Holidaying Guyanese, 75, seeking compensation from CAL over missing bag

Two weeks after one of her suitcases went missing and another was broken into, a Caribbean Airlines passenger is pleading for help from airline authorities.

Jane Persaud, 75, of New York and West Coast Demerara, said she has been tirelessly trying to get assistance from the airline but her efforts have so far been in vain as she has gotten a continuous push around.

Persaud arrived in Guyana on November 13 on a Caribbean Airlines flight from New York. The woman explained that after clearing Guyana’s immigration services, she sat in a wheel chair waiting for her bags but only received one.

Upon checking, she said she realized the lock was broken and the second suitcase was nowhere to be found.

“I paid US$40 for the second suitcase and unto now I cannot get it. They are not finding the bag and they are not telling me anything,” she lamented.

According to Persaud, she cannot understand what contributed to her suitcase being missing.

She stated that it was a smooth process at JFK airport. However, when they reached Guyana the aircraft could not land and it went to Trinidad and Tobago.

She stated that they spent at least five hours in

Trinidad and Tobago before returning to Guyana. She is suspicious that the suitcase might have been misplaced there.

Persaud said she waited several hours at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after arriving as she waited on the airline agent to make enquiries.

The woman explained that after she did not get her bags, she left and went home. The following day she visited the Caribbean Airlines Guyana Office hoping for some help but she got nowhere. She stated that she has since visited the office five times and has been unable to get a positive response.

She went on to state that she was given several baggage claim forms to also fill but even that has not yielded success.

“It is very frustrating because I had all my medication and clothing. Now I have to buy everything because I have nothing. I always come around this time and stay for some months so I bring all the medication I need,” she related.

The woman stressed that the suitcase that is missing also contained a number of brand name items which she had bought for her family and friends as Christmas gifts.

“Over time I bought stuff and bring for my children and grandchildren.

It is Nike boots, Levi pants, brand name shirts and clothing for my grandchildren to go school party,” she explained before stating that the suitcase contained over US$1,000 worth of items.

“It is very frustrating because I also bring some items for people and they keep calling every day to ask if I get the bag. I just want the airline to compensate me so I [would] be able to refund people for their package or buy it back and give them,” the pensioner lamented.

The woman also stated that in the 30 years she has been travelling with Caribbean Airlines, this is the first time she has faced such challenges and uncooperative customer service.

Stabroek News was unable to contact Caribbean Airlines for a comment.