Suitcase saga

Luggage at heart of compensation story found in New Brunswick

The lost luggage caper has taken another twist.

First, Lynne Thiele, 66, of Stratford went public complaining that Maritime Bus was offering only $100 for her two suitcases that went missing when she took a shuttle on July 1 from the Halifax Airport to Charlottetown.

On Tuesday, the company upped the compensation significantly by agreeing to pay the full cost of replacing all of the traveller’s items, which Thiele estimated to be valued at about $3,500.

Maritime Bus president Mike Cassidy told The Guardian Wednesday that a cheque had been prepared for Thiele.

But there has since been another development.

The luggage has been located at the Aulac Big Stop Restaurant in New Brunswick.

Thiele transferred to another bus in Aulac, but apparently her luggage was somehow left behind.

“There is a misstep here somewhere,’’ says Cassidy.

“I don’t know what happened other than the bags will be here (in Charlottetown) at supper hour (Wednesday).’’

The company and Thiele had both believed that the luggage had been stolen. “So there is no theft,’’ says Cassidy. “The good news is it is an error of some sort and the bags are found.’’

Loretta Simmonds, manager of the Aulac Big Stop convenience store, says staff found the luggage inside the store on July 1.

A tag on one suitcase had Thiele’s name and address but not her phone number. A message was sent through FaceBook but no reply was received.

Simmonds adds no thought was given to calling Maritime Bus or any other bus company because the location is not a usual bus stop.

“I’m glad that she’s getting (the suitcases) back, absolutely,’’ says Simmonds.

“I’m surprised that it took that long. It is nice luggage, so I assumed someone would be calling before too long.’’

Thiele is baffled learning that her luggage was left at the store.

“I thought (the bus driver) put it on the bus, (but) I wouldn’t be the best witness at an accident,’’ she notes. “It boggles the mind how it could be sitting there for that long.’’

“Hopefully this is the end of the story,’’ she adds.

“It is wonderful to have the things I love back.’’

Cassidy says the incident has prompted him to make some changes, including a more generous policy for lost baggage and implementation of a daily tracking system to keep better tabs on parcels and luggage.

“I thought (the bus driver) put it on the bus, (but) I wouldn’t be the best witness at an accident. It boggles the mind how it could be sitting there for that long. Hopefully this is the end of the story. It is wonderful to have the things I love back.’’ Lynne Thiele