US Airways returns baggage to passengers of Flight 1549 from the murky depths

It’s possible that passengers have never been so happy to have their bags arrive late. But, despite the delayed arrival, passengers from US Airways Flight 1549 say they’re pleased to finally be getting their luggage back nearly four months after their flight famously “splash-landed” in the icy Hudson River near New York.

The New York Times reports the airline has begun returning bags and other belongings that were left aboard the flight, which was remarkable for the fact that all 150 passengers onboard survived the dramatic water landing. The Times writes some items are being returned in good shape. Others are “ruined, but all are carefully wrapped in tissue paper and snuggled in sheets of fabric softener, as though their owners had died.”

The Times writes that “for each of (the Flight 1549 passengers), it seems, there has been at least one item that matters far beyond its material value and is worth the unsettling memories its return arouses.” For one, it was a favorite pair of jeans. That passenger, Lori Lightner, tells the Times she washed the jeans as soon as she got them and wore them the next day. Passenger Carl Bazarian’s reaction seemed somewhat more practical, saying he was simply glad to get back a set of keys that allow him to unlock his car doors remotely. Still, there are some issues. Several passengers complain cash is conspicuously missing from their returned belongings.

Overall, the Times writes “passengers who have received some of their luggage say they are grateful, but not all of them are ready to absolve US Airways of responsibility for injuries, emotional distress and losses they claim to have suffered.” The paper adds that AIG, US Airways’ insurance company, “has started offering each of the passengers $10,000 in exchange for agreeing not to sue the airline, some passengers said.”

At least one passenger tells the Times that an AIG representative told him that the company would be making that offer to all Flight 1549 passengers once their personal belongings have been returned. It appears not everyone will jump at the offer. At least some of the flight’s passengers tell the Times they think it’s in their best interest to wait until a National Transportation Safety Board hearing on the flight next month before making their decision. US Airways referred the Times’ questions to AIG on the subject.

For now, though, passengers can take some solace in getting their belongings back. Speaking about her jeans, a Christmas gift from her mother, passenger Lightner says: “It’s funny how one thing can make a difference.”

Source :USA Today