From what I see, the tripod was checked in as is, without any hard case or protection (just wrapped in a plastic bag?)
If that's the case, then it's no surprise that it came in this condition - baggage handling (whether it's by the conveyor belt or manual) is a rough and harsh process.
For me, I always make it a point to ensure that my tripod is checked in together in a hard case luggage - as much as air travel "allows" for hand-carrying of tripods, you never know when that over-zealous customs officer decides to stop you from doing so...
Not defending anyone here, but SQ may not be the one who damaged the tripod. However, your best bet of recourse would be with SQ though.
I don't think it's SQ's fault even though they are the agent. You should blame CDG's ground handling. CDG is on the bottom of my list. :bsmilie:
bagggage conveyors, automated, not hand delivery....so that's a lot of tumbling for your tripod in plastic bag....probably jammed up or damage the baggage conveyor system.:nono:
tripod is a fragile item, it was not even in a carton box packing....baggage is handled differently from cargo, even cargo needs proper packing.....goodluck for your claims though.
I returned from a trip about 2-3 weeks ago. While at a French airport, I was told that I had to check-in my camera tripod even though it had followed me on board the plane on my travels around the world. Not wanting to argue with the non-English speaking French airport staff, i did as i was told against my better judgement, and checked it in. When I got back to Singapore, all three items that i checked in (2 suitcases and 1 tripod) were not on the conveyor belt.
While i got back my two suitcases two days later, my tripod only got delivered after about one week. Lo and behold, when i unwrapped the package, i found that two of the legs had broken off. One of them was bent and the other had the catches all broken (it was even crushed, like how one would press the end of a straw with thumb and index finger). Parts had broken off the tripod and were missing. It would not have looked so bad if a truck had run over it. I don't think i would have been able to do so much damage to it even if i deliberately wanted to destroy it.
Really makes one wonder how our luggage gets handled by airport staff. Good thing it was not my Manfrotto...
Amazing!
Crushed, with the rubber "foot" missing.
Broken leg...
Needless to say, the plastic catches were broken.
Anyway, like i said, i am glad it is not my Manfrotto...
Am currently making the claims with SQ and SATS, but i must say it is highly frustrating, and taking forever. It has been about 2 weeks already and still no news...so much for their customer service. There was also a few ****-ups with regard to sending it to my place, asking me to go down and pick up, sending me a claim form late, giving me the wrong reference numbers a few times...sigh.
Should've just flown China Eastern...haha. Except, i don't think they fly to France.
Thanks to all for your words of condolences...
I don't think the damage is caused by the conveyor belt. If it is, the tripod would have been delivered follow by a lawyer letter to demand for some form of compensation.hope it didn't cause any massive flight delay crisis.....:sweat:
I don't think the damage is caused by the conveyor belt. If it is, the tripod would have been delivered follow by a lawyer letter to demand for some form of compensation.