It is known that the more objects that are being handled the more likely that something is going to go array. When passengers were forced to check all luggage, included those with liquids, the number of bags increased a great deal. Instead of checking two bags, people were now checking three bags or more. Multiple that by the number of passengers on a particular airplane or airline and you have a lot more bags to load in the same amount of time, putting more stress on the luggage system at the airports and for the employees loading them. The on-time rates increased in the same period of time though. With people unable to take liquids on board they were spending less time in line at Starbucks and more time just hanging around their gate waiting to board. Plus the lack of carry-on bags decreased the boarding time.
"We saw a 20 to 30 percent increase in the number of checked bags as a result of the security increase," said Beth Harbin, a spokeswoman for Southwest.
Delta Air Lines' complaint rate was among the highest for the big airlines at nine per 1,000 passengers in August, up from eight a year earlier.
Southwest Airlines saw its August baggage complaints rise to over 54,000, a rate of 6.1 per 1,000 passengers from 4.4 a year earlier.
United Airlines reported a rate of 7.3 baggage complaints, up from four.
Airtran Airways increased to 7.0 mishandled per 1,000 bags
Northwest Airlines decreased to 5.2 from 5.4 a year ago.
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