You have come a long way to reach your destination. You are tired and looking forward to start that dream holiday– only to find out you lost your luggage at the airport.
Does the situation seem familiar?
With tons of luggage coming across airports every day, it’s not impossible for airport employees to mis-tag bags, misread luggage tags, set bags aside and not remember it, or accidentally haul it out of the cargo hold before it get to its intended destination. On the other hand, in 50% of the cases, the luggage owners are also to blame why their belongings get lost. Below are some basic yet very helpful tips which will prevent and lessen the chances of your luggage from getting lost.
1. Place a name-tag outside your bag
Most bags today often come with name tags where you may write your name, home or office address and contact number. If your bag doesn’t have one, avoid using stick-on labels because these can easily fall off. Instead, use a plastic or leather tag which can be bought on office and school supplies store.
2. Place a name-tag inside your bag
Tape an ID inside your bag so if the name tag outside your bag accidentally comes off, there’s still a way to identify your luggage. You may also use your business card as an alternative.
3. Tape an itinerary card inside if possible
In case your luggage gets temporarily lost and recovered, it can be easily forwarded to you wherever you are. Include the places you plan to visit and the dates you will be in each place.
4. Put a personal marking on your bag
Most expert travelers strongly suggest putting distinguishing marks on your bags such as ribbons, paint, tassels, brightly colored tape, yarn, and button pins. This will not only help you spot your bags easier, it will also assure you that the bag you are getting belongs to you.
5. Remove old luggage tags
Not all airports are equipped with laser scanners which automatically route bags to its right destination. In some airports, baggage handling is done the old fashioned way—manually. Failure to remove old routing tags on your bag can confuse baggage handlers which is the number one reason why luggage gets lost.
6. Be early at the airport
Lastly, do arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes before your departure time. This will give you more time to check your bags. Don’t forget to check your claim ticket if you have received one for each of your bags and that the destination labels are right.
Photo of lost luggage at Toronto Airport, Canada, by Jordon
One response to “How to not Lose Your Luggage in the Airport”
Report an inappropriate commentJanuary 13th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
If there is little time between one flight and the next, don’t book layover flights with different airlines for different legs of your journey. Chances that your checked luggage won’t make the next flight are much higher and it will be a mess reclaiming your bag afterwards. I once waited 4 days for my bags on a 2 airlines trip from Rome to Las Vegas via London and Chicago.
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