carrying on bags you are limited to one bag, and one personal item (purse or laptop bag) that's it.
I get so sick and tired of the idiots out there who carry on every belonging they have.
I fly every week - I check my bag every week - I have never had a problem with baggage handlers, and my bag gets randomly searched every other week (the fact that my stinky gym clothes are usually at the top of my bag may stop some searches but.. still..). It's other things that set my teeth on edge, generally peope who are incapable of reading signs about what they can and cannot carry on the plane
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If there was a rip in the bag when it came off the plane, he shoudl have filed a claim at the airport - the baggage office never closes. Airlines wont take responsibity for handles or wheels -but a rip, they will take responsibilty for.