage center and reported what had happened. They told the airline staff that, on their flight, a few people representing the airline had reported that the individuals handling the stroller had been tossing it carelessly. The woman at the luggage center then offered Flo a $100 voucher plus a “sick” discount for her next flight. While Flo seemed content with the offer, as evidenced by her reaction in her video upon learning the news, she wanted more from the situation. As revealed by her after this, Flo emailed Southwest Airlines to complain about the incident. However, she worries she may not get a reply or that they won’t accept responsibility.
People on TikTok have shown support for @mommaflorencia
Many commenters have reacted to @mommaflorencia’s video. User @alyssa.turner05 said, “this is the stuff of nightmares.” @k8ate commented, “No but Southwest do better.” @alyssa.turner05 also said, “$100 voucher?!?!?! that gets me absolutely nothing.”
Several tagged Southwest Airlines and urged them to consider Flo’s case. User @alexandraaire wrote, “@Southwest Airlines you need to reimburse her for her flights AND get her a new stroller. this is not cute.” @kaelibrieann added, “@Southwest Airlines please make this right this makes me not want to travel with my family.”
What is the standard protocol for reporting damaged luggage with Southwest Airlines?
According to their official website, damaged baggage must be reported in person at Southwest Airlines’ Baggage Service Office. If you’ve already left the airport, you should return with your baggage to report damage. For domestic flights, claims must be made within 24 hours of the flight’s arrival or the baggage receipt.
For domestic flights, the airline isn’t liable for manufacturer defects or minor damage from normal wear and tear, such as scratches, dents, or dirt. They also aren’t responsible for carry-on baggage or items in overstuffed bags.
For international flights, mishandling must be reported within seven days for damage and twenty-one days for delays.
(featured image: (TikTok/@ mommaflorencia)
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