“Ordinary Handling”: Alaska Airlines Initially Offers $50 After Tearing Passenger’s Suitcase Apart

A passenger traveling with Alaska Airlines discovered that his checked suitcase had been “shredded” upon his arrival at San Francisco. Such incidents are rare, but can still happen, and in this case, Alaska Airlines initially offered just $50 in future flight credit as a “customer service gesture,” as reported by NBC10. The airline referred to the damage as “ordinary handling”, but later offered to replace the bag.

The initial response irked the traveler, who found the compensation and label of "ordinary handling" insufficient for the condition of his suitcase. It's unclear what exactly led to the damage; NBC requested to view Alaska's baggage handling areas, but the carrier was unable to accommodate. Alaska Airlines also warns on its website that bags can go missing or sustain dam