“Normal wear and tear”

This Samsonite is as tough as nails and has gone through virtually every airport in Asia without so much as a scratch.. if I weren’t so angry with American, I might actually be impressed with their destructive abilities. It’s been crushed in multiple places and the frame is so warped I can’t even get it zipped closed again without sitting on it.

I tried to take this directly to the baggage office for review and was told to submit the claim online. I did that, and it was rejected. The report says I only have two days to have it inspected in person.. which requires a 85-mile drive back to ATL.

I’m willing to do that, but the stories I see here are not encouraging.. am I just wasting my time? Any way to improve my chances of reimbursement?