Expert: D. Norkus - 7/6/2004

Question
Where can I find the FAA Regulation that states that baggage cannot remain on a plane if the passenger does not actually board the plane?  The reason I ask is I missed a connecting flight to go from USA to Europe.  My baggage, however, made the flight without me.

Answer
"Where can I find the FAA Regulation that states that baggage cannot remain on a plane if the passenger does not actually board the plane? The reason I ask is I missed a connecting flight to go from USA to Europe. My baggage, however, made the flight without me."

The Federal Aviation Regulations do not have regs specific to this topic. However, the FAA has issued a "Security Directive" to the air carriers that mandates what they need do, and that is where you find such guidelines. Whether or not the text is available to the public, I don't know for certain, but I'd think not as it's a "security directive".

I can say that prior to the extensive luggage screening now in place across the country, airlines were required to have 100% positive bag match for every passenger and bag on a flight. Now that every bag is X-rayed, and in many cases tested for explosives too, bags can travel without the passenger. Basically, once the passenger and the bag have been screened and X-rayed at the origintion point, they are considered safe and OK to go to the destination. This also counts for connections too. Once the bag is released by the TSA for loading, the bag is OK to go the entire route, even if you happen to miss the connection. This is why your bags continued on without you.

If you want to find out about the availability of the directive and public access, try contacting the TSA or the FAA for further info:

"Please call the TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 during the following hours of operation (All times are Eastern Standard Time):

Monday thru Friday 8 am - 10 pm
Saturday, Sunday, Holidays 10 am - 6 pm

You may also e-mail us at: tsa-contactcenter@dhs.gov"

The FAA contact list can be found here:
http://www.faa.gov/Utilities/contactus.cfm