Any case these days with any form of zips are useless...the thieves use the pen hack and things stolen. I had SAS (Scandinavian airlines) broke my cases, stole stuff from my case and the last time they held up my case for the entire week I was on holiday only returning it on day I was travelling back. They laughed at my complaint. I hate flying now. Also each airport seems to have their own stupid fake rules. You may pass through one airport where they say stuff in your luggage are legit and ok, only to be told by another on transit that you're carrying illegal stuff. Africa is worst where staff eill take anything they feel they want from your case, claiming its illegal, or they force you to pay extra money to "allow yo carry the items through".. bunch of thieves only.
Is that a wireless microphone attached to your dress? I've worked in health for 32 years, and I can say it's potentially risky to keep anything wireless near your breast tissue. In the UK when women started keeping their mobile phones in their bras, we had a noticeable increase in breast cancer from the signals. Of course, like the tobacco industry and the people who sold asbestos, the manufacturers do not want to admit any risk, so you will have to search beyond the curated google to read the evidence. But do bear in mind that these type of signals are similar to those that can cook food. And, if you check in 'General-Settings-Legal' you'll see that phone manufactures include a warning not to keep their device within 2cm of your skin. Please invest in a wired microphone or something on a stand - wireless seems convenient, but it's not worth the risk.
The best airport theft video ever was from an ABC News investigation. They purposely left an iPad behind at the airport check in. They later tracked it to the home of a TSA employee. The employee was confronted at his home by the reporter, but he denied he has it. The reporter then activates the iPad alarm and you can hear it ringing inside his house! LOL! The TSA employee brings out the iPad then blames his wife for taking it! He was actually on video taking the iPad from the airport. He got fired.
The TSA won't even hold their own people accountable... it all has to do with union rules and the fact that TSA employees are largely unscreened before being hired. TSA pawned it off to local police departments to do as an unfunded federal mandate and very few local police agencies consider it their responsibility to do the backgrounds for another agencies personnel.
Last summer was the first time I used an Airtag for an international flight. On return flight, my luggage not arrive in LAX with the rest of family's suitcases. The Airtag indicated that it was still at CDG in Paris. I immediatly reported it missing and where it was located according to the Airtag. I continued my trip on a connecting flight. The following morning I received a message that it was on another flight and I received it at home within 24 hours.
In 2009, I was on a business trip to Europe and flew back to the US on Lufthansa. When I opened my suitcase in the US, I felt something was missing, and finally noticed it was the plastic bag containing my dirty clothes. In that bag were 6-8 short sleeve Polo causal shirts, several Under Armor dry fit gym shirts plus socks, etc. While I awaited for a claim I filed with Lufthansa to be processed, I needed to replace my Polo shirts and went to the local Macy’s to do so. When I showed up at the counter with a stack of shirts, the sales clerk inquired why I was buying so many. I told her the story and remarked that I couldn’t understand why anyone would take my dirty laundry. She told me that it wasn’t a surprise to her because the $50 Polo shirts from Macy’s actually cost 4x that in Europe,and further added that the thief probably washed them (and other items) and then sold them on EBay. Weird, huh?
The woman whose bag was stolen by employee had a bright pink suitcase. Surveillance cameras showed him dragging it into the store he worked at, pulling out the laptop and putting it in a drawer.
I might believe this coming from anyone other than Christopher Walken. I mean, have you seen that man's clothes?? How could anyone not want to look that stylish?!
Yep! If they want my clothes that bad they can have them! I’m not a sucker to fashion or brand names, my cheap suitcase probably cost more than what’s inside of it! If they want my clothes they need them more than I do.
Haha! Here's my story of a suitcase that stands out. I used for a suitcase one of those Pelican-like hard plastic water-tight cases which I normally use to carry electronic equipment. Since the case is black, I decorated with black and yellow safety stripes (the nearby hardware store has something like 200 different kinds of Duck-Tape...). When I arrived at my destination, I found my case neatly put besides the carousel, next to three similar cases used to send aircraft parts. I inadvertently made my suitcase look like official airline cases!!!
I bought an expensive nightgown in Italy and put it in my checked luggage with the garment tags still attached, which showed that it was brand new and unworn. When I arrived home and opened my luggage, it was gone. Who took it, I’ll never know. Lesson learned, take off all merchandise sales tags before packing to lessen the chance that it will be stolen. 😢
Walmart has nightgowns for about $29.99. I'm being serious. Look, no one is going to be looking at you when you're off to la la land so why spend the extra $$$?
Airline: You must give us your bag You: OK Airline: here is your receipt You: OK Airline: We will transport your bag to your final destination - checks destination You: OK You: Where's my bag? Airline: I don't know. Also Airline: Not my problem ... be sure to leave us a review and we'll see you next time!
After retiring from federal law enforcement, I worked for an airline for a while after retiring. I put two heavy duty rubber and colorful name tags on all my checked luggage. I put our last name and both cell phone numbers for my wife and I, no address. Those pretty leather tags with belt like buckles fall off quite often on luggage belt pinch points or simply just come unhinged during handling. There have been cases of airline employees copying addresses of passengers flying and providing them to people who then break into homes knowing the occupants are out of town. I was at a small airport in an upscale resort area. I can't tell you how many times we get a delayed bag in with a name, home address and home phone number none of which helped let you know we got your bag. Also, never leave an airport without your bag until you have filed a claim in baggage services. This is necessary for potential claims and locating you to deliver your bag if you failed to follow the prior advice.
Then you might know the "hack" such that the Traveler MUST BE PRESENT for any TSA inspections, allowing you to fully lock a case Hardcore Style: pack a legal, registered, licensed firearm, even the cheapest 22cal with no ammo for example. true?
Great tips thanks Megan! I use Tile trackers in all my bags, including a shoulder bag I travel with. While in the Venice Airport last year, I hooked my shoulder bag onto the luggage cart while retrieving my bags from the carousel, I didn't notice when I got our bags on the cart my shoulder bag was gone. A few minutes later, I reached for my phone in my bag I had hooked onto the cart and realized my bag, camera, wallet, cash all were gone. We went to the Airport police to report it, and then I remembered the tile. Thank God! Vacation saved, the cop went to the exact spot the bag was pinging at and there it was, all contents intact. God was good to me that day!
Also you should check your bag immediately upon arrival. I had a picture that I had bubble wrapped and placed in a box in the checked suitcase. It was removed from packing and smashed upon arrival. A watch was missing too. I made a complaint to TSA because there was a form letter saying TSA searched it. I got reimbursement when I filed a tsa claim.
Another personal rule for us, move at least one outfit each to the other’s checked bag. That, along with the compression bag carrying extra underwear and a shirt can give you an extra day before having to run out and buy clothes.
I’ve done this for 30 years after one lost bag that ruined my vacation. We both take small carryons with at least 1 days worth of cloths, sandals, bathing suit, medications. The bags are small enough that we aren’t hassled to check our carryons. So far it’s worked great.
Your carry on should contain: 1. Meds. 2. Basic hygeine items and 3. A complete change of clothes. After that...whatever you want. Ever spill your drink onto your lap during a long haul flight? I have and the extra change of clothes was wonderful.
I always have my checked baggage wrapped; not because I worry about theft, but because I fear that someone may put contraband in my case with a view to retrieving it later. Imagine landing in Singapore and having drugs found in your baggage; it doesn't bear thinking about!
The solution is quite simple: (1) Remove all valuables, and pack NOTHING that can not be replaced at your destination; (2) Apple Trackers; (3) Lock the bag and I place a sticker on the top saying "All Valuables Removed" (I also tape a similar sign to my car window at the airport carpark. Im sure the local thieves appreciate my efforts).
so what if you don't have an Apple phone? You guys act like "Apple" is the ONLY phone out there. Before you get all Apple-defensive, I love people who consume their products, it helps me as a shareholder. Personally, I use Samsung.
I went from GSP to SLP in Mexico, but my bag got put on the wrong plane, and went to Honolulu from Houston. The people in customs in Mexico City were looking for my bag, and started laughing. They showed me how to track luggage. I watched my bag go all the way to Honolulu, turn around after a 6 hour wait for a plane back, saw it stop in Sab Fran, Houston, then Mexico City, the finally SLP. I got the bag a few hours before leaving for home. My bag did not even bring me a tee shirt from Hawaii.
While eating your frozen taco dinner bought from Soriana, were your eyes locked onto that little bleep tracking your Target bought orange luggage as it were dancing across the Pacific? Did you shed a tear as it were being man-handled in San Fran and then in Houston?
Yep. Checked my bag. The bag had a TSA lock on it. But, someone punched a hole in the zipper on the bag to get inside which ruined the zipper and I could no longer use the bag. Nothing was stolen. But, it was frustrating to get my bag back damaged and useless. Thieves deliberately take jobs at airports because they know it's unlikely they will get caught. And if they are caught they will just be fired and nothing else will happen to them.
@@PhotoTrekr To work at the airport, you are fingerprinted and must pass a criminal background check. This is repeated throughout your career. The vast majority of airline workers are the most honest people you will ever meet.
@@janetplanet09 Then why do so many people report stolen items from their luggage? I've looked out of my window on the plane and seen first hand how luggage is treated by airport employees. This guy was haphazardly throwing suitcases from one cart to another. He wasn't even looking where he was throwing them. Half of them bounced off of the cart onto the ground. I couldn't believe he was doing this in front of a plane full of people. When I was in school a friend of mine took a job at the airport washing planes and doing whatever needed to be done. Do people with temporary jobs also go through screening?
@@PhotoTrekr EVERYONE is fingerprinted and screened. I suggest if you see questionable behavior, photograph it and bring it to the attention of the airline. Management will come down on these offenders.
@@janetplanet09 Well, that's not my job. That's the job of whoever is supposed to be managing these people. When I'm flying somewhere it's either for business and I'm in a hurry or it's for pleasure and I just want to relax and enjoy myself.
@@PhotoTrekr For the amount of time you have spent commenting on this video, you could have put in a formal complaint with the airline that destroyed your bag. A famous video was made by a guy who taped a baggage handler destroying his guitar. He wrote a song, put it on social media and got not just compensation from United Airlines but 15 minutes of fame and several million views. He made a small fortune off of it. But you do you
when you have checked your bag, (even gate-checked) and your flight is cancelled/delayed, they don't give you the bag back. They keep it. I gate checked my bag in June, boarded the flight, then we all deplaned, I was booked on a different flight, they did locate my bag and re-tag it and I was given a new claim ticket, but they didn't give me the bag back. Then my rebooked flight was cancelled, and I spent the night sleeping on the floor, and they would not give us our bags back, (no vacancies in local hotels, and when you don't have your luggage you don't have pajamas or clean clothes to change into which kind of makes going to a hotel less appealing anyway) When I finally arrived at my destination 24 hours later than expected, my luggage didn't. That took another 18 hours. My suitcase was out of my hands for 44 hours, for a domestic flight.
I dress way down when traveling. Cheap suit cases, cheap $30 watch, A very very old MacBook Air loaded with movies and music, old clothing and very warm hoodie with big pockets. I carry Passport, two credit cards, 200 USD and 200 Euros in small demoninations in Pacsafe shoulder bag. I load up a sandwich and snacks after security and stuff my pockets full. I carry a empty water bottle through security and buy water and fill my own bottle. I don't eat airline prepared food or iced drinks / water. At my destination preorder a private car service and have them waiting for me. I do put an apple tracker in my checked luggage- I'm still found of my old stuff :) BTW I love your videos!
@@someoneyoudontknow7705i think this person takes an empty water bottle then fills it at the airport. Also stated airline food. I didn’t read into it does not eat any food. Just my take on it.
As a retired airline employee, I fly standby and as the last person to board often have my carry on bag checked. I always have a strong nonwoven or nylon shopping bag in the outside pocket of the carryon and remove any valuable items before they take my luggage. No one has ever refused me that little bag as it will fit under the seat along with my personal item. Another tip is to take a photo of the contents of your suitcase if you have expensive items along with keeping receipts for them. That will help with the claim process. If you can substantiate the loss from your suitcase (that the zipper or lock was compromised), file a claim with the airline. I worked for a legacy carrier, and we tried to do right by our customers. We keep luggage secured in my station and hired security. And if you regularly travel with expensive items, consider travel insurance or a rider on your homeowner/rental insurance policy.
I’ve used an apple tag and “it works” when our luggage didn’t arrive at our final destination! We were in Rome..the luggage was still in London(Heathrow). We finally were able to receive/get it!
Thieves are now using air tags to place in suitcases, bags and jacket to find where people stay. They more clever also found way to disable airtags, there apps that can scan luggage for airtags.
I don’t understand why we don’t scan our ticket and the barcode on the suitcase when you leave the baggage collection area. This would tie a specific luggage to a person, flagging up if the case was not yours, and proving he luggage left the area
I never put valuables in my checked brilliant yellow bag, have an air tag inside and am prepared with an emergency change of clothing in my personal item. I learned that lesson when a whole cup of coffee was spilled over my shoulder and the whole way down my front. Not sure who would ever want the women's plus sized clothing in my bag but you never know! I also use compression packing cubes so if they REALLY want my black polka dot blouse, they are going to have to open all those cubes to find it.
Agreed. There is nothing valuable in my checked bags (if I have one) or my rollaboard (in case I’m forced to check). I also use packing cubes, a luggage lock, an AirTag, and a luggage sleeve. I don’t travel with expensive jewelry and my electronics are in my personal item bag. I even put AirTags in my carry ons. If anyone manages to steal my backpack, I’m tracking them.
I was reading Dickens’s “Tale of Two Cities”. There’s a whole long passage about the risks and paranoia of highway travel during the 1700’s. The risks include not only robbery by bandits, but that there is a whole system and network involving the drivers of the wagons, their deals with robbers, and warehousers. Quite the eye-opener.
@@axiomaddict True; theft has been around as long as "the oldest profession" As you referenced, it's probably not just one lone ranger who targets certain bags; it takes a village to make it happen
My husband and I were traveling internationally to attend a concert convention weekend. Friends arriving ahead of us were all posting pictures at YUL of hundreds of bags sitting in baggage claim, while others were reporting their bags hadn't arrived. Once you leave the secured area, you can't go back to retrieve your bags. So we bought a pair of air tags for our own peace of mind. Those airtags stay in our luggage. Like you, we placed ours behind the lining. So far, so good - and it's really nice to be able to see that our bags have made it into the luggage compartment on the plane before takeoff!
I'm a retired Cop and used to have fun with TSA. I wrapped my suitcase in one full round of "evidence" tape. TSA said that was prohibited so I asked to see that rule in print. There is no such rule, I knew that and have their webpage with rules bookmarked on my phone. When threatened with boarding will be denied (which they CAN do for no real reason) I show my credentials. It's no fun anymore..they don't care they just x-ray the bag like 3 times now
Recently my daughter in law was being sexually harassed on a flight. The airline refused to do anything about it. It was a well known major airline. These airlines need to get so much better in all areas!
On my last flight I was forced to do a complimentary check of my carry on at the gate because there wasn’t space and I was in a late boarding group. It was a real pain. Had to wait around for it forward, and I had to carry all my power banks in my pockets during the flight. I really hate airlines.
For those of you who only take a carry-on, pack a recycled bag. That way, if you are made to check said carry-on, you can take out your meds, laptop, etc., and put said items in your recycle bag.
I’m not quite understanding…”recycle bag”? If you’re made to check your carry-on, why are you putting these items in a “recycle bag”? What happens next?
I put meds n small electronics in a "purse" sized soft cooler. It doesn't count as a carry in bit a personal item. 😊 What is that bag your talking about please?
@@someoneyoudontknow7705 I think they are referring to a reusable grocery bag made of recycled materials. I carry one, too, for the same reason. It’s vi lightweight.
@@janetplanet09 Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about - a recycled bag you take to the store to put your purchases in. So, you have to check your carry-on. Now you are left with your purse and your recycled bag is your "new" carry-on bag.
I know someone who puts a bag in another bag and double locks the bag inside and the bag outside too, they work for a loss prevention department and they know a thing or two as it were. Whatever the rules are some people will try to bend them to suit their own needs as it were. Airports are not bad places just make sure you know the rules and what to expect at the airport you are going to, they are not all the same and some staff just want to get things done. Take nothing for granted and always be alert as it were. Depending on your bank you might find as part of their services you get holiday or personal insurance so that’s something to look at as you probably pay for it and don’t make use of it. Remember to remove all the barcodes and the like from previous flights as that might cause your bag to get lost or sent to a different destination. Try to avoid bags that are too hard to spot on the carousel at the airport, ok not everyone will have a Samsonite or Delsey bag but they sell a good few of them every year. I’m not sure if you can have a vinyl wrap on your luggage but one of those might work as they say. Listen to what the security folk say and no matter what be polite, they have a job to do and can make things difficult if you don’t do as asked.
It's going to take legislation with punitive penalties to make airlines & airports take responsibility for their employee's actions. The fact that this isn't already in place is pathetic.
For years I've used a paint pen to mark the bottom of my suitcase with my last name. I also put it in the little recess where the handle stores. I can see my case arrive on the carousel regardless which way it comes out into the public area.
I can't tell you how many times when I was flying home from somewhere in California I had my TSA approved lock just cut off. I paid extra for the locks they wouldn't have to destroy, yet almost every time I flew out of California they acted like it was a lock they couldn't access.
I guess luggage theft is a common problem. I used to work near our airport and there was a storm drainage ditch along the airport employee parking areas. The ditch had many empty luggage and suitcases in there. Anybody could have guessed the thefts were being done by people with access to the airline loading carts and trucks.
This happened to me recently, I had some sales samples stolen from my checked bag on Southwest, during a flight fro Orlando to Denver, and Southwest’s response was, essentially, “not our problem.” That free checked bag ended up costing me $250 to replace the sales samples.
In November when returning home to the states on British Airways, I had put a handful of coins in a pair of Smartwool socks into my checked bag (coins were souvenirs for a young cousin.) Coins and socks were both missing when I got home. I was upset about the socks - they cost 30 bucks!
I had a large hard shell case that went missing for a week, when it finally arrived it smelt weird and had a few fish scales on it, nothing was missing but the airline couldn't explain where it had been or why it was all fishy, so strange🤔
Regarding the Pen Hack/Zipper Locks and Trackers Part of the 'Pen Hack' relies on being able to slider the zipper back around to close the zipper teeth after opening it with a pen. Just locking the zippers together still allows that to happen. Built-in zipper locks don't allow this to happen. If you had a Zip-Tie or luggage lock, secure it through a handle, so they can not be slid around. Hiding trackers in the lining is a good idea. However, a lot of new hard side luggage is including 'Carbon Fiber' in the shell. CF can attenuate (block) radio signals and shorten the detection range of your tracker. Check for yourself by testing your tracker with the device inside of the luggage and outside on the handle.
Whenever possible, carry on your luggage. I took a charter and when I got to my destination, half my luggage was missing. I used packing cubes and all my clothes were taken out. It was easy for the TSA agent. Grab two handles and all my clothes were gone. I asked when, where and who inspected my luggage and the TSA Supervisor was up front about the process, she was also extremely persistent that it couldn't have happened on her watch. I filed a claim against the airport, the TSA agency and the airline. After much finger pointing, I basically got told there was nothing anyone would or could do for me. I basically got told to pound sand. Happily, and with a thousand apologies, the hotel that chartered the flight had their limo driver take me to wherever I needed to go to replace my clothing. Props to them but to the multi million dollar agencies that were responsible for the theft, well, I guess I shouldn't expect anything less.
We usually travel carry-on only, but on our trip to Europe in June 2024 we flew Austrian Air which had a 8kg (17.6lb) weight limit, so we did end up checking a bag for our over-weight items. No problems going over, but we had a 6hr layover in Frankfurt on the way back to the U.S. Our luggage never showed up at SFO upon returning home and our AirTag showed it was still at the Frankfurt airport. Our luggage was never loaded on the return flight most likely because our first flight arrived so far in advance of our second flight. Unfortunately we had no control over checking in the baggage at the Frankfurt airport, but United delivered it to us at home the next day. Thanks for your very informative videos!
I used a Samsung tag my last trip. It’s comforting to see your bag is right beside the aircraft after boarding. All my valuables are in my carry on bag along with a change of clothes just in case.
Great video as always! Very informative. To answer your question, yes, I have had to track my bag. Those AirTags are one of the best purchases I've made. On a recent trip, we were transiting through LHR. When we got to HAM, lo and behold, no bag. And no employee who would make us an IRROP report either. But I was able to make a claim online. At one point, I saw that the bags were in HAM (next day or so) and I went a bit Karen. I took screenshots and asked, "Why is it taking so long to have the bags delivered? They are IN HAM!" We got the bags later that day.
I tried the cable tie method of locking our luggage on a trip to Dominican Republic. On the way home, customs officials decided my bag looked suspicious and I was called in to go through the bag with them. Unfortunately nobody had a knife or scissors to cut the cable tie and open the bag. It took a half hour of searching before they could open the bag. I don’t even lock my bags anymore. I just carry on my valuables in a small backpack.
I use cable ties, but put toenail clippers in the side pocket of the case. Would help customs, but more important, you need to be able to cut them at your destination.
Megan - thank you for a great video. I don’t travel often, but when I do, it’s to visit family and be that I have disabilities, I usually pack a free medical bag containing medical items like my CPAP etc. I also put my walker through luggage claim and pushed in a wheelchair throughout the airport as I cannot walk the huge amounts needed to transverse get to the gate. I’m glad somebody in the comments or replies mentioned the vital medications. In the past, I have been on some controlled medication’s, which I must keep on my person because I am responsible for their safe passage. I’m so glad I’m off of one in particular, because it has a great street value. I just take Tylenol for pain now as well as relaxation methods. It’s too dangerous because too many people can figure out the way you walk that you’re in pain and if you’re in pain, you must have pain medicine that contains controlled substances. Never had a problem in the past, except the one time I packed all my medication‘s in their original containers as ruled by the airline. But apparently the airline did not follow their own rules. This was evident by the perplexity of searching and trying to figure out why I was carrying in my personal item a metal box, locked medication‘s, with all the small bottles of prescription medication‘s, including insulin, which needed to be accompanied by a freezer gel pack. I’m a senior citizen, and with only one or two flights every couple of years, prior to UA-cam, I was on my own to figure things out. I was using in the middle container because it had a child proof combination lock. Visiting young grandkids back then I couldn’t take a chance. I knew it would show up an x-ray, I wasn’t surprised that they had to look in it, I was just surprised that more people didn’t pack there medication‘s in the same way I did. None of my medications, except the insulin pens were in liquid form.
#10 Use a credit card that offers insurance coverage for lost or stolen luggage. Many people are not even aware of the various benefits their credit cards provide, but it makes a huge difference when you actually need to access those benefits. You may recall the Seinfeld episode where Jerry rents a car, and George crashes it. Jerry asks the agent, "Doesn't my credit card cover the damage?" The agent responds, "Sorry, not THAT credit card." Rookie mistake! 😆
Every airline tells you not to pack valuables in checked luggage. I find it insane that she left a laptop in her bag; even if it's not stolen, the risk of damage is high.
I haven't had any problems ever. I've had my luggage driven to me by the airlines twice, up to 150 miles away. Crime in general is actually down. But that's per capita. And there are ever more people in the world! Hold your valuables on your person. If you have too many valuables to do that easily, I'm sure you have insurance for your equipment.
There are so many luggage just spinning on the carousel with their owner's still not there that can be snatched up by anyone at the airport. I always am amazed that there aren't more stolen luggage
Years ago there was always a guy at the exit and you could not exit before you showed you bag stub and they check it if it matches, now noones is checking it
@@JudyCurrie depending, if it is on one ticket the baggage must be checked till final destination, if it are split tickets than it is almost impossible to check it trough.
We returned on an international flight where only 11 bags showed up at the carousel. Numerous people were telling the agents that their own tracking was wrong as their own trackers showed it was actually there, or at least not where the agents claimed -- what a mess. We confirmed 2 of ours were indeed not there and proceeded to our connecting flight. One bag was delivered 3 days later the other in about a week.
You can (or could) buy packs of sequentially numbered cable ties that are bright orange or yellow. They have a break off section that has the same serial number that you can put in your wallet/handbag. There have been a number of cases where travellers have had their luggage opened and prohibited items put inside - either by criminals using suitcaes to move unlawful goods and their member at the receiving airport missing the pickup or for some countries, airport Customs or Security trying to shake down tourists for kickbacks/ fake 'fines' for having prohibited items in their luggage. If the bag arrives without the numbered tie, or with the wrong tie, this may save you from an unsceduled visit to prison.
@@nailsofinterestyup, it was happening in the Philippines a few years ago. We locked our bags with padlocks, put cable ties through the zipper pulls, then got them wrapped. On our carry on we got ties and tied all our zips together over and over to deter anyone from tampering with them. It's this that scares me the most, not having something stolen. I don't carry valuables anyway. You can also wrap your luggage yourself and it works great, if not better. We used glad wrap and then covered the entire thing in duct tape. It's a million times cheaper, actually more sturdy and difficult to get into and we could make sure every single opening was taped shut, something the professional wrappers don't do.
@@katyb2793what happens if they want to inspect your suitcase? I’ve been to some airports where it’s forbidden to wrap a suitcase as it’s supposed to be easy for them to investigate what’s inside without ruining your suitcase. And if you have it sealed in some way they’re not responsible for breaking the lock or ruining the suitcase in some way
@@katyb2793 this was in several countries in Europe. Tbh it was a while back span of 5-10 years ago when I was traveling a lot. So in all fairness I don’t remember exactly in which airports I’ve seen this because I traveled so much back in the day 🤷🏼♀️🙈🤣 And I agree. Having that wrap on defo does feel safer and deters thieves. It’s funny throughout all my travels I only got my luggage lost once and it arrived the next day (Air France, and I’m never traveling with them again not just because of that but many other reasons, and also not through Paris CDG airport). And I’ve never had my stuff stolen. But seems this is becoming a more common occurrence lately.
Note for those who don't have Apple devices: Google has now (finally!) launched an equivalent tracking network for Android phones/etc, and there are a few manufacturers now starting to sell Airtag-like devices that work with Android phones too. It will probably still be a little while before it's as robust and ubiquitous as the Apple version, but it's still worth looking into if you're in the other camp and still want to track your luggage in a more high-tech manner...
I use luggage covers with my dog’s face printed on them. We check 4 suitcases - each cover has the same photo but a different colored border so I can keep track of which bag is which in case of loss. I figure no one will be mistaken or brazen enough to walk off with it while 4 of us are there collecting them from baggage claim. Also they’re more difficult to get into - thief more likely to pick a different bag to break into and pilfer.
Travelled to Washington DC and on arrival found our suitcase partially unzipped with the neck end of an expensive £130 bottle of whisky poking out. It appears that luckily for us, we had double wrapped it in bubble wrap as well as an inflated bubble sleeve with lots of gaffer tape holding everything together. Bottle was apparently too fat to be simply and unobtrusively removed so our son-in-law got his whisky!
One thing you may not be aware of is theft as you check your bag in. ALWAYS check your luggage tag that they put on your bag. I has a guy at the counter put the wrong flight tag on my bag. My friend noticed it was not for our flight. She told him and he ignored her. We had ti insist that it be changed. I believe that this is a system of sending your bag to a different airport for a partner to pick up. You used to have to show your baggage tag to prove the bag was yours but I have not had to do this in a long time.
I use TSA locks on ALL zippered pockets outside my bag. The TSA locks have a red button that activates when the TSA lock is opened by TSA. Cable ties can be cut. I had a TSA cable tied lock cut by a Greek cruise line but lucky for me nothing was taken because I don't pack anything valuable or worth stealing on the outside pocket of my suitcase anyway. I also advise EVERY US traveler to be aware of their rights through the US Department of Transportation website. Airlines only have certain responsibilities by law to travelers and it is YOUR responsibiility to know your rights. Incidentally, if you travel cheap airlines, you get what you pay for and NOTHING more - they nickel and dime you for everything so why would anyone expect them to pay anything in recompense for problems they cause? Put your medications and valuables in your "personal item" such as purse, backpack or any other item you wear on your body. It is common sense that nowadays there is a HUGE chance a bag will have to be checked and if a traveler is NOT prepared, it could be an issue. I think people need to be more aware of the rules, plan, prepare, and know your rights.
I read a comment once where this couple claimed they packed broken electronics in their packed bags and more often than not, when they got to their destination, the items were gone. Bottom line, like it or not, packing anything valuable in your bag is a complete gamble. If they don't steal the whole bag (check recent news reports) they'll take your items.
I only buy suitcases with metal zippers and then use TSA approved locks to lock them. The pen hack does not work on them, so they get left alone. I also pack my valuables and medications in my carry on suitcase or personal item so that they stay with me always.
Actually, many airlines do take this very seriously. They install hidden cameras in cargo bins along with undercover operations to try and find the culprits. I always use trackers (airtags) on my bags. Also, not all zippers can be be opened with a ball-point pen. The high-end bags (like Pacsafe) offer puncture resistant zippers on some of their backpacks and nags. All good points here.
Back when I was traveling regularly, including overseas, I would pack AND SHIP via FedEx those items that would not fit in my personal bag. I flew United, Delta, and Southwest. Yes, this is expensive. One time when I didn't do that, traveling to make a presentation at a conference with slides, United misrouted my checked luggage...and slides. I was able to make do with improvised visual examples, so the presentation was a success. Shipping my "suitcase" directly to the hotel saved time and worry. It meant I needed an extra set of toiletries, but that was "in the noise" as a one-time purchase. (Tip: if you use this method, include a disposable packing tape dispenser to re-seal your "suitcase" for the return.) All of my employers were willing to bear the shipping expenses when I was on company travel. For one overseas trip to Taiwan, the 460 pounds of equipment needed for the trip was sent (and returned) air freight, on a pallet, including my suitcase. That was most unusual.
Long ago, airports would employ security to both watch the baggage claim area and ensure, one-by-one, that everyone leaving the baggage claim area had his or her own suitcase. Now we have to provide our own security. Good on you, Megan, for highlighting these recommendations.
AirTags are great. One thing people may not think about is the batteries in them die. We bought some for a trip in 2022. One of them alerted us a few months ago that the battery was low. It is easy to switch the battery and if you’ve had the AirTag awhile and have a trip planned you may want to swap out the battery before the trip. 2 of the 4 I bought alerted me the battery was low. I don’t know why the other two are fine. I bought a 4 pack.
I remove the batteries after every trip to hopefully make them last longer. Of course, replacing with new batteries before every infrequent trip is fairly inexpensive insurance.
Don't take valuables or expensive clothes. They can be purchased or rented at your destination. No one's EVER stolen Walmart sweats and sneakers from me.
i used my Samsung Smartags on my trip to SE Asia and they worked well, but did give me a panic when I landed in Bangkok and they were last seen in Taipei (I assume they just were far from a phone that was on). I did not know about the sleeves! I upgraded my Monos bag to a latch style to avoid the zipper hack but a sleeve would just make it that much more annoying for a thief. Great tips as always! It seems you are a bottomless wealth of knowledge!
It happened to me a few years ago. All the luggage had been taken by the other travellers on my flight. I immediately checked the next luggage station and I found my luggage sitting there. It had been mistakenly sent to the wrong luggage station.
I use Air tags, and constantly check to make sure my luggage made it on the plane and then on my ship. I also use the luggage locks AND an additional lock. IF they want in them , security does have a way to get into it.
I travel with a battered and tatty old hard shell Samsonite. It does the job as well as any fancy new suitcase, but gives the impression that its owner doesn't have anything worth stealing!
Great tips. I traveled on business internationally for over 3 decades. The decline of the experience has made me decide to never fly again. I have 4 items I track with air tags (and not for air travel): My truck, my computer/brief case, my photo backpack, and my hiking pack.
I don't like the bags with the external pockets. I read a story about someone who found a brick of ganga in his suitcase pocket when he got to Bali. It seems that an airline employee in Australia put it there and it was supposed to have been retreived by another employee at his destination, but something went wrong. Somehow it went through customs undetected. The Australian embassy told him to flush it and change hotels, and not to call the Indonesian police. Schapelle Corby said that is what happened to her, and there is reasonable doubt because her surf bag wasn't locked. She wouldn't have been convicted in a lot of western countries, but she ended up in jail in Bali for nine years.
I drop an airtag in my luggage hidden in some clothes and I drop one in my truck if I have to leave it in the unsecured, overflow lot of the airport shuttle bus I use to get to Boston/Logan. Parking at Logan is incredibly expensive but IMO is a bit more secure since it's behind gates and more on camera and well lit.
I always use a steel cable to lock my gun to the inside of the luggage. This makes it hard for a baggage handler or TSA agent to make a quick grab and sneak the gun out on their person. I know of cases where luggage arrived but the owners gun was missing. The cable can also be used to lock the gun to the interior of a rental car (trunks are a target of theft, especially in states where stickers of license plate prefixes identify rental cars).
I was traveling from the US to Bahrain, via Germany. When I got to Bahrain, I had my hand-held bag, but not my two large bags with everything else. I got them two weeks later, after they had continued their journey to India. Lucky them! Gulf Air, the Bahrain national airline immediately owned up to the problem and provided a voucher so I could buy sufficient clothing and sundries to keep me clothed. After the bags were in my hands, they just wrote off the voucher as customer relations were more important to them than a few hundred dollars.
At about 6:30... wrapping luggage in layers of plastic film draws TSA attention to your checked luggage item as a possible container of drugs/contraband or other prohibited substances or objects such as flammables/explosives that can be identified by smell, by either trained dogs or sensors. It makes it look suspiciously like you're trying to hide something in your bag from routine sniff searches. So don't be surprised if your plastic luggage wrap is removed when you next see your checked suitcase at baggage claim. The plastic gave them a reason (known in law enforcement slang as a "fishing license") to give your bag higher scrutiny.
It was a pretty common practice in parts of Asia when the bullet scam was happening. You want to know nobody has put something in your luggage as much as whether somebody has taken something out.
Thank you, Megan! We found AirTags hugely helpful on a recent trip. One of our check bags went missing. It greatly lowered the blood pressure to be able to know where it was as it made its way back to us.
Years ago I had a room mate (for a very, very short time) that worked as a baggage handler at Anchorage Int. He was stealing fishing poles and musical instruments every chance he got and selling them at pawn shops. Never got busted as far as I knew but I dropped him as a friend.
The only “bad” thing that ever happened to me was once forgetting a camera tripod on the seat at disembarkment. When I realized, the plane was already taking off for its next destination, overseas. The airline called me as soon as it came back, which was just the next day.
I keep my valuables in my notebook computer case. But, in one instance, an airline sent my luggage on a flight that left before mine, without notifying me. Fortunately, the airline gathered my unclaimed bag off the turnstile, which I finally found at the airline baggae area.
My husband and I lost both 25 kg suitcases after they were checked in from Oslo to Tromso. Almost a year later no suitcases, no apology and no compensation from Scandic airline. Travel insurance paid only items I could prove were in them, which is practically impossible. Lost about $8,000 worth of goods in total. They must be somewhere.
Yes Megan, on my return to the US from a golf trip to Scotland I noticed that my clubs were still in Paris. I now make sure that all my luggage (checked or carry on) contains an Apple Air Tag. Worth every penny!
This is why you sue all of the parties involved. Add as many extra charges as you can. If the crook is caught press charges. Travel light. Just bring what you really need.
We have used Apple AirTags for the first time last year coming home from Europe, and thank goodness we did. Our flight from Toronto to Calgary to Vancouver was cancelled and we had to re-book. We had to also track and reclaim our luggage. Thankfully the AirTags helped tremendously in that, and we were able to gather our stuff and re-book safely and securely.
I know a photographer who'd travel with a starter pistol. You couldn't actually shoot anyone with it, but it triggered all the firearm regulations - specifically it needed to be individually inspected at check-in, locked in the presence of TSA with a real lock, to which the TSA did not have keys, etc.
My wife has a CPAP machine that she needs to sleep, and it was hell bringing it through every airport. All the TSA agents acted like they never seen one before. Then they would pull all the components out of the case, and made us repack it. My wife finally got a travel one, which is much smaller, and they didn't seem to check as much.
I buy colorful (definitely not black or white) zip ties about 4” long and use them to secure the zipper pulls from being moved away from a handle without breaking. Cheap TSA access indicator as well. I do have to have a tool of some sort with my carry on to remove them at my destination.
Well I guess one thing you can do with a tracker if you want to put your own in a suitcase, is to put it in a box of personal hygiene products such as tampons or pads, even if you've already passed the menopause (or stuff it in with your continence protection if that applies to you), just so that they'll see something they're not interested in. How many thieves are going to go after tampons, pads, or worse yet, enema equipment? It's a little bit out there, but I'm guessing they won't be trying to swipe those things.
Question: Are those TSA keys not available to thieves? There just be thousands of them. How could the TSA insure that they're all safe. They can't even detect all the guns that go through the scanners.
@@tejaswomanfirst thing I thought about too. Probably can be picked up somewhere just like the key to release spider locks Home Depot or electronic stores wrap on often stolen items.
One regular flight from Toronto to Tampa PLANS not to get all luggage aboard due to excess weight. The bags that don’t arrive with the passengers but are delivered to your hotel early the next morning. We watched exhausted families from abroad, heading to Disneyworld, realize they had no luggage on arrival. Panic set in for one man who had packed his heart medication. This always happens on that same flight!
I highly recommend a bluetooth tracker in your bags (checked or not). I had my carry-on luggage gate checked on a United flight due to "not enough" overhead bin space. After a 45 mintute delay, I ended up missing my connecting flight. Surprisingly, my bag made it, and my Samsung Smart Tag reassured me of my bag's location when the airline put me up for the night. Also, please use your luggage locks or purchase TSA approved locks, even if you carry on. You never know if you have to gate check or become separated from your bag for any reason.
All my meds go into a travel backpack that I take everywhere. As I am physically dusabled, I carry controlled substances, and Im not about to let my meds out of my sight. If you have a medical device ie, a CPAP, that dies not count against you for carryon luggage. I will not allow anything valuable to be in my checked luggage, just my clothes. If somebody wants my clothes, they can knock themselves out, especially if theyre looking for plus size clothing. I do not wear any designers, so they sure wont get much for my clothes! My purse goes in my backpack, too. In the area I live, it isnt any cheaper to fly a LCC or a ULCC than it is to fly a legacy airline, so why should I fly LCC or ULCC? I go with the best airline in the US- I fly Delta. It's worth paying a little more for, when they take such good care of me, and they're really good about my checked luggage. And no, Delta isn't giving me anything to say that. Delta really is that good. United has lost my luggage and so has American't. Ive not had that problem with Delta.
If you can't afford to lose it, DON'T PACK IT IN CHECKED LUGGAGE. Unless you are not going to be near a laundromat or washer-dryer, or you're transporting something large and clumsy, why pack a big bag to check? Think small, think portable, think light! On non-business travel, I've also been known to send my clothes ahead via UPS Ground, and have them come home the same way. It's often cheaper than checking a bag, and my friends don't mind.
I often ship my dirty laundry home by UPS. It frees up room in my bag for souvenirs. Once I shipped a suitcase home by Fedex. But, I wouldn't recommend it. It arrived more beat up than usual.
I’m going to Europe in September and have set out to only pack in my personal item and carry on suitcase (I bought smaller ones that fit the Ryanair dimensions). This way, everything is getting onto the plane with me, but if I’m forced to check my suitcase, it’ll only be clothes in there. Everything of value (which are my meds, kindle, and travel documents/passport) will be in my personal item.
I have traveled for years with two travel companies that cater to smaller groups. We were always told to use soft fabric suitcases, not hard-shell suitcases, so that all the passengers’ luggage could more easily be crammed into small luggage spaces on vans and small buses. I guess it’s good that I’m unable to travel like that anymore.
*SECURITY MUST-HAVE for Airports* (only $3!!): bit.ly/PP-nordvpn
Any case these days with any form of zips are useless...the thieves use the pen hack and things stolen.
I had SAS (Scandinavian airlines) broke my cases, stole stuff from my case and the last time they held up my case for the entire week I was on holiday only returning it on day I was travelling back. They laughed at my complaint. I hate flying now.
Also each airport seems to have their own stupid fake rules. You may pass through one airport where they say stuff in your luggage are legit and ok, only to be told by another on transit that you're carrying illegal stuff.
Africa is worst where staff eill take anything they feel they want from your case, claiming its illegal, or they force you to pay extra money to "allow yo carry the items through"..
bunch of thieves only.
What’s this to do with stolen or tampered-with suitcases?
@@mercyln6646 In India it's batteries.
Is that a wireless microphone attached to your dress? I've worked in health for 32 years, and I can say it's potentially risky to keep anything wireless near your breast tissue. In the UK when women started keeping their mobile phones in their bras, we had a noticeable increase in breast cancer from the signals. Of course, like the tobacco industry and the people who sold asbestos, the manufacturers do not want to admit any risk, so you will have to search beyond the curated google to read the evidence. But do bear in mind that these type of signals are similar to those that can cook food. And, if you check in 'General-Settings-Legal' you'll see that phone manufactures include a warning not to keep their device within 2cm of your skin. Please invest in a wired microphone or something on a stand - wireless seems convenient, but it's not worth the risk.
The best airport theft video ever was from an ABC News investigation. They purposely left an iPad behind at the airport check in. They later tracked it to the home of a TSA employee. The employee was confronted at his home by the reporter, but he denied he has it. The reporter then activates the iPad alarm and you can hear it ringing inside his house! LOL! The TSA employee brings out the iPad then blames his wife for taking it! He was actually on video taking the iPad from the airport. He got fired.
We have thieves working at airports as TSA employees and “security personnel 😂
Getting fired isn't enough. Criminal charges should have followed.
Hope the wife had a whole lotta things to tell her husband as well 😈
link haha? sounds awesome.
His wife must have been pleased 😬
Laws need to be changed to hold airlines accountable! The thieves are everywhere, even in the employment of the airlines!
There you go! I was witing for somebody say, hold the airlines or airports accountable.
Blacks face systemic oppression daily, plus the legacy of slavery. We have to cut them some slack
The TSA won't even hold their own people accountable... it all has to do with union rules and the fact that TSA employees are largely unscreened before being hired. TSA pawned it off to local police departments to do as an unfunded federal mandate and very few local police agencies consider it their responsibility to do the backgrounds for another agencies personnel.
Baggage handlers are a “ third party contractor “
@@notyourmama6511 convenient scapegoats. The airlines are ultimately responsible for their contractors
Unfortunately, all service industries now fully embrace ‘blame the victim’. It’s sad, but true.
Last summer was the first time I used an Airtag for an international flight. On return flight, my luggage not arrive in LAX with the rest of family's suitcases. The Airtag indicated that it was still at CDG in Paris. I immediatly reported it missing and where it was located according to the Airtag. I continued my trip on a connecting flight. The following morning I received a message that it was on another flight and I received it at home within 24 hours.
In 2009, I was on a business trip to Europe and flew back to the US on Lufthansa. When I opened my suitcase in the US, I felt something was missing, and finally noticed it was the plastic bag containing my dirty clothes. In that bag were 6-8 short sleeve Polo causal shirts, several Under Armor dry fit gym shirts plus socks, etc. While I awaited for a claim I filed with Lufthansa to be processed, I needed to replace my Polo shirts and went to the local Macy’s to do so. When I showed up at the counter with a stack of shirts, the sales clerk inquired why I was buying so many. I told her the story and remarked that I couldn’t understand why anyone would take my dirty laundry. She told me that it wasn’t a surprise to her because the $50 Polo shirts from Macy’s actually cost 4x that in Europe,and further added that the thief probably washed them (and other items) and then sold them on EBay. Weird, huh?
The woman whose bag was stolen by employee had a bright pink suitcase. Surveillance cameras showed him dragging it into the store he worked at, pulling out the laptop and putting it in a drawer.
What a Moron
There isn't anything in my suit case that anyone would want. I don't even want my own clothes lol
I might believe this coming from anyone other than Christopher Walken. I mean, have you seen that man's clothes?? How could anyone not want to look that stylish?!
@@foogod4237 No one wants my clothes...cuz I got a fever...and the only prescription... is MORE COWBELL !
@@foogod4237His suitcase is probably full of cowbells…😕
Yep! If they want my clothes that bad they can have them! I’m not a sucker to fashion or brand names, my cheap suitcase probably cost more than what’s inside of it! If they want my clothes they need them more than I do.
😂😂😂
Haha! Here's my story of a suitcase that stands out.
I used for a suitcase one of those Pelican-like hard plastic water-tight cases which I normally use to carry electronic equipment. Since the case is black, I decorated with black and yellow safety stripes (the nearby hardware store has something like 200 different kinds of Duck-Tape...). When I arrived at my destination, I found my case neatly put besides the carousel, next to three similar cases used to send aircraft parts. I inadvertently made my suitcase look like official airline cases!!!
Good one😅
I bet a “crew” suitcase would never be stolen 😂😂
I bought an expensive nightgown in Italy and put it in my checked luggage with the garment tags still attached, which showed that it was brand new and unworn. When I arrived home and opened my luggage, it was gone. Who took it, I’ll never know. Lesson learned, take off all merchandise sales tags before packing to lessen the chance that it will be stolen. 😢
Walmart has nightgowns for about $29.99. I'm being serious. Look, no one is going to be looking at you when you're off to la la land so why spend the extra $$$?
@@GplusGainsMaybe it was bought for sexy time at home 😊.
Airline: You must give us your bag
You: OK
Airline: here is your receipt
You: OK
Airline: We will transport your bag to your final destination - checks destination
You: OK
You: Where's my bag?
Airline: I don't know.
Also Airline: Not my problem ... be sure to leave us a review and we'll see you next time!
After retiring from federal law enforcement, I worked for an airline for a while after retiring. I put two heavy duty rubber and colorful name tags on all my checked luggage. I put our last name and both cell phone numbers for my wife and I, no address. Those pretty leather tags with belt like buckles fall off quite often on luggage belt pinch points or simply just come unhinged during handling. There have been cases of airline employees copying addresses of passengers flying and providing them to people who then break into homes knowing the occupants are out of town. I was at a small airport in an upscale resort area. I can't tell you how many times we get a delayed bag in with a name, home address and home phone number none of which helped let you know we got your bag. Also, never leave an airport without your bag until you have filed a claim in baggage services. This is necessary for potential claims and locating you to deliver your bag if you failed to follow the prior advice.
You do put that on the inside too right? Prior to cells, I'd put hotel number too.
Then you might know the "hack" such that the Traveler MUST BE PRESENT for any TSA inspections, allowing you to fully lock a case Hardcore Style: pack a legal, registered, licensed firearm, even the cheapest 22cal with no ammo for example. true?
for my wife and me
@@HansDelbruck53 Thanks for the lesson! You really added to the topic at hand. How can we thank you?
you probably can't post a url, but do you have a good name of the nametags you use? (for finding on amazon)
Great tips thanks Megan! I use Tile trackers in all my bags, including a shoulder bag I travel with. While in the Venice Airport last year, I hooked my shoulder bag onto the luggage cart while retrieving my bags from the carousel, I didn't notice when I got our bags on the cart my shoulder bag was gone. A few minutes later, I reached for my phone in my bag I had hooked onto the cart and realized my bag, camera, wallet, cash all were gone. We went to the Airport police to report it, and then I remembered the tile. Thank God! Vacation saved, the cop went to the exact spot the bag was pinging at and there it was, all contents intact. God was good to me that day!
What happened to the scumbag that took it?
What brand of tile did you use?
@@cgcases8554 Tile. That’s the brand name.
@@jeffreyharkness8551 yes, and I was lucky to see it returned. Every Vigilent!
@@jeffreyharkness8551 Sorry, the thief is at fault, stop making excuse or shifting blame.
Also you should check your bag immediately upon arrival. I had a picture that I had bubble wrapped and placed in a box in the checked suitcase. It was removed from packing and smashed upon arrival. A watch was missing too. I made a complaint to TSA because there was a form letter saying TSA searched it. I got reimbursement when I filed a tsa claim.
Another personal rule for us, move at least one outfit each to the other’s checked bag. That, along with the compression bag carrying extra underwear and a shirt can give you an extra day before having to run out and buy clothes.
We only check one bag between us usually, but we make sure we each have a bathing suit and a change of clothes in our carry on for that same reason!
A tip I hadn’t heard before! Cool! Thanks
I always put outfits for 3 days (including one formal dress and a swimsuit) and matching shoes in my carry-on.
I’ve done this for 30 years after one lost bag that ruined my vacation. We both take small carryons with at least 1 days worth of cloths, sandals, bathing suit, medications. The bags are small enough that we aren’t hassled to check our carryons. So far it’s worked great.
Your carry on should contain: 1. Meds. 2. Basic hygeine items and 3. A complete change of clothes. After that...whatever you want. Ever spill your drink onto your lap during a long haul flight? I have and the extra change of clothes was wonderful.
I always have my checked baggage wrapped; not because I worry about theft, but because I fear that someone may put contraband in my case with a view to retrieving it later. Imagine landing in Singapore and having drugs found in your baggage; it doesn't bear thinking about!
The solution is quite simple: (1) Remove all valuables, and pack NOTHING that can not be replaced at your destination; (2) Apple Trackers; (3) Lock the bag and I place a sticker on the top saying "All Valuables Removed" (I also tape a similar sign to my car window at the airport carpark. Im sure the local thieves appreciate my efforts).
Really not practical to remove all valuable items. And you should not have to do so.
so what if you don't have an Apple phone? You guys act like "Apple" is the ONLY phone out there. Before you get all Apple-defensive, I love people who consume their products, it helps me as a shareholder. Personally, I use Samsung.
It's more inviting with an aggressive note on suitcase
@benjamindover4033 Any valuables should either not be packed for the trip or stay in your personal bag that stays with you
Better advice than the video
I went from GSP to SLP in Mexico, but my bag got put on the wrong plane, and went to Honolulu from Houston. The people in customs in Mexico City were looking for my bag, and started laughing. They showed me how to track luggage. I watched my bag go all the way to Honolulu, turn around after a 6 hour wait for a plane back, saw it stop in Sab Fran, Houston, then Mexico City, the finally SLP. I got the bag a few hours before leaving for home. My bag did not even bring me a tee shirt from Hawaii.
At least you had the helpful friendly Mexican workers
@@M_SC I got to learn about the gigantic Mexican department store chain Soriana, they are like a Belk, Walmart, Home Depot, and AutoZone all in one.
It's occurred to me that my luggage has traveled more than I have.
While eating your frozen taco dinner bought from Soriana, were your eyes locked onto that little bleep tracking your Target bought orange luggage as it were dancing across the Pacific? Did you shed a tear as it were being man-handled in San Fran and then in Houston?
Yep. Checked my bag. The bag had a TSA lock on it. But, someone punched a hole in the zipper on the bag to get inside which ruined the zipper and I could no longer use the bag. Nothing was stolen. But, it was frustrating to get my bag back damaged and useless. Thieves deliberately take jobs at airports because they know it's unlikely they will get caught. And if they are caught they will just be fired and nothing else will happen to them.
@@PhotoTrekr To work at the airport, you are fingerprinted and must pass a criminal background check. This is repeated throughout your career. The vast majority of airline workers are the most honest people you will ever meet.
@@janetplanet09 Then why do so many people report stolen items from their luggage? I've looked out of my window on the plane and seen first hand how luggage is treated by airport employees. This guy was haphazardly throwing suitcases from one cart to another. He wasn't even looking where he was throwing them. Half of them bounced off of the cart onto the ground. I couldn't believe he was doing this in front of a plane full of people. When I was in school a friend of mine took a job at the airport washing planes and doing whatever needed to be done. Do people with temporary jobs also go through screening?
@@PhotoTrekr EVERYONE is fingerprinted and screened. I suggest if you see questionable behavior, photograph it and bring it to the attention of the airline. Management will come down on these offenders.
@@janetplanet09 Well, that's not my job. That's the job of whoever is supposed to be managing these people. When I'm flying somewhere it's either for business and I'm in a hurry or it's for pleasure and I just want to relax and enjoy myself.
@@PhotoTrekr For the amount of time you have spent commenting on this video, you could have put in a formal complaint with the airline that destroyed your bag. A famous video was made by a guy who taped a baggage handler destroying his guitar. He wrote a song, put it on social media and got not just compensation from United Airlines but 15 minutes of fame and several million views. He made a small fortune off of it. But you do you
when you have checked your bag, (even gate-checked) and your flight is cancelled/delayed, they don't give you the bag back. They keep it.
I gate checked my bag in June, boarded the flight, then we all deplaned, I was booked on a different flight, they did locate my bag and re-tag it and I was given a new claim ticket, but they didn't give me the bag back. Then my rebooked flight was cancelled, and I spent the night sleeping on the floor, and they would not give us our bags back, (no vacancies in local hotels, and when you don't have your luggage you don't have pajamas or clean clothes to change into which kind of makes going to a hotel less appealing anyway)
When I finally arrived at my destination 24 hours later than expected, my luggage didn't.
That took another 18 hours.
My suitcase was out of my hands for 44 hours, for a domestic flight.
If I had an experience like that, I would probably never fly again.
@@t.h.8475 I’m with you!!! Who would ever fly again and that should have made the local news at least
I dress way down when traveling. Cheap suit cases, cheap $30 watch, A very very old MacBook Air loaded with movies and music, old clothing and very warm hoodie with big pockets. I carry Passport, two credit cards, 200 USD and 200 Euros in small demoninations in Pacsafe shoulder bag. I load up a sandwich and snacks after security and stuff my pockets full. I carry a empty water bottle through security and buy water and fill my own bottle. I don't eat airline prepared food or iced drinks / water. At my destination preorder a private car service and have them waiting for me. I do put an apple tracker in my checked luggage- I'm still found of my old stuff :) BTW I love your videos!
So…where do the water and sandwhich come from if you don’t buy them from the airport
@@someoneyoudontknow7705i think this person takes an empty water bottle then fills it at the airport. Also stated airline food. I didn’t read into it does not eat any food. Just my take on it.
@@someoneyoudontknow7705Reading comprehension!!!
It’s ashamed that you can’t
travel without worrying that the Employer at the Airport will Steal your bag
As a retired airline employee, I fly standby and as the last person to board often have my carry on bag checked. I always have a strong nonwoven or nylon shopping bag in the outside pocket of the carryon and remove any valuable items before they take my luggage. No one has ever refused me that little bag as it will fit under the seat along with my personal item. Another tip is to take a photo of the contents of your suitcase if you have expensive items along with keeping receipts for them. That will help with the claim process. If you can substantiate the loss from your suitcase (that the zipper or lock was compromised), file a claim with the airline. I worked for a legacy carrier, and we tried to do right by our customers. We keep luggage secured in my station and hired security. And if you regularly travel with expensive items, consider travel insurance or a rider on your homeowner/rental insurance policy.
Your tip about taking a photo is brilliant!
I’ve used an apple tag and “it works” when our luggage didn’t arrive at our final destination! We were in Rome..the luggage was still in London(Heathrow). We finally were able to receive/get it!
Glad you were able to find your luggage! Hope you had a great time in Rome!
Thieves are now using air tags to place in suitcases, bags and jacket to find where people stay. They more clever also found way to disable airtags, there apps that can scan luggage for airtags.
@@mikni4069every Apple phone will alert users there is an Air Tag near them. Don’t need special apps.
Did the airline admit it?
Air tags are easy to detect, even with an android phone, I am sure the thieves have figured the one out?
I don’t understand why we don’t scan our ticket and the barcode on the suitcase when you leave the baggage collection area. This would tie a specific luggage to a person, flagging up if the case was not yours, and proving he luggage left the area
I’m with you why don’t they have someone checking your exit with your bag!!
Back in the late 80s early 90s we used to show our ticket to match the numbers on each bag!
I never put valuables in my checked brilliant yellow bag, have an air tag inside and am prepared with an emergency change of clothing in my personal item. I learned that lesson when a whole cup of coffee was spilled over my shoulder and the whole way down my front. Not sure who would ever want the women's plus sized clothing in my bag but you never know! I also use compression packing cubes so if they REALLY want my black polka dot blouse, they are going to have to open all those cubes to find it.
Agreed. There is nothing valuable in my checked bags (if I have one) or my rollaboard (in case I’m forced to check). I also use packing cubes, a luggage lock, an AirTag, and a luggage sleeve. I don’t travel with expensive jewelry and my electronics are in my personal item bag. I even put AirTags in my carry ons. If anyone manages to steal my backpack, I’m tracking them.
Bring your old clothes. Stinky shoes. No valuables.
It's called Hollywood/Ft Lauderdale International Airport in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
I was reading Dickens’s “Tale of Two Cities”. There’s a whole long passage about the risks and paranoia of highway travel during the 1700’s. The risks include not only robbery by bandits, but that there is a whole system and network involving the drivers of the wagons, their deals with robbers, and warehousers. Quite the eye-opener.
@@axiomaddict True; theft has been around as long as "the oldest profession" As you referenced, it's probably not just one lone ranger who targets certain bags; it takes a village to make it happen
My husband and I were traveling internationally to attend a concert convention weekend. Friends arriving ahead of us were all posting pictures at YUL of hundreds of bags sitting in baggage claim, while others were reporting their bags hadn't arrived.
Once you leave the secured area, you can't go back to retrieve your bags. So we bought a pair of air tags for our own peace of mind.
Those airtags stay in our luggage. Like you, we placed ours behind the lining. So far, so good - and it's really nice to be able to see that our bags have made it into the luggage compartment on the plane before takeoff!
Such a good feeling to know your bags are flying with you! happy travels!
I live at YUL. Theft isn’t a problem here
I'm a retired Cop and used to have fun with TSA. I wrapped my suitcase in one full round of "evidence" tape. TSA said that was prohibited so I asked to see that rule in print. There is no such rule, I knew that and have their webpage with rules bookmarked on my phone. When threatened with boarding will be denied (which they CAN do for no real reason) I show my credentials. It's no fun anymore..they don't care they just x-ray the bag like 3 times now
@@crazy4dariver thanks for holding up the line for your little prank.
Thank you for your service. Some people don't have a sense of humor now a days.
Recently my daughter in law was being sexually harassed on a flight. The airline refused to do anything about it. It was a well known major airline. These airlines need to get so much better in all areas!
Now-a-days men are accused of "sexually harassing" women if they compliment them on their looks. Paying attention towards women isn't a crime.
Cool story. What does it have to do with travel luggage security?
Publish it! Newspaper or TV!
On my last flight I was forced to do a complimentary check of my carry on at the gate because there wasn’t space and I was in a late boarding group. It was a real pain. Had to wait around for it forward, and I had to carry all my power banks in my pockets during the flight. I really hate airlines.
@@MitchBurns Put a reusable shopping bag in your carryon. Then if it happens again you can put your power banks in the bag.
For those of you who only take a carry-on, pack a recycled bag. That way, if you are made to check said carry-on, you can take out your meds, laptop, etc., and put said items in your recycle bag.
I’m not quite understanding…”recycle bag”? If you’re made to check your carry-on, why are you putting these items in a “recycle bag”? What happens next?
I put meds n small electronics in a "purse" sized soft cooler. It doesn't count as a carry in bit a personal item. 😊
What is that bag your talking about please?
You carry it onto the plane, probably @@someoneyoudontknow7705
@@someoneyoudontknow7705 I think they are referring to a reusable grocery bag made of recycled materials. I carry one, too, for the same reason. It’s vi lightweight.
@@janetplanet09 Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about - a recycled bag you take to the store to put your purchases in. So, you have to check your carry-on. Now you are left with your purse and your recycled bag is your "new" carry-on bag.
I know someone who puts a bag in another bag and double locks the bag inside and the bag outside too, they work for a loss prevention department and they know a thing or two as it were. Whatever the rules are some people will try to bend them to suit their own needs as it were. Airports are not bad places just make sure you know the rules and what to expect at the airport you are going to, they are not all the same and some staff just want to get things done. Take nothing for granted and always be alert as it were. Depending on your bank you might find as part of their services you get holiday or personal insurance so that’s something to look at as you probably pay for it and don’t make use of it. Remember to remove all the barcodes and the like from previous flights as that might cause your bag to get lost or sent to a different destination. Try to avoid bags that are too hard to spot on the carousel at the airport, ok not everyone will have a Samsonite or Delsey bag but they sell a good few of them every year. I’m not sure if you can have a vinyl wrap on your luggage but one of those might work as they say. Listen to what the security folk say and no matter what be polite, they have a job to do and can make things difficult if you don’t do as asked.
brilliant idea about the bag within a bag! even a cloth bag inside a hardshell would slow down a potential theft.
Hardshell in a hardshell is far too heavy to be practical unless you want to check under 30lbs of stuff per bag.
It's going to take legislation with punitive penalties to make airlines & airports take responsibility for their employee's actions. The fact that this isn't already in place is pathetic.
For years I've used a paint pen to mark the bottom of my suitcase with my last name. I also put it in the little recess where the handle stores. I can see my case arrive on the carousel regardless which way it comes out into the public area.
I can't tell you how many times when I was flying home from somewhere in California I had my TSA approved lock just cut off. I paid extra for the locks they wouldn't have to destroy, yet almost every time I flew out of California they acted like it was a lock they couldn't access.
I guess luggage theft is a common problem. I used to work near our airport and there was a storm drainage ditch along the airport employee parking areas. The ditch had many empty luggage and suitcases in there. Anybody could have guessed the thefts were being done by people with access to the airline loading carts and trucks.
This comment points exactly to the real issue. Thief's go where the loot is. Predator's to where the prey are.
This happened to me recently, I had some sales samples stolen from my checked bag on Southwest, during a flight fro Orlando to Denver, and Southwest’s response was, essentially, “not our problem.” That free checked bag ended up costing me $250 to replace the sales samples.
What were the samples if you don't mind me asking.
Ql@@gigi9301
In November when returning home to the states on British Airways, I had put a handful of coins in a pair of Smartwool socks into my checked bag (coins were souvenirs for a young cousin.) Coins and socks were both missing when I got home. I was upset about the socks - they cost 30 bucks!
I had a large hard shell case that went missing for a week, when it finally arrived it smelt weird and had a few fish scales on it, nothing was missing but the airline couldn't explain where it had been or why it was all fishy, so strange🤔
Regarding the Pen Hack/Zipper Locks and Trackers
Part of the 'Pen Hack' relies on being able to slider the zipper back around to close the zipper teeth after opening it with a pen. Just locking the zippers together still allows that to happen. Built-in zipper locks don't allow this to happen. If you had a Zip-Tie or luggage lock, secure it through a handle, so they can not be slid around.
Hiding trackers in the lining is a good idea. However, a lot of new hard side luggage is including 'Carbon Fiber' in the shell. CF can attenuate (block) radio signals and shorten the detection range of your tracker. Check for yourself by testing your tracker with the device inside of the luggage and outside on the handle.
Whenever possible, carry on your luggage. I took a charter and when I got to my destination, half my luggage was missing. I used packing cubes and all my clothes were taken out. It was easy for the TSA agent. Grab two handles and all my clothes were gone. I asked when, where and who inspected my luggage and the TSA Supervisor was up front about the process, she was also extremely persistent that it couldn't have happened on her watch. I filed a claim against the airport, the TSA agency and the airline. After much finger pointing, I basically got told there was nothing anyone would or could do for me. I basically got told to pound sand. Happily, and with a thousand apologies, the hotel that chartered the flight had their limo driver take me to wherever I needed to go to replace my clothing. Props to them but to the multi million dollar agencies that were responsible for the theft, well, I guess I shouldn't expect anything less.
We usually travel carry-on only, but on our trip to Europe in June 2024 we flew Austrian Air which had a 8kg (17.6lb) weight limit, so we did end up checking a bag for our over-weight items. No problems going over, but we had a 6hr layover in Frankfurt on the way back to the U.S. Our luggage never showed up at SFO upon returning home and our AirTag showed it was still at the Frankfurt airport. Our luggage was never loaded on the return flight most likely because our first flight arrived so far in advance of our second flight. Unfortunately we had no control over checking in the baggage at the Frankfurt airport, but United delivered it to us at home the next day. Thanks for your very informative videos!
I used a Samsung tag my last trip. It’s comforting to see your bag is right beside the aircraft after boarding. All my valuables are in my carry on bag along with a change of clothes just in case.
same thought, and under the seat also.
Great video as always! Very informative. To answer your question, yes, I have had to track my bag. Those AirTags are one of the best purchases I've made. On a recent trip, we were transiting through LHR. When we got to HAM, lo and behold, no bag. And no employee who would make us an IRROP report either. But I was able to make a claim online. At one point, I saw that the bags were in HAM (next day or so) and I went a bit Karen. I took screenshots and asked, "Why is it taking so long to have the bags delivered? They are IN HAM!" We got the bags later that day.
Ya. Sometimes it really is necessary to stand up for yourself.
I tried the cable tie method of locking our luggage on a trip to Dominican Republic. On the way home, customs officials decided my bag looked suspicious and I was called in to go through the bag with them. Unfortunately nobody had a knife or scissors to cut the cable tie and open the bag. It took a half hour of searching before they could open the bag. I don’t even lock my bags anymore. I just carry on my valuables in a small backpack.
I use cable ties, but put toenail clippers in the side pocket of the case. Would help customs, but more important, you need to be able to cut them at your destination.
Megan - thank you for a great video. I don’t travel often, but when I do, it’s to visit family and be that I have disabilities, I usually pack a free medical bag containing medical items like my CPAP etc. I also put my walker through luggage claim and pushed in a wheelchair throughout the airport as I cannot walk the huge amounts needed to transverse get to the gate.
I’m glad somebody in the comments or replies mentioned the vital medications. In the past, I have been on some controlled medication’s, which I must keep on my person because I am responsible for their safe passage. I’m so glad I’m off of one in particular, because it has a great street value. I just take Tylenol for pain now as well as relaxation methods. It’s too dangerous because too many people can figure out the way you walk that you’re in pain and if you’re in pain, you must have pain medicine that contains controlled substances.
Never had a problem in the past, except the one time I packed all my medication‘s in their original containers as ruled by the airline. But apparently the airline did not follow their own rules. This was evident by the perplexity of searching and trying to figure out why I was carrying in my personal item a metal box, locked medication‘s, with all the small bottles of prescription medication‘s, including insulin, which needed to be accompanied by a freezer gel pack.
I’m a senior citizen, and with only one or two flights every couple of years, prior to UA-cam, I was on my own to figure things out. I was using in the middle container because it had a child proof combination lock. Visiting young grandkids back then I couldn’t take a chance. I knew it would show up an x-ray, I wasn’t surprised that they had to look in it, I was just surprised that more people didn’t pack there medication‘s in the same way I did. None of my medications, except the insulin pens were in liquid form.
#10 Use a credit card that offers insurance coverage for lost or stolen luggage. Many people are not even aware of the various benefits their credit cards provide, but it makes a huge difference when you actually need to access those benefits. You may recall the Seinfeld episode where Jerry rents a car, and George crashes it. Jerry asks the agent, "Doesn't my credit card cover the damage?" The agent responds, "Sorry, not THAT credit card." Rookie mistake! 😆
This is why I don’t pack valuables in checked luggage. I lose sight of it thus I waiver control over it.
Every airline tells you not to pack valuables in checked luggage. I find it insane that she left a laptop in her bag; even if it's not stolen, the risk of damage is high.
MY PARENT'S TRAVELED THE GLOBE IN THE 90'S... NEVER A WORRY... SHOWS HOW DANGEROUS THE WORLD IS NOW!!!!!
I have traveled recently ..never had a problem ...
I haven't had any problems ever. I've had my luggage driven to me by the airlines twice, up to 150 miles away. Crime in general is actually down. But that's per capita. And there are ever more people in the world! Hold your valuables on your person. If you have too many valuables to do that easily, I'm sure you have insurance for your equipment.
WHY IS THE OP SHOUTING????
Then you just had good luck in the 90th!
There are just more ways to hear about things happening now.
Lithium batteries (laptops, tablets, phones, etc) should never be checked.
There are so many luggage just spinning on the carousel with their owner's still not there that can be snatched up by anyone at the airport. I always am amazed that there aren't more stolen luggage
Years ago there was always a guy at the exit and you could not exit before you showed you bag stub and they check it if it matches, now noones is checking it
@@daylightdaylight6612 It's pretty much a free for all
Some people believe that their luggage is checked all the way through to their final destination but it may not be.
@@JudyCurrie depending, if it is on one ticket the baggage must be checked till final destination, if it are split tickets than it is almost impossible to check it trough.
We returned on an international flight where only 11 bags showed up at the carousel. Numerous people were telling the agents that their own tracking was wrong as their own trackers showed it was actually there, or at least not where the agents claimed -- what a mess. We confirmed 2 of ours were indeed not there and proceeded to our connecting flight. One bag was delivered 3 days later the other in about a week.
Oh my! That is a lot of missing bags! Nice to hear you got yours back!
@@PortableProfessional Us too! We couldn’t believe how many either, I was stunned.
You can (or could) buy packs of sequentially numbered cable ties that are bright orange or yellow. They have a break off section that has the same serial number that you can put in your wallet/handbag. There have been a number of cases where travellers have had their luggage opened and prohibited items put inside - either by criminals using suitcaes to move unlawful goods and their member at the receiving airport missing the pickup or for some countries, airport Customs or Security trying to shake down tourists for kickbacks/ fake 'fines' for having prohibited items in their luggage. If the bag arrives without the numbered tie, or with the wrong tie, this may save you from an unsceduled visit to prison.
How would you prove you had that in place though?
I had never thought about bad people putting stuff inside! Yikes!😱
@@nailsofinterestyup, it was happening in the Philippines a few years ago.
We locked our bags with padlocks, put cable ties through the zipper pulls, then got them wrapped.
On our carry on we got ties and tied all our zips together over and over to deter anyone from tampering with them.
It's this that scares me the most, not having something stolen. I don't carry valuables anyway.
You can also wrap your luggage yourself and it works great, if not better.
We used glad wrap and then covered the entire thing in duct tape. It's a million times cheaper, actually more sturdy and difficult to get into and we could make sure every single opening was taped shut, something the professional wrappers don't do.
@@katyb2793what happens if they want to inspect your suitcase? I’ve been to some airports where it’s forbidden to wrap a suitcase as it’s supposed to be easy for them to investigate what’s inside without ruining your suitcase. And if you have it sealed in some way they’re not responsible for breaking the lock or ruining the suitcase in some way
@@katyb2793 this was in several countries in Europe. Tbh it was a while back span of 5-10 years ago when I was traveling a lot. So in all fairness I don’t remember exactly in which airports I’ve seen this because I traveled so much back in the day 🤷🏼♀️🙈🤣
And I agree. Having that wrap on defo does feel safer and deters thieves.
It’s funny throughout all my travels I only got my luggage lost once and it arrived the next day (Air France, and I’m never traveling with them again not just because of that but many other reasons, and also not through Paris CDG airport). And I’ve never had my stuff stolen. But seems this is becoming a more common occurrence lately.
Note for those who don't have Apple devices: Google has now (finally!) launched an equivalent tracking network for Android phones/etc, and there are a few manufacturers now starting to sell Airtag-like devices that work with Android phones too. It will probably still be a little while before it's as robust and ubiquitous as the Apple version, but it's still worth looking into if you're in the other camp and still want to track your luggage in a more high-tech manner...
That's good to know. Been waiting for an android alternative.
I use luggage covers with my dog’s face printed on them. We check 4 suitcases - each cover has the same photo but a different colored border so I can keep track of which bag is which in case of loss. I figure no one will be mistaken or brazen enough to walk off with it while 4 of us are there collecting them from baggage claim. Also they’re more difficult to get into - thief more likely to pick a different bag to break into and pilfer.
Travelled to Washington DC and on arrival found our suitcase partially unzipped with the neck end of an expensive £130 bottle of whisky poking out.
It appears that luckily for us, we had double wrapped it in bubble wrap as well as an inflated bubble sleeve with lots of gaffer tape holding everything together.
Bottle was apparently too fat to be simply and unobtrusively removed so our son-in-law got his whisky!
One thing you may not be aware of is theft as you check your bag in. ALWAYS check your luggage tag that they put on your bag. I has a guy at the counter put the wrong flight tag on my bag. My friend noticed it was not for our flight. She told him and he ignored her. We had ti insist that it be changed. I believe that this is a system of sending your bag to a different airport for a partner to pick up. You used to have to show your baggage tag to prove the bag was yours but I have not had to do this in a long time.
I use TSA locks on ALL zippered pockets outside my bag. The TSA locks have a red button that activates when the TSA lock is opened by TSA. Cable ties can be cut. I had a TSA cable tied lock cut by a Greek cruise line but lucky for me nothing was taken because I don't pack anything valuable or worth stealing on the outside pocket of my suitcase anyway. I also advise EVERY US traveler to be aware of their rights through the US Department of Transportation website. Airlines only have certain responsibilities by law to travelers and it is YOUR responsibiility to know your rights. Incidentally, if you travel cheap airlines, you get what you pay for and NOTHING more - they nickel and dime you for everything so why would anyone expect them to pay anything in recompense for problems they cause? Put your medications and valuables in your "personal item" such as purse, backpack or any other item you wear on your body. It is common sense that nowadays there is a HUGE chance a bag will have to be checked and if a traveler is NOT prepared, it could be an issue. I think people need to be more aware of the rules, plan, prepare, and know your rights.
Keys for TSA locks can be bought on Amazon.
I read a comment once where this couple claimed they packed broken electronics in their packed bags and more often than not, when they got to their destination, the items were gone. Bottom line, like it or not, packing anything valuable in your bag is a complete gamble. If they don't steal the whole bag (check recent news reports) they'll take your items.
I only buy suitcases with metal zippers and then use TSA approved locks to lock them. The pen hack does not work on them, so they get left alone. I also pack my valuables and medications in my carry on suitcase or personal item so that they stay with me always.
Actually, many airlines do take this very seriously. They install hidden cameras in cargo bins along with undercover operations to try and find the culprits. I always use trackers (airtags) on my bags. Also, not all zippers can be be opened with a ball-point pen. The high-end bags (like Pacsafe) offer puncture resistant zippers on some of their backpacks and nags.
All good points here.
Back when I was traveling regularly, including overseas, I would pack AND SHIP via FedEx those items that would not fit in my personal bag. I flew United, Delta, and Southwest. Yes, this is expensive. One time when I didn't do that, traveling to make a presentation at a conference with slides, United misrouted my checked luggage...and slides. I was able to make do with improvised visual examples, so the presentation was a success. Shipping my "suitcase" directly to the hotel saved time and worry. It meant I needed an extra set of toiletries, but that was "in the noise" as a one-time purchase. (Tip: if you use this method, include a disposable packing tape dispenser to re-seal your "suitcase" for the return.)
All of my employers were willing to bear the shipping expenses when I was on company travel. For one overseas trip to Taiwan, the 460 pounds of equipment needed for the trip was sent (and returned) air freight, on a pallet, including my suitcase. That was most unusual.
Long ago, airports would employ security to both watch the baggage claim area and ensure, one-by-one, that everyone leaving the baggage claim area had his or her own suitcase. Now we have to provide our own security. Good on you, Megan, for highlighting these recommendations.
AirTags are great. One thing people may not think about is the batteries in them die. We bought some for a trip in 2022. One of them alerted us a few months ago that the battery was low. It is easy to switch the battery and if you’ve had the AirTag awhile and have a trip planned you may want to swap out the battery before the trip. 2 of the 4 I bought alerted me the battery was low. I don’t know why the other two are fine. I bought a 4 pack.
Thanks for sharing that. Safe travels, Marybeth.
I remove the batteries after every trip to hopefully make them last longer. Of course, replacing with new batteries before every infrequent trip is fairly inexpensive insurance.
Don't take valuables or expensive clothes. They can be purchased or rented at your destination. No one's EVER stolen Walmart sweats and sneakers from me.
i used my Samsung Smartags on my trip to SE Asia and they worked well, but did give me a panic when I landed in Bangkok and they were last seen in Taipei (I assume they just were far from a phone that was on). I did not know about the sleeves! I upgraded my Monos bag to a latch style to avoid the zipper hack but a sleeve would just make it that much more annoying for a thief. Great tips as always! It seems you are a bottomless wealth of knowledge!
It happened to me a few years ago. All the luggage had been taken by the other travellers on my flight. I immediately checked the next luggage station and I found my luggage sitting there. It had been mistakenly sent to the wrong luggage station.
I use Air tags, and constantly check to make sure my luggage made it on the plane and then on my ship. I also use the luggage locks AND an additional lock. IF they want in them , security does have a way to get into it.
I travel with a battered and tatty old hard shell Samsonite. It does the job as well as any fancy new suitcase, but gives the impression that its owner doesn't have anything worth stealing!
Great tips. I traveled on business internationally for over 3 decades. The decline of the experience has made me decide to never fly again. I have 4 items I track with air tags (and not for air travel): My truck, my computer/brief case, my photo backpack, and my hiking pack.
After all those years of travel I can understand wanting to stay on the ground. Thanks for watching!
I don't like the bags with the external pockets. I read a story about someone who found a brick of ganga in his suitcase pocket when he got to Bali. It seems that an airline employee in Australia put it there and it was supposed to have been retreived by another employee at his destination, but something went wrong. Somehow it went through customs undetected. The Australian embassy told him to flush it and change hotels, and not to call the Indonesian police. Schapelle Corby said that is what happened to her, and there is reasonable doubt because her surf bag wasn't locked. She wouldn't have been convicted in a lot of western countries, but she ended up in jail in Bali for nine years.
Whenever possible travel light and remember this slogan;
There are two types of luggage. Carry on and stolen/lost.
That’s a positive way to look at it🤣. Happy travels!
I drop an airtag in my luggage hidden in some clothes and I drop one in my truck if I have to leave it in the unsecured, overflow lot of the airport shuttle bus I use to get to Boston/Logan. Parking at Logan is incredibly expensive but IMO is a bit more secure since it's behind gates and more on camera and well lit.
I always use a steel cable to lock my gun to the inside of the luggage. This makes it hard for a baggage handler or TSA agent to make a quick grab and sneak the gun out on their person. I know of cases where luggage arrived but the owners gun was missing. The cable can also be used to lock the gun to the interior of a rental car (trunks are a target of theft, especially in states where stickers of license plate prefixes identify rental cars).
I was traveling from the US to Bahrain, via Germany. When I got to Bahrain, I had my hand-held bag, but not my two large bags with everything else. I got them two weeks later, after they had continued their journey to India. Lucky them! Gulf Air, the Bahrain national airline immediately owned up to the problem and provided a voucher so I could buy sufficient clothing and sundries to keep me clothed. After the bags were in my hands, they just wrote off the voucher as customer relations were more important to them than a few hundred dollars.
At about 6:30... wrapping luggage in layers of plastic film draws TSA attention to your checked luggage item as a possible container of drugs/contraband or other prohibited substances or objects such as flammables/explosives that can be identified by smell, by either trained dogs or sensors. It makes it look suspiciously like you're trying to hide something in your bag from routine sniff searches. So don't be surprised if your plastic luggage wrap is removed when you next see your checked suitcase at baggage claim. The plastic gave them a reason (known in law enforcement slang as a "fishing license") to give your bag higher scrutiny.
This has happened to me.
It was a pretty common practice in parts of Asia when the bullet scam was happening. You want to know nobody has put something in your luggage as much as whether somebody has taken something out.
Thank you, Megan! We found AirTags hugely helpful on a recent trip. One of our check bags went missing. It greatly lowered the blood pressure to be able to know where it was as it made its way back to us.
That is great to hear!
Years ago I had a room mate (for a very, very short time) that worked as a baggage handler at Anchorage Int. He was stealing fishing poles and musical instruments every chance he got and selling them at pawn shops. Never got busted as far as I knew but I dropped him as a friend.
I live in Canada and I travel two times every winter to south Texas. I have had two hard side suitcases destroyed by airlines…
The only “bad” thing that ever happened to me was once forgetting a camera tripod on the seat at disembarkment. When I realized, the plane was already taking off for its next destination, overseas. The airline called me as soon as it came back, which was just the next day.
I keep my valuables in my notebook computer case. But, in one instance, an airline sent my luggage on a flight that left before mine, without notifying me. Fortunately, the airline gathered my unclaimed bag off the turnstile, which I finally found at the airline baggae area.
My husband and I lost both 25 kg suitcases after they were checked in from Oslo to Tromso. Almost a year later no suitcases, no apology and no compensation from Scandic airline. Travel insurance paid only items I could prove were in them, which is practically impossible. Lost about $8,000 worth of goods in total.
They must be somewhere.
That is so unfortunate! Both suitcases!
Yes Megan, on my return to the US from a golf trip to Scotland I noticed that my clubs were still in Paris. I now make sure that all my luggage (checked or carry on) contains an Apple Air Tag. Worth every penny!
I always feel scared and anxious because of this theft of luggage 😢😢❤❤
They've got cameras everywhere now.
WHY ARE THERE NOT CAMERAS ON THE EMPLOYEES HANDLING OR "CHECKING" INSIDE LUGGAGE?
This is why you sue all of the parties involved. Add as many extra charges as you can.
If the crook is caught press charges.
Travel light. Just bring what you really need.
Great video, Megan! I've lost count of all the reasons NOT to fly Spirit Airlines.
Glad you enjoyed watching!
We have used Apple AirTags for the first time last year coming home from Europe, and thank goodness we did.
Our flight from Toronto to Calgary to Vancouver was cancelled and we had to re-book. We had to also track and reclaim our luggage. Thankfully the AirTags helped tremendously in that, and we were able to gather our stuff and re-book safely and securely.
Great to know they worked for you! Thanks for watching, Brian!
I know a photographer who'd travel with a starter pistol. You couldn't actually shoot anyone with it, but it triggered all the firearm regulations - specifically it needed to be individually inspected at check-in, locked in the presence of TSA with a real lock, to which the TSA did not have keys, etc.
Everyone abusing this regulation won’t help airplanes fly on time
@@M_SC Then travel with a real firearm.
My wife has a CPAP machine that she needs to sleep, and it was hell bringing it through every airport. All the TSA agents acted like they never seen one before. Then they would pull all the components out of the case, and made us repack it. My wife finally got a travel one, which is much smaller, and they didn't seem to check as much.
Now, how do we keep TSA from stealing from the bags? I recently had that happen.
I buy colorful (definitely not black or white) zip ties about 4” long and use them to secure the zipper pulls from being moved away from a handle without breaking. Cheap TSA access indicator as well. I do have to have a tool of some sort with my carry on to remove them at my destination.
Well I guess one thing you can do with a tracker if you want to put your own in a suitcase, is to put it in a box of personal hygiene products such as tampons or pads, even if you've already passed the menopause (or stuff it in with your continence protection if that applies to you), just so that they'll see something they're not interested in. How many thieves are going to go after tampons, pads, or worse yet, enema equipment? It's a little bit out there, but I'm guessing they won't be trying to swipe those things.
Question: Are those TSA keys not available to thieves? There just be thousands of them. How could the TSA insure that they're all safe. They can't even detect all the guns that go through the scanners.
Good point, Michael! I have never thought about it!
@@PortableProfessionalkeys for TSA locks are available on Amazon.
Not only do they not detect all guns through scanners, but they routinely miss about 95% of all dangerous and prohibited items when they are tested!
@@PortableProfessionalI'm shocked. That was my very first thought when I heard about those locks.
@@tejaswomanfirst thing I thought about too. Probably can be picked up somewhere just like the key to release spider locks Home Depot or electronic stores wrap on often stolen items.
One regular flight from Toronto to Tampa PLANS not to get all luggage aboard due to excess weight. The bags that don’t arrive with the passengers but are delivered to your hotel early the next morning. We watched exhausted families from abroad, heading to Disneyworld, realize they had no luggage on arrival. Panic set in for one man who had packed his heart medication. This always happens on that same flight!
I highly recommend a bluetooth tracker in your bags (checked or not). I had my carry-on luggage gate checked on a United flight due to "not enough" overhead bin space. After a 45 mintute delay, I ended up missing my connecting flight. Surprisingly, my bag made it, and my Samsung Smart Tag reassured me of my bag's location when the airline put me up for the night.
Also, please use your luggage locks or purchase TSA approved locks, even if you carry on. You never know if you have to gate check or become separated from your bag for any reason.
All my meds go into a travel backpack that I take everywhere. As I am physically dusabled, I carry controlled substances, and Im not about to let my meds out of my sight. If you have a medical device ie, a CPAP, that dies not count against you for carryon luggage. I will not allow anything valuable to be in my checked luggage, just my clothes. If somebody wants my clothes, they can knock themselves out, especially if theyre looking for plus size clothing. I do not wear any designers, so they sure wont get much for my clothes! My purse goes in my backpack, too.
In the area I live, it isnt any cheaper to fly a LCC or a ULCC than it is to fly a legacy airline, so why should I fly LCC or ULCC? I go with the best airline in the US- I fly Delta. It's worth paying a little more for, when they take such good care of me, and they're really good about my checked luggage. And no, Delta isn't giving me anything to say that. Delta really is that good. United has lost my luggage and so has American't. Ive not had that problem with Delta.
If you can't afford to lose it, DON'T PACK IT IN CHECKED LUGGAGE. Unless you are not going to be near a laundromat or washer-dryer, or you're transporting something large and clumsy, why pack a big bag to check? Think small, think portable, think light!
On non-business travel, I've also been known to send my clothes ahead via UPS Ground, and have them come home the same way. It's often cheaper than checking a bag, and my friends don't mind.
I often ship my dirty laundry home by UPS. It frees up room in my bag for souvenirs. Once I shipped a suitcase home by Fedex. But, I wouldn't recommend it. It arrived more beat up than usual.
I’m going to Europe in September and have set out to only pack in my personal item and carry on suitcase (I bought smaller ones that fit the Ryanair dimensions). This way, everything is getting onto the plane with me, but if I’m forced to check my suitcase, it’ll only be clothes in there. Everything of value (which are my meds, kindle, and travel documents/passport) will be in my personal item.
I have traveled for years with two travel companies that cater to smaller groups. We were always told to use soft fabric suitcases, not hard-shell suitcases, so that all the passengers’ luggage could more easily be crammed into small luggage spaces on vans and small buses. I guess it’s good that I’m unable to travel like that anymore.