[CQ-Contest] Contest-Pedition FRAGILE Luggage Labels

[Eric Hilding]

Charlie, KG2V, wrote:

> Back in the old days (way pre 9-11) a friend used to label his gear with
"Biohazzard" trefoils - for some reason, his gear always came out in great 
> shape.  Now days, you probably couldn't even ship your stuff

My original labels were larger, and contained the following text (actually
had several variations thereof) underneath the word FRAGILE:

IONOSPHERIC RESEARCH RADIO EQUIPMENT

I axed this text off and went Generic as thought it might create some
complications in the multiple-hop transit to FJ/St. Barths (I thought
another NCCCer and I would have been there several days ago, but I got the
flu and Bronchitis (sp?) and am still on the mend here).

Someone please kick me for not take actual video footage as I watched the
guy throwing luggage several feet into the air loading the plane at SEATAC
when he was standing only one foot from conveyor belt.  This would have made
a nice CD or DVD burn for Fedex'ing to Alaska's CEO.

In all fairness to the Alaska Airlines (it turns out they have been
bombarded with baggage damage complaints and claims due to the sub-standard
sub-contractors), they did step up to the plate for issues on my first trip
with San Jose->Seattle->Ketchikan->Seattle->Spokane->Seattle->San Jose legs.

1. My sturdy fold-over garmet bag was thrashed in two different places on
two different legs (also involving Alaska's Horizon Air).  They paid for a
complete repair and air express return to me (I paid original UPS shipping
to the repair company).

2. One of the latches on my hardshell golf (antenna) case was completely
sheared off.  They offered to reimburse me $200 for a new case, but I told
them the original one was purchased on sale at Big 5 for about $80 and that
I'd see if I could still get one for that price.  Big 5 had one left - for
somewhat less (they gave me an additional 10% discount), so emailed a .pdf
of the receipt and promptly got a check in the mail.  This part impressed
me! Of course, I had originally emailed photos of the damaged items to the
Customer Service Claims person I dealt with.

3. I took my ALS-600S on the 2nd trip: San
Jose->Seattle->Ketchikan->Seattle->San Jose.  It arrived in Ketchikan AOK
and worked flawlessly in the ARRL SS.  It stayed in the Pelican case after I
got back, until last week when it dawned on me that maybe I should check it
out before the tentative FJ trip.  Surprise-Surprise - the Power Supply unit
was now DOA, so shipped it off to Ameritron (although I had just recently
purchased a 2nd ALS-600S that was AOK but not planned for travel purposes
right now).

If Ameritron finds the DOA to be the result of a major impact that may have
jarred something loose, I *will* get a letter from them and go back to
Alaska Airlines again to seek $$$ for repair costs...along with pix of the
internal well-padded Pelican case layout.

By plastering the new FRAGILE stickers on the top, bottom sides and ends of
all cases (and taking photos), in the event of future problems on any other
airlines, I figure I'll be better prepared to fight any reimbursement
battles that might come up where I don't find the type of (surprising)
Customer Friendly service at Alaska Airlines.

>From now on, I plan to remove all radio equipment from cases and immediately
check things out when I get back!!!

FWIW & 73...

Rick, K6VVA