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September 5, 2008 11:19:03 PM CDT

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Why Airlines Lose Your Bags

Posted Nov 21, 07 5:26 PM CST in US 

(Newser) – On the busiest single travel day of the year, the New York Times explores why the odds of your bags arriving safely at the carousel of your destination are still declining, despite costly efforts at many airlines to improve performance. So far this year, airlines have  misplaced one bag out of every 138, compared to one in 155 last year.  One culprit in lost baggage is apparently dirty barcode printer heads for the automatic sorting systems.

But the biggest factor is 6 years of airline downsizing that has cut the work force and time between connecting flights. "There's a lot of opportunity for failure," says American's baggage operations manager.

Sources New York Times, New York Times

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Guido Feruglio hauls luggage into the terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)   (Associated Press)
Holiday traveler Justin Lough, 4, carries his luggage through Portland International Airport as he and his family start their holiday Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, in Portland, Ore. One in every 138 checked...   (Associated Press)
Travelers line up to get their luggage in the Southwest Airlines baggage claim at the San Jose International airport in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)   (Associated Press)
Passengers wait in line at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Terminal 4, the airport's busiest, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2007 in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)   (Associated Press)
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