Millions of bags fail
to arrive at their destination each year, some of the reasons being: airline
budget cuts, airport congestion, tight connection times, increased transfers
among airlines and security. In defense of airlines, most bags are not actually
lost forever, only delayed. But, even a few days without your luggage is enough
to cause you a lot of stress!
If you are a traveler,
you should take the following steps to keep this from happening to your bag…
- Use a sturdy ID tag with a durable strap on each bag. The best tags
have a cover hiding your name to protect your privacy (use your business information
if possible.) use your cellphone number and email address so you can be
contacted immediately.
- Include your identification information
inside the bag. This is especially
important if the outside tag is lost during your travels. Place a travel itinerary
in an outside pocket or inside on the top, so that airlines can track you in
transit if your bag is delayed or misrouted.
- Mark your luggage in distinctive ways to spot your black bag in the sea of black
bags. Tie bright ribbons or straps onto the handles; apply stickers or your
initials in large, coloured stick-on letters on all sides. Take a photo of your
bag, so that if your bag should be misplaced, you can show the photo to the
baggage agent.
- Remove any old baggage claim tags from your luggage as they can cause confusion.
- Check your bags as early as possible. Airlines suggest at least 90
minutes in advance (two hours for international travel) but at daily
high-traffic times and with seasonal crowding you can add 30 minutes to this
time. Last-minute checked bags simply may not make it through security
screening and onto your plane.
- Make sure that your bags have been ticketed
to the correct destination and
on the correct flight numbers before you leave the luggage check-in area or ticket
counter.
- Always carry medicines and anything that is
valuable or not easily replaceable
(including your keys) on your person or in a small carry-on bag. If it would
break your heart to lose it, either keep it with you or leave it at home.
- Travel in clothing you can wear for a day or
two in case your bags are
delayed. Tuck a change of underwear into your carry-on bag plus a clean shirt
so you have an item to wear and one to wash. Pack a swimsuit or shorts in your
carry-on if you’re headed to a sunny location.
- Complete lost-luggage reports at the airport
and don’t leave without a claim number and contact information so you can check the status of missing bags if
one is missing in action. Keep baggage claim tags, tickers and receipts for
your purchases, so the airline will be able to research your claim and
reimburse you quicker.
- Always create a packing list that includes every item in each packed bag
and leave a copy at home to retain an accurate record. Most travelers
undervalue the content of a lost bag because they can’t remember anything that
was inside. Take a second copy of the packing list with you to check each time
you unpack and repack to prevent forgetting items in the rush.
Make sure you are a
smart traveler and plan ahead so that your memories of your vacation or
business trip not of a travel disaster.
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Written By: Christine Romans
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