This past summer we were flying home from Europe and had a very tight connection at JFK, where we had to go through customs and retrieve/recheck our luggage. A bunch of bags from our flight out of Heathrow didn't come up on the carousel at JFK, and as the minutes ticked away an airline representative told us all that we should just go; our bags must not have made it onto the plane. We had AirTags in all of our bags, and I was able to pull up FindMy on my phone, clearly showing that our bags were directly below where we were standing. The rep we'd been working with radioed down to the bowels and a baggage handler found *all* the lost bags and sent them up. It was touch and go, but we all made the next flight, and I was the hero of the day!
I was about to suggest that the best way to avoid lost luggage was to NOT fly Delta thru JFK on international flights. In 2014/15, I was doing this regularly and every time my luggage was "lost." It got to be a joke between me and the baggage rep at my home airport. That was the old days before air tags; now I use those.
Only write your name and phone number - not your home address. You don't want anyone breaking into your house while you're away. This is a tip that I recently got.
This is what we do. We used to put my husband’s business card in the ID slot of the suitcase, but we’re retired now and just put our names and phone numbers.
@@PortableProfessional Email is better indeed 👍. My mobile phone may be out of service when I travel but I always can have access to my email box either using WI-Fi or a tourist sim card in the country of my vacation.
I have, in the past, asked a colleague at work if I can add their phone number as an emergency contact. I have done the same for friends when they travel.
NOTE: the baggage handlers at the airports get pissed off at the baggage counter staff if they check in people TOO EARLY. They dont want to place your bags in a specialized "holding area". This is why the folks at the checkin stands always tell me to "sit down and wait" (Im alway arrive too early). I purchased a BLUE luggage bag, and painted the wheels ORANGE. Then, I secure the bag with a brightly colored luggage STRAP. Also, all former RFID tags are REMOVED and I have a personalized luggage tag on the bag with my DESTINATION HOTEL, NAME, and 20 EURO DELIVERY PROMISE for my bags prompt return. Finally, I have an APPLE TRACKER affixed. Only the paranoid survive. Loved the last suggestion. Brilliant.
Yes, I got orange straps and tags for my luggage for an upcoming trip. I use orange because it’s what my French teacher had us all use (an orange ribbon around the handle) when we first went to France 30 years ago. We’re coming from East Tennessee and orange and white are the colors for the University of Tennessee. I continued with it myself (especially international travel) because it stands out and very few people want anything orange. I didn’t consider the wheels. I’ve seen the covers.
Many airports particularly in Europe will not accept bags more than two hours before flight, so the 3 hour ahead advice is quite poor as it just clogs the checkin desk area with passengers who arrived too early. TWO hours is the advice at most European airports, at least on short haul. Can’t count how many times at NCE I’ve had to walk around a bunch of people who were too early for check-in when I was there at the appropriate time (for a flight leaving before theirs). If you’re somewhere like the Lufthansa FCT of course it’s nice to go early because they will take the bag at any time, there’s no waiting, and you can stay in the FCT for a nice meal before they drive you to the plane… but that’s a totally different reason for arriving early.
@@yuliavel9051 this is also why all the lounges are clogged up with people. Centurion lounge regularly operates a waitlist and won’t allow access more than three hours before your flight. Flagship lounges, Delta One lounges, Alaska lounges all routinely turn people away who paid for access either with a ticket or with annual spend because of overcrowding. Out of hundreds of flights during and after the pandemic, I can only think of one where someone missed a flight because of airport operations, and he was actually there four hours ahead of time when AMS was in a complete state of meltdown, and this is one of those airports where usually they would refuse to take his bag more than two hours on a European (AMS-ARN) flight. If airlines are really going to ask people to make airports into giant waiting rooms, then the airports are going to need to make more lounge space available, because most are not designed for more than a half hour, a glass of Champagne, and then get on board and fly, which is what you were there for in the first place. A 90 minute flight should not become a seven hour process.
I've worked for an airline's customer service for three years, and lost baggages were the most common problem. Once we even received a call from a passenger complaining that the airline had lost her father! Her deceased father, his coffin, was lost... This was a surreal thing... How do you lose a whole coffin, for God's sake?! Therefore, I don't trust airlines at all, whenever I check a baggage it's like I'm saying goodbye and hope for me to see it again, if I'm lucky.
Take pictures of your suitcase contents both before (spread out on the bed) *and* after packing the case; not only can the before picture help clearly itemize the contents for possible insurance reimbursement, but also you can save it as a packing list for future trips: keep the picture in your memos with a title like "Europe Spring Trip Packing List" and the next time you're going somewhere with similar weather you can just use the same items instead of wasting time puzzling over what to pack.
I started doing this just this year and it is a very very good idea. The other thing is to ensure you know how to make a claim for you luggage either through before you need to do it.
@@kevincollins2299 YES! I had a checked bag badly damaged in Miami airport last year and by the time I had the time to figure out how to file the claim ... The time limit had already elapsed. Thankfully only the bag itself was damaged and the contents were fine
Having a picture of your bag can be a life saver. My bag was delivered to the wrong cabin on a cruise once, I tried to explain to the crew that it was a plaid bag, but with their limited English they had no idea what I was talking about. Showing them a picture led straight to my bag. My closest airport is MCI, no clue how that relates to Orlando. 😀
I live in the US and travel by train a lot. One thing I love about Amtrak is that you must show your checked bag receipt to retrieve your bag. Someone can’t just walk up to a bag on the carousel and walk off with it without showing the agent their receipt, so no stolen bags.
Easy fix for that. Ask for a BSO tag to be added to your bag. This tag is meant for firearms but can also be for valuable items being in the bag. The downside is that it makes your bag stand out.
I remember a time I had to show my luggage ticket before leaving the carousel area. I don't remember whether it was airline personnel or airport security, but I wish they'd go back to it.
A Tracking Tag is a must for your suitcase or bags. An Apple Air Tag or Samsung Tag depending on your phone. It save me when the airline lost my suitcase on a multi segment flight/ Vacation . I was going to Malaga from Madrid and it was lost in transit. Using the app it showed it was still at Madrid Airport. Since my next destination was Barcelona I had them send it to my hotel in Barcelona if they find it. When I landed in Barcelona the App tracked it that it was at Barcelona Airport. Since I was at the Airport I asked the Airline Lost & found if I can just pick it up since I'm already here. The agent looked it up and said it was still in Madrid ,I showed him the location on the app that my suitcase was here. Agent looked, made some calls & they found my Suitcase at DEPARTURES getting ready to go elsewhere , Agent was dumbfounded that it was at departures.. an Hour later they brought out my suitcase... Thankfully for that tracker...
Also consider putting an apple air tag into your suitcase so you can keep a track of the bag to ensure it’s on your flight, and if in the unlikely event the bag is stolen, you can see its location at any time or if the bag is lost, you’ll be able to find it straight away
For those that don't have Apple devices there are other trackers as well. Tile Pro is probably the commonest, but there are others. Just Google 'alternatives to AirTags'.
100% I had a Samsung Tag .It save me when the airline lost my suitcase on a multi segment flight/ Vacation . I was going to Malaga from Madrid and it was lost in transit. Using the app it showed it was still at Madrid Airport. Since my next destination was Barcelona I had them send it to my hotel in Barcelona if they find it. When I landed in Barcelona the App tracked it that it was at Barcelona Airport. Since I was at the Airport I asked the Airline Lost & found if I can just pick it up since I'm already here. The agent looked it up and said it was still in Madrid ,I showed him the location on the app that my suitcase was here. Agent looked, made some calls & they found my Suitcase at DEPARTURES getting ready to go elsewhere , Agent was dumbfounded that it was at departures.. an Hour later they brought out my suitcase... Thankfully for that tracker...
Great tips! I wanted to add a few of my own thoughts for what it's worth: 1. if possible, always opt for a direct flight over a flight with connections if that option is available. 2. if you must have connecting flights, make sure your connection is around 2-3 hours (which is that same golden window for checking bags). This is enough time for baggage handlers to get bags off your flight and add them to the bags for the next flight which are at that point being sorted and ready for loading. Any shorter and you risk your bags not making it to the next flight, and longer connections mean the dreaded holding area (aka baggage no mans land). 3. if it's not possible to have a 2-3 hour connection, then opt for a longer connection and ask that your bags NOT be checked through. When you arrive, you collect your luggage and then take them to the bag drop for your next flight yourself at the appropriate time. If it's a very long connection, you can even get a room at the airport hotel and just bring your bags with you and hang out there until it's time to drop them off. It's a small additional expense and a small amount of inconvenience but IMO it can greatly reduce your risk of bags being lost as I believe most bags are lost or delayed with connecting flights. I have traveled around the world all my life and I have always stuck to these rules and so far (knock on wood) I have never had a problem with my luggage.
do not place ribbons, bandanas, or luggage tag on the same handle with the baggage tag with barcodes. if the barcodes get covered up while on the conveyor belt, the bag could get routed to wrong location because the laser scanners will not be able to read the barcode.
I used to put colorful ribbons on to identify our generic looking bags. I now have distinctive luggage straps. They will secure the bags as well as be easily identifiable.
@@IrishAnnie just make sure the buckle is on the side of bag and not on the main part of bag. the buckles tend to bump or gets the bag stuck between conveyer junction points. if it on side of bag, it will slide easier in the system
To add to Megan's final point, for flights with a layover: When checking your bag at the beginning of your trip, always ask the airline employee what the baggage rechecking policy is for both your outgoing flights and your return flights. When I have flown internationally, with one layover in each direction, my bag was checked through to my destination for the outgoing flights (so I didn't have to recheck it at my layover airport), but for my return flights, I did need to pick up my bag and recheck it at the (same) layover airport.
I have found this to always be true for me also. International flights bags go all the way from check in but returning I must pick up and recheck after clearing customs in the USA.
@@AnnaBanana-rq9vhThe tag may have the final destination, but in some countries, especially US, you MUST claim your luggage at the first entry you arrive in the US, go through customs. Once you clear customs, luggage handlers (right after customs counters) will collect your bags and transfer to your next (Domestic) flight. If you don’t claim your bag at the first entry, it will not be transferred to the next flight with you since it has not gone through customs clearance.
I had two soft side bags, a check-in and a carry-on, that looked like a lot of the others on a carousel. I bought some Day-Glo squeeze-bottle fabric paint, intending to write something distinctive. I'm no calligrapher and realized too late that it would be unreadable. So I just made squiggly lines. It looked terrible, but it worked. I was even complimented on my psychedelic technique.
Okay - a few comments. The plastic wrapping on luggage is destroyed by airport security. Mine was wrapped in India, and when it arrived in the US it had been torn off to search inside. (They always open my luggage and search it.) They left the plastic wrap hanging from the wheels of my luggage. Going to Morocco in early March 2020 with a connection in JFK, my flight to Casablanca was delayed a few hours but the checked bag was sent over on an earlier flight and got lost - i finally caught up with it five days later in Tangier. Even if you do your best to check your bag three hours in advance, it can still get screwed up through connecting flights. Third, for every trip i prepare a Word document that i make several copies of, put in ziplock bags, and put in everything I’ve got with me. It has my name, home address, cell number, email address, information about my final destination, and my flight itinerary. I put it in zippered outside pouch of checked suitcase as well as in a zippered inner pocket as you suggest. This has been helpful on several trips.
It’s not generally recommended to put your home address, since your home will be vacant. Other options are your work address, a friend’s address, or a family member’s address.
@@paulchallenor8675 I had my acoustic guitar wrapped on a domestic flight...and I didn't ask for that. When I picked it up after the flight, the plastic was torn, probably for an inspection, because there was an additional sticker saying "Inspected by (Name of airline)"...go figure. This was from MO, to OH. strangely enough, on the return trip, they wrapped my guitar up again, and I received it with the wrap torn and with an inspection sticker again. I mean, what was the point of securing it if you're going to inspect it?
RSW for the last 13 years. My fav airport that I use to live near was DFW. If or when I do check a bag, I always hide an Apple AirTag inside so I can keep an eye on things. One in my carry on too, in case they suddenly check it.
After reading about the luggage fiasco that took place over the last summer in Europe and elsewhere, we purchased Samsung Tiles for our checked luggage and even our carry-ons. One more way to track your luggage is lost by the airline.
I always print my itinerary. I leave one copy with my spouse, put one copy in my purse, a copy inside my bag, in the outer pocket of the bag, and in a pocket of my clothing for checkin. I do this for checked (seldom) bag, carryon, personal item, and purse. I also keep a precise list of exactly what I packed in each bag. This helps with wardrobe planning and is essential in case a bag gets lost.
Don’t pack anything in your suitcase you can’t afford to lose. With everyone having access to TSA keys, the idea of “locking” your suit case is bygone feature.
You can use a gun case and pack a gun in it along with all your stuff. Declare there's a gun in it at the desk and by law tsa can not open without your presence. Thus, you are allowed to use non tsa locks on it.
Example for the baggage recheck thing. If you're entering the US and you have a connecting flight inside the US you >always< have to claim and recheck. If you leave the US and have your connecting flight inside the US you will not have to recheck.
In the US, if your luggage gets delayed, don't opt for the "home delivery" that the airline might offer you. Tell them you'll pick it up yourself from the airport. These days the airlines just hire anyone with a pulse from gig-apps like "Roadie" for pennies to do the delivery. In my case, Delta's "delivery partner" courier stole the contents of my luggage and dumped the empty suitcase in the airport parking lot. I found out where my suitcase was from the police who turned it into lost-n-found.
Nowadays all my flights are in the EU with budget airlines, so the check-in is online or via the app, boarding passes are on your phone and baggage check is self-service. So you attach your own suitcase tags, keep your receipt somewhere safe and then head straight for security. It's very quick and easy. I always find that checking the case around 2 hours before the fight is ideal, not too early and not too late. The baggage check machines won't work for your flight if you're too early, or too late!
We arrived several hours early, when we checked our bags, they were sent on an earlier flight then ours. When they weren’t on our plane, we looked around and there sat our luggage against the wall. Anyone could have walked off with them, thankfully they were still there as the Local brides veil was in them!
A few tips when checking firearms: They must be in locked hard sided case & it the locks are not supposed suppose to be the luggage locks that the TSA has a master key for; this means that you must allow extra time because after checking in & filling out the form to declare your firearms & ammunition, you will have to wait with your bag until someone from TSA comes to inspect it because you will need to open it for them; after it has been inspected & relocked & they take the bag , you can then proceed to the security line. Since only cases that contain firearms are allowed to be locked with the more secure lock but the case may contain other things as well, I recommend getting a large Pelican case so you can have more of your stuff locked securely; just make sure the firearm(s) are on the top of the bag so they can be easily inspected. If travelling with loaded magazines, they need to have the caps that go on top so that the ammunition is fully enclosed on all sides; otherwise, all ammunition must be either in the original packaging or in a container specifically designed for storing ammunition. Make sure that every place on your case for putting a lock, has a lock on it; one lock is not good enough! Any adequate case is going to require at least two locks & some may require 4+ locks!Make sure that you are legally allowed to possess the particular firearms & ammunition in both the state you are travelling from & the state that is your final destination. If the airport you are flying into is not in your final destination state & you will be travelling by ground transportation to your final destination, even if your firearms are not legal in the state you are flying into, it is still legal to travel with your firearms so long as the remain unloaded & in a locked case while travelling through that state (as long as you are just travelling through) but make sure you have documentation such as a hotel confirmation that shows your final destination/ where you were actually coming from. All firearms, ammunition, firearm parts & firearm accessories (with the exception of scopes & red-dots) need to be in your checked luggage not your carry-on but only firearms & ammunition need to be declared at check in; firearm parts (except for frames & receivers) & firearm accessories do not need to be declared. Frames & receivers do need to be declared since they are legally considered firearms. Scopes & red-dots (because of how fragile they are) are the only accessories that are permitted in your carry-on. When you arrive at your destination airport, don’t be alarmed if the case with your firearms is not on the luggage belt, as bags with firearms are typically held at the baggage office for you to pickup (though once in a while someone messes up & they do end up on the luggage belt.)
The FBI doesn’t even lock their firearms case when flying. I know this because one of my son’s baggage handling coworkers got arrested for stealing one (an FBI agent’s checked firearm).
I'm glad you mentioned buy obnoxiously bright luggage because I do that. I also think (maybe wrong but) maybe it helps not get lost? Like, having a bright case is probably memorable so I feel if they see it once then later don't, they'll think "hey where's that bright pink case?" I also have a hard time with heavy things so if case is bright, I can see before it reaches me and at least mentally prepare!
As always ... really good stuff Megan. My usual home jump off is YUL, but try to use YQB as there is less traffic (but no trans-border preclearance). As the others noted - never have home address on the outside of your case. I use hardside Pelican cases, so simply write last name and mobile phone # on the underside and back of my cases. Also, ... I only use MasterLock real Paddle Locks ... never TSA ones. If I have to check a bag at check-in, I'll take it to oversize, have it scanned, then back the case out, lock it then let it go through (Like One would do for fire arms). Pelican or Nanuk cases may seem expensive at first, but mine have +15 years on them and never failed ... plus life time guarantee. Again ... love your stuff! Take care! Safe Travels!!!
Regarding the stickers and bagtags, unfortunately, a lot of people don't know it and thing it's 'cool' to have a suitcase filled with stickers from previous flights. I work at the airport and I've been told by my supervisors that it is not an check-in agent's responsibility to remove those things, however, whenever I see those, I mostly ask the passenger to remove at least the bagtag and I can place the new stickers over the old ones. The problem is if there are way more stickers, then you can only pray for your suitcase to get to your actual destination. So please remember, if you want your suitcase to arrive at your final destination, remove everything. Don't go blaming the staff.
My home airport is LAX. My luggage tags have my work address instead of home for security reasons. I am one of the few people I know who always have their info both inside and outside of my luggage. The air tags are great and I have one for each of my bags. I also try and keep the luggage receipts in with my printed boarding passes. I use a digital one most of the time, but if the WIFI is unavailable, I can still board as scheduled. As for arriving at the airport, I use the boarding time and not the departure time. If I arrive 3 hours before the boarding time, I will not miss the flight.
When changing air carriers on a layover, make sure you have a boarding pass before you arrive. Partner airlines occasionally have communication problems when they are using different confirmation/reservation numbers for the same itinerary,
I've had to claim a bag and recheck it on domestic layovers too, so it is always worth verifying. The only times this has happened to me is when my route had me swap to airlines outside their alliance, for example flying Delta for the first leg and United on the next. Pay extra attention when booking those flights! If a mixed-alliance route is unavoidable, make sure you have 3-4+ hours on that layover, just in case! It'll be a bad day if you have a short layover and you have to go claim your bags, re-check them, and go back through security to make your connecting flight! Even when traveling carry-on only, gate-checks happen more and more often as more people fly carry-on. There simply isn't enough bin space on many (most?) airplanes for everyone to bring a full-size carry-on aboard. Personally, I'd only consider booking a short-connection mixed-alliance route if I was flying personal-item only.
The only time you would have to recheck bags on a domestic layover is if you booked two different alliances. And what person is doing that?! I always warn people against this. There are only a few exceptions.
When I was travelling from Ottawa to London UK one of my cases was opened up before me by security and it just had to be the one which held my chef/camping knives in ! But as it was my checked luggage it was passed and despite having to change flights at Washington DC it arrived with me in London. I was fortunate it could so easily have been flagged.
I was on a charter (I think)plane in Canada ,our Katimavik group was flying to Calgary from Montreal. Out 11 of us,2(including myself) had our luggage lost, meaning we had to rely on a thrift shops charity for clothing and sleeping bag. At the time,each province was for 3 months. They did eventully fund our luggage in Vancouver BC,and we recieved them a week before we finished the group(after 9 months).
Okay. I was flying to Poland with a stop in Toronto, Canada. AND was told by an agent I pick up my luggage at final destination, that was in Warsaw, Poland. BUT that was not true!!! Was traveling by myself, with two kids and three checked-in bags! And two trains to take after the flights! PRAISE GOD!!!! ❤ I accidentally (?! no, by God's mercy! ) saw my luggage on the luggage belt in Toronto! Praise God! If not for Him, my bags would've been left in that airport...
With my black suitcases, an affordable tip is to get colored duct tape and put a strip on each side of the bag so that way it’s easily visible and unique. I’ve never had issue with any residue being left behind on my soft sided bags, either.
I just write in bright Sharpie directly on the outside of my hardshell luggage *(and on the sides of our cloth 'bag-in-bag' duffles we keep in them for souvenirs on the flight back) my name/social media handle/email and phone number. Obnoxious large on all sides. No way someone is walking off going "oh I didn't notice that" even if their base luggage is the same color as mine. Don't care in the least of the esthetics of my bag, especially with how throwers ding and scuff it up every time it's used. I'm going to use these bags until they fall apart, so no "resale or donations" is not a concern either. No one follows me on social and I don't answer my phone to calls so this works perfectly for me! 😂
All good information and I actually paused the video and went and ordered a luggage sleeve from Amazon! Came back and resumed the video. I think the most important thing I got from this was about asking the agent when checking in the bag if I’m going to need to claim it and check it in again, this happened to me coming back from Greece and I was not given any information and when I went to check it in again, they tried to charge me $100! My ticket had included one check bag. A wonderful agent figured out that I was not advised what to do when I picked my bag up from the carousel. Someone was supposed to help me take it to another location. So confusing! Thank you so much for this tip….❤
I wish at the exit from baggage area there was a check with bag tags. Last time I was returning to YVR, after customs I had to detour to restroom. When I got to luggage carousel my luggage was one of the last coming out. It was blue and had ribbon on handle. Saw a woman taking it off carousel 😮 I went over and told her that was my suitcase! She pretended that she made a mistake. Doubtful. With ribbon on handle, and distinctive luggage tags it would be hard to mistake! Sadly there are luggage thieves at airports. SEATAC is well known.
I remember years ago you needed to show that your luggage matched with the ticket they gave you when you checked it in. It wasn’t as easy to take the wrong bag accidentally or otherwise. Can’t believe they got rid of this step.
I've told my children since they were old enough to understand that there are two kinds of airline passengers: those whose bags are lost and those who are about to have their bags lost. Furthermore, l preached that a carry-on must sustain you for at least three days. (Hopefully your luggage will turn up by then!) Of course my older daughter didn't listen to me. She and her husband were three days in Barcelona with the clothes on their backs. The honeymoon got off to a very bad start. My wife and younger daughter spent hours on the phone with the airline trying to track down the luggage. (Yes, this international trip involved transfers.) Luckily, their luggage turned up in their cabin before the cruise ship sailed. All's well that ends well!
Hi Megan!!! So cool to hear that your home airport is YOW...so is mine! I love your videos and always keep up with them or review some before I travel. A couple of weeks ago, I was told at the departing airport (Santiago, Chile) that my bag was checked in to my home destination (Ottawa). I had a layover in Bogota and then another in Toronto and then home. My bag was fine in Bogota but just before landing at Pearson Airport in Toronto, the flight attendant announced that everyone had to pick up their suitcases and had to proceed through customs even if you had a connection. I did check again with the oversized baggage desk in the Pearson carousel area and the agent did confirm all checked baggage coming from Colombia was flagged to be picked up and then checked again regardless. (Picking up checked baggage and then rechecking was easy and straightforward.) Apparently some countries are flagged for checked baggage to be picked up. I was so glad to have picked up and rechecked my bag as another passenger didn't and had gone through the customs exit and was not able to get back to the carousel area and they were in a panic. Another passenger had told me that on a previous trip, they did not pick up their checked baggage as they were told that their bag was good all the way home. But like me the flight attendant announced to pick it up and the passenger ignored the announcement, therefore their bag got delayed arriving at the destination. For the most part is that if the flight attendant says pick up your baggage even if you were told it was checked to the final destination, it wouldn't hurt to just double check. I love your content for travel. You are current and have great advice. Thanks, Megan...keep it up! 😊😊😊
Whenever you arrive on an international flight in any country, your first airport of entry is where you have to clear customs first. This is the universal truth for every country when you arrive internationally and not because some countries you arrive from are being specifically flagged for special customs checking.
Good tips. I put a copy of my itinerary in my bag, but never in the zippered pocket. I will do this from now on. Also, I have photos of the exterior, but not the inside. Another thing I'll add to my pre-flight. 3 hour advanced check in is OK for international travel, but too soon for domestic. I usually shoot for between 1.5 and 2 hours for the very reason that I don't want my bag waylayed before the plane departs. Your comment regarding asking the agent about rechecking bags is really important when booking the flight to ensure that you have enough time between flights to reclaim the bag and then recheck it. It is also important when returning to the US. If you have purchased duty free abroad and then are required to recheck the bag and go back through security, TSA will confiscate any liquids that are over 3 oz. You will have to pack these liquids in your checked bags and then hope to hell that they don't leak or break.
since everyone has a cricut (or likely knows someone who does...) or similar crafting machine.. it's easy to make custom decals for your suitcases.. I've got large yellow penguins on a black case and purple dragonflies on a dark blue case... not likely going to run into anyone else who has the same case with the exact same decals and makes them very easy to spot at baggage collection.. my husband travels a lot for work, so we've cut decals with his name, work address and phone number for his bags as well.. can even do iron ons or infusions for any canvas or fabric bags
Your video is excellent! Especially about adding contact information on the inside of luggage. People don't ever think that bag tags do come off in transit. And even if you lock your bag sometimes we need to get TSA to open it and try to locate you. It's a major reason bags get lost. I have a couple more tips... (1) Every airline has a baggage cut off time and each airline's time is different. PLEASE find out prior to coming to the airport. People don't understand that 1 minute late checking in your bag could make a flight 5 - 10 minutes late. That's not fair to 50+ people you're flying with, especially if they have a tight layover time. (2)A lot of DELAYED (not lost) bags happen because passengers come to the airport in a rush and will just automatically sit their bags on the scale or baggage area at the ticket counter. When there are a lot of people checking in at once this can cause a lot of confusion and definitely getting your bag getting mis-tagged. Arrive early and be patient. (3) Usually damaged bags and pilferage go hand in hand. I can't begin to tell you how many pilferage claims are due to overstuffed bags. Airline personnel don't have time to pick up every item that falls out of your bag when it bursts open. So packing light is absolutely a plus for all involved. (4) Airtags are fabulous, but I have had several experiences where they sometimes are incorrect or stop working either in the luggage or via the mobile phone. You may not have experienced it yourself, but has happened. Don't totally rely on it.
The airport I flew out from - and if I fly again will be the one I fly in to - is NZAA - AKL and the one I flew in to, and will fly out from if I leave, is EGLL - LHR while my local airport is EIDW - DUB.Though I've also flown into both NZCH - CHC & EINN - SNN. Not a huge traveller and I remember when ALL luggage was checked for the hold except a small - much smaller than you can use nowadays - carry on bag which you could keep with you or put in the overhead locker. Being short I always kept it with me.
I really like these videos. She tell you what to do and (as important) why to do it. Please never pack your Passport in your luggage or your carry-on (even tho there are 2 pics of that in this video).
I use Apple Air Tags on everything. My keys, my personal bag, my car, and always a checked in bag! I can actually follow it being loaded onto MY flight.
At 3:11 it sure looks like they put a passport in the suitcase! Our luggage tags that I print have the dates and locations where we'll be then our home address at the bottom. Thx for all the good ideas.
I was quite nervous this past late spring flying from Paris to Milan. This was the first time we had to print out our own checked luggage tags/labels and put them on. The instructions on the screen went so fast. Worried we'd do something wrong we found a TSA person to put them on. From there we had to go to the conveyer belt, scan our luggage tag/label and put our luggage on the belt. This self luggage check made me feel I wouldn't see my luggage again, as I waved it goodbye. Thankfully our luggage made it.....I know I sound like a spoiled American but like us humans we adapt. It's all good.
Posting form DEN. I rarely check luggage, as I believe there are two types, carry on and lost, but I gate checked a bag I realized I couldn’t lift after a mild shoulder dislocation on Southwest recently, and had the option of it waiting for me on the jetway. I took that option.
About the luggage tag -- I would not put your home address on the tag (if you must, maybe put your work address or some other address that is NOT your home, but that your bag could be delivered to if necessary). But still put your name and phone number so you can get contacted if your bag is lost. Generally if your bag is lost during your trip, they don't need your home address, and only will need it if it is lost on your return flight (at which case they can call you and you can make arrangements to get your bag back). For identifying bags, just put something on the bag (like i put some red duct tape around the handle -- my bag is black so this is relatively easy to identify as i put the red tap on both handles (top and side). taking a photo of the inside of your bag is also helpful for when you have to repack to make sure you didn't forget anything. This is more crucial for things like roll on briefcase type bags or camera bags mainly, but can be helpful for regular luggage too, particularly if you are the type of person that tends to take everything out of your bag when you get to your destination (I don't).
I don't see the harm with having your address as well. One time when I was a teenager, I was at home and my parents were due back soon from a trip to Mexico. Suddenly there was a knock on our front door and a complete stranger had pulled into our driveway with a suitcase in hand. He handed it to me, said ""This has your address on it" got back in his car and drove away. When my parents arrived home, I learned that they had lost a suitcase out of the back of the limo on the ride back from the airport. They were late because they had been driving around looking for it.
Check, check, check! I think our suitcases are ready to go. I have debated getting one of those reusable luggage sleeves. Maybe I'll pick one up at the airport. 🌸Heidi
1 no previous tags on luggage. 2 inside put a card with your details 3 try to have a suitcase distinguishable 4 wrap your luggage 5 5ake a picture of the int and exterior of your bag 6 carry on must be small and of durable material
I was flying to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia from the US. I was going through LA and had to get my bag to recheck it. I noticed the tag had HBR (Hobart, OK) and not Australia! So now I always check the tag before they put my luggage on the belt!
Their return policy is very limited and buyer beware. It was heavier than I was anticipating and the interior zippers were not as good directly ordered through their site as compared to a suitcase my sister purchased through Amazon for me. I’m disappointed at this brand. I used the code and it was on sale and it looks like I will have to keep an item I have now no intention of using and don’t care for. Level 8 I thought would have a better return policy like other suitcases.
I gave up on real carry on suitcases. Too many times I had to gate check it anyway. Stopping at the carousel negates the concept of traveling carry on only. I’ve gone to a squishy duffel bag and don’t worry about having fancy clothes that need to be packed carefully. I just toss everything in hodgepodge and then cram it in the overhead or under the seat. If I need something fancy or special, I’ll buy it when I get there.
Great advice and tips and I'm sure it's just stock video but shock horror at 3:10 as the person puts their passport in their suitcase ! A tip would be NEVER do that ! My main 'hack' is to travel hand luggage only. So far (tempting fate) never had to gate check a bag but just in case my critical items (passport, medicine, chargers etc) are in a separate small backpack with everything i need for the flight. I find the inconvenience of having fewer clothes at my destination and maybe needing to purchase items like shampoo and soap (though many destinations provide these now) is far outweighed by the ease of just walking off the plane with all my stuff and never having to worry if my bag made the connection. Plus, I don't have to wait at the check in desk in a long q, just go straight to security. Slightly surprised you didn't mention putting an Apple (or similar) airtag in your cases. Ive seen many reports where someone was able to tell the airline where their luggage was to help track it down.
During recent flights I have taken I have noticed the trend that an increasing number of travellers are increasing the size of their allowed personal it so not it is almost as large as their carry on luggage. It’s increasingly common that if your zone of the plane boards late that their is little or no overhead bin space.
Yes, watch out for airlines that use boarding groups instead of boarding the plane from back to the front. For example United Airlines. People with an economy aisle seat will be in the last boarding group & could miss out on getting space for their carry-on bag. Many short haul airlines will still have passengers seated at the back of the plane boarding first, so it's always easy to find space for your carry-on.
Where possible I always take anything important or valuable in my carry-on and my checked bag is usually only clothes. Never once in all my time flying here in Australia had any airline complain about my carry-on or tell me to gate check it (I have never heard of either fees for carry-on bags or gate-checking carry-on bags being a thing domestically in Australia)
One of my first jobs was in a Worldwide Carrier mailroom and I had to know all the 3 letter USA & International airport codes. And I still remember most of them 35 years later! I also remember all the Canadian ones started with Y
I put ribbons on my soft shell black bags, and a strip of grey duct tape with my name written with a sharpie. My next trip is a three week cruise, so I'm checking two full size bags, and bringing on a carry-on, and personal bag.....I had to laugh at 3:12 in your video, when a person was putting what looked like their passport into their checked bag.
Don't be afraid to ask questions I went out of the EU in Praha followed the signs right back into the Schengen area and couldn't get back because the ticket was used I got it figured out but autism and travel there is help if you need it
I just got back from Austin. There check bag belt broke so we had to show up an additional 3 hours before bording, and even then, the agents said we might not see our bags. Luckily, everything came.
I’m taking as many precautions as I can think of and learn, but I’m not packing any clothes that I’m most attached or difficult to replace… Like customized shoes, etc.
So many other UA-camrs - and airlines - have said to never use stickers and ribbons on your luggage. They confuse scanners and they create unnecessary alerts!
Oh, put in Flight itinerary! Brillant! Great idea the luggage sleave!After your video I went to take pictures not only of my suitcase but also of the content! So I am to have done-it ; ))
I have to admit this is good advice. Please folks when buying luggage buy colourful luggage and hard shell with good wheels. You won’t believe how people pick up wrong luggage. One female passenger picked up TWO luggage’s that didn’t even come close to size . When she picked up her luggage the agents couldn’t believe the mistake.
Thanks for the tipped the discount for Level 8! I have one of their carry on's and it's great - time to get a bigger one. SNA is the local airfield for me. Cheers and safe travels!
I have a black bag, with a bright school bus yellow plastic tag, and a thick Christmas red yard bow on my bag. My suitcase is identical to my husbands so when mine was missing in Victoria Falls airport we could show my husband’s bag. As well as I had a photo of both our bags. I put my hotel name in my suitcase. Although my suit case arrived to Victoria Falls we had left to Cape Town that morning. The flights to Victoria Falls only come in on Tuesday and Thursday. We arrived Tuesday afternoon and left Thursday morning. The suitcase did finally arrive about 4 days later into Cape Town. My credit card allowed $500 purchases for new clothes. I had to buy WAY over priced clothes in Victoria Falls with US Dollars but they had very little things to buy. We used up almost all our dollars and ended up nearly broke by the time we left Victoria Falls (no ATMs). Bought a lot of clothes in Cape Town. Save your receipts. We are checking our bags for our next trip. My husband had shoulder surgery plus we have winter clothes so we are taking the 24 inch bag and he can not lift our other 21 inch above his head or roll it far. We are splitting clothes into each other’s bag so if one of the bags does not arrive that person has clothes. We have AirTags and all airline apps. We are also carrying on the flight a fold up bag with one change of clothes each and underwear and pajamas.
Also when travelling to London LHR from Ottawa YOW I had a one hour lay over in Washington DC IAD but to my surprise was stopped on entering departure area by US imigration on Canadian soil! anmd had to fill out a visa form for a 1 hour layover
One more tip regarding unique suitcases... I deliberately got a very loud, bright red suitcase. Additionally, I used 3 inch green painters tape to 'dress up' the luggage, writing my initials with marker on top of the tape. It paid off!!! In Ho Chi Minh City, some random woman came up and tried to grab my suitcase from the luggage carousel. I pointed to the tape with my initials. A moment later, another nearly-identical bright red suitcase came riding down the luggage ramp. It was her suitcase. Lesson learned: Add unique decorations to your suitecase!
In Australia a lot of people send their luggage air-express a few of days before their flight. It's cheaper than excess baggage, they pick up and deliver, and you get a tracking number.
I am late for the party here, but great tips Megan as usual. I have never had my luggage lost, one was damaged but not too badly. I have Beatles luggage (Beatles fan ) so they are very distinctive at the airport turn style ! We also have tags with our name and address and we use those free address labels and stick them in various places on the inside ! Good tip about taking pictures of the inside of the suitcase ! I will start doing that. That was the funniest thing I heard all day when you said " If you do miss this step, your suitcase might end up having its own little vacation in France while you are in Greece. Love it Megan and I am sure it has happened to many.
If you have a hard case carry on, there is a much higher chance you will have to check it. I would def reccomend a soft case carry on, like the Pategonia MLC (Max Legal Carry). It will never get checked !
The last Suggestion reminds me of a flight I took from Frankfurt (germany) via London Gatwick to Plymouth (UK). Although I knew I had to pick uo ny luggage and check it in again at London and obviously did so, I found out after my arrival at Plymouth that it was left behind at London airport. No worries bc I gave them the address of my hotel in Cornwall to where I had to go by train. To my surprise it arrived one hour ahead of me. What a start to begin my holidays. I laughed a lot after that experience.
Great tips! Going to implement a few of them. Already adding AirTags to my bags when I travel. Ok the airport geek in me has to post this for you. Why Canadian airport codes all start with Y As air travel became common, Canadian airports began to use 3 and now 4-letter codes, typically begin with the letter “C”. It is also thought that the reason the letter Y is used for all (or most) Canadian airports, is that the letter “Y” indicated there was a weather reporting station at the airport or close by. Y = yes for weather.
I don't know if this is specific to FLL (Fort Lauderdale), but our last two times flying out of FLL, they wouldn't let us check in or check our bags until 2 hours prior to departure. This meant we had to find a place to wait outside of security (which are far and few between). I've been using business cards in my bag tag for 30+ years. I keep one inside and (usually) two on the outside (one in the purpose made holder and one attached to a handle).
Air France lost my baggage during a connection in CDG (Paris). I had pictures, receipts, custom bag with stickers, and a Samsung Smart Tag tracker... After a lot of stress they compensated me with almost 2000 US dollars, but I can tell you is not worth it, the real value of the stuff was around 1200 dollars, but the sentimental value was huge, I spent days traveling buying souvenirs that no money could replace... The Samsung tracker battery lasted for more than a year, and I could see the baggage near Valence (France) at some warehouse...... I just flew from Germany to Brazil, my most valuable things were in my carry on luggage and backpack, but this time everything went smoothly with my checked baggage flying with Lufthansa. (and I didn't take pictures, didn't use tracker, nothing.. I guess it's lucky)
Just a note. If the airline employees on the ground crew forget to put that bag on its side while packing it can (and will) especially on windy days be rolling all over the airport. Sometimes they catch them as they slip away and sometimes they don’t. Once or twice they end up on the taxiway or runway. Two wheels are good enough.
Thank you for the advice, I’ll still avoid check in luggage because I really don’t like the waiting after departure and I don’t trust people to not steal my suitcase
8:15 that's what happen when a city comes late into the game. OTA is used by an airport at Ethiopia. And OTT for one in the countryside over here in Brasil 😁 BUT: there's no OTW. Lost chance in that one 😝 The Airport code for the international Airport of Rio de Janeiro, where I live, is GIG. It is located at the Ilha do Governador (Governador Island), close to the Galeão (Galleon) beach. So: Governador Island's Galeão Beach -> GIG
This past summer we were flying home from Europe and had a very tight connection at JFK, where we had to go through customs and retrieve/recheck our luggage. A bunch of bags from our flight out of Heathrow didn't come up on the carousel at JFK, and as the minutes ticked away an airline representative told us all that we should just go; our bags must not have made it onto the plane. We had AirTags in all of our bags, and I was able to pull up FindMy on my phone, clearly showing that our bags were directly below where we were standing. The rep we'd been working with radioed down to the bowels and a baggage handler found *all* the lost bags and sent them up. It was touch and go, but we all made the next flight, and I was the hero of the day!
❤ oh! You were awesome!
I was about to suggest that the best way to avoid lost luggage was to NOT fly Delta thru JFK on international flights. In 2014/15, I was doing this regularly and every time my luggage was "lost." It got to be a joke between me and the baggage rep at my home airport. That was the old days before air tags; now I use those.
You sound like a deaf person who tries to talk…..just an observation.
I will never again transfer at Heathrow.
Smart!
Only write your name and phone number - not your home address. You don't want anyone breaking into your house while you're away. This is a tip that I recently got.
Good advice! I also like to include my email as I know i can always be reach that way.
This is what we do. We used to put my husband’s business card in the ID slot of the suitcase, but we’re retired now and just put our names and phone numbers.
I have two pitbulls at my house and my two grown sons that stay at my house.. Good luck looking an arm
@@PortableProfessional Email is better indeed 👍.
My mobile phone may be out of service when I travel but I always can have access to my email box either using WI-Fi or a tourist sim card in the country of my vacation.
I have, in the past, asked a colleague at work if I can add their phone number as an emergency contact. I have done the same for friends when they travel.
NOTE: the baggage handlers at the airports get pissed off at the baggage counter staff if they check in people TOO EARLY. They dont want to place your bags in a specialized "holding area". This is why the folks at the checkin stands always tell me to "sit down and wait" (Im alway arrive too early).
I purchased a BLUE luggage bag, and painted the wheels ORANGE. Then, I secure the bag with a brightly colored luggage STRAP. Also, all former RFID tags are REMOVED and I have a personalized luggage tag on the bag with my DESTINATION HOTEL, NAME, and 20 EURO DELIVERY PROMISE for my bags prompt return. Finally, I have an APPLE TRACKER affixed.
Only the paranoid survive.
Loved the last suggestion. Brilliant.
You certainly have it all covered! I have to wonder if you ever lost your luggage? Safe travels, Jim!
Yes, I got orange straps and tags for my luggage for an upcoming trip. I use orange because it’s what my French teacher had us all use (an orange ribbon around the handle) when we first went to France 30 years ago. We’re coming from East Tennessee and orange and white are the colors for the University of Tennessee. I continued with it myself (especially international travel) because it stands out and very few people want anything orange. I didn’t consider the wheels. I’ve seen the covers.
Many airports particularly in Europe will not accept bags more than two hours before flight, so the 3 hour ahead advice is quite poor as it just clogs the checkin desk area with passengers who arrived too early. TWO hours is the advice at most European airports, at least on short haul. Can’t count how many times at NCE I’ve had to walk around a bunch of people who were too early for check-in when I was there at the appropriate time (for a flight leaving before theirs).
If you’re somewhere like the Lufthansa FCT of course it’s nice to go early because they will take the bag at any time, there’s no waiting, and you can stay in the FCT for a nice meal before they drive you to the plane… but that’s a totally different reason for arriving early.
@geoffreyschultz8515 its a new (probably after covid) recommendation in the USA for all international flights to arribe 3 hrs prior
@@yuliavel9051 this is also why all the lounges are clogged up with people. Centurion lounge regularly operates a waitlist and won’t allow access more than three hours before your flight. Flagship lounges, Delta One lounges, Alaska lounges all routinely turn people away who paid for access either with a ticket or with annual spend because of overcrowding. Out of hundreds of flights during and after the pandemic, I can only think of one where someone missed a flight because of airport operations, and he was actually there four hours ahead of time when AMS was in a complete state of meltdown, and this is one of those airports where usually they would refuse to take his bag more than two hours on a European (AMS-ARN) flight.
If airlines are really going to ask people to make airports into giant waiting rooms, then the airports are going to need to make more lounge space available, because most are not designed for more than a half hour, a glass of Champagne, and then get on board and fly, which is what you were there for in the first place. A 90 minute flight should not become a seven hour process.
I've worked for an airline's customer service for three years, and lost baggages were the most common problem. Once we even received a call from a passenger complaining that the airline had lost her father! Her deceased father, his coffin, was lost... This was a surreal thing... How do you lose a whole coffin, for God's sake?! Therefore, I don't trust airlines at all, whenever I check a baggage it's like I'm saying goodbye and hope for me to see it again, if I'm lucky.
How do you manage to lose a casket? How was it resolved? Did she get her father's remains?
It just have been confused for the other casket on that flight
Human remains is not considered checked luggage. It is freight and would be at the freight house.
Take pictures of your suitcase contents both before (spread out on the bed) *and* after packing the case; not only can the before picture help clearly itemize the contents for possible insurance reimbursement, but also you can save it as a packing list for future trips: keep the picture in your memos with a title like "Europe Spring Trip Packing List" and the next time you're going somewhere with similar weather you can just use the same items instead of wasting time puzzling over what to pack.
That is a great idea, Barbara! Nice having you on the channel!
This is exactly what I’ve started doing in the last year. It really gives peace of mind for bags I plan to check or know may potentially be checked
Love this idea!!!
I started doing this just this year and it is a very very good idea. The other thing is to ensure you know how to make a claim for you luggage either through before you need to do it.
@@kevincollins2299 YES! I had a checked bag badly damaged in Miami airport last year and by the time I had the time to figure out how to file the claim ... The time limit had already elapsed. Thankfully only the bag itself was damaged and the contents were fine
Having a picture of your bag can be a life saver. My bag was delivered to the wrong cabin on a cruise once, I tried to explain to the crew that it was a plaid bag, but with their limited English they had no idea what I was talking about. Showing them a picture led straight to my bag.
My closest airport is MCI, no clue how that relates to Orlando. 😀
Glad you got reunited with your bag! Happy travels, DeeDee!
MCO is Orlando, not MCI which is Kansas City. MCO stands for McCoy Air Force Base, the site of the current Orlando airport.
@@paulkoza8652much like O'Hare being ORD
I live in the US and travel by train a lot. One thing I love about Amtrak is that you must show your checked bag receipt to retrieve your bag. Someone can’t just walk up to a bag on the carousel and walk off with it without showing the agent their receipt, so no stolen bags.
Easy fix for that. Ask for a BSO tag to be added to your bag. This tag is meant for firearms but can also be for valuable items being in the bag. The downside is that it makes your bag stand out.
They don’t check in Seattle
Years ago, LAX checked luggage at the exit door. Your tags had to match the luggage tags. But it did create another long line and so it was stopped.
I remember a time I had to show my luggage ticket before leaving the carousel area. I don't remember whether it was airline personnel or airport security, but I wish they'd go back to it.
Airlines: "Never leave your luggage unattended!"
Also airlines: *leaves EVERYONES luggage unattended!* BRUH. 🤷♂️🤦♂️
A Tracking Tag is a must for your suitcase or bags. An Apple Air Tag or Samsung Tag depending on your phone. It save me when the airline lost my suitcase on a multi segment flight/ Vacation . I was going to Malaga from Madrid and it was lost in transit. Using the app it showed it was still at Madrid Airport. Since my next destination was Barcelona I had them send it to my hotel in Barcelona if they find it. When I landed in Barcelona the App tracked it that it was at Barcelona Airport. Since I was at the Airport I asked the Airline Lost & found if I can just pick it up since I'm already here. The agent looked it up and said it was still in Madrid ,I showed him the location on the app that my suitcase was here. Agent looked, made some calls & they found my Suitcase at DEPARTURES getting ready to go elsewhere , Agent was dumbfounded that it was at departures.. an Hour later they brought out my suitcase... Thankfully for that tracker...
WOW!
Crazy😮
Also consider putting an apple air tag into your suitcase so you can keep a track of the bag to ensure it’s on your flight, and if in the unlikely event the bag is stolen, you can see its location at any time or if the bag is lost, you’ll be able to find it straight away
Great idea for a little added security!
For those that don't have Apple devices there are other trackers as well. Tile Pro is probably the commonest, but there are others. Just Google 'alternatives to AirTags'.
Some newer bags now have a "hidden" pocket to place AirTags or Tile tags.
Surprised this wasn't in the video. Have been doing this for a year now and it has already saved me dealing with airline on delayed baggage.
100% I had a Samsung Tag .It save me when the airline lost my suitcase on a multi segment flight/ Vacation . I was going to Malaga from Madrid and it was lost in transit. Using the app it showed it was still at Madrid Airport. Since my next destination was Barcelona I had them send it to my hotel in Barcelona if they find it. When I landed in Barcelona the App tracked it that it was at Barcelona Airport. Since I was at the Airport I asked the Airline Lost & found if I can just pick it up since I'm already here. The agent looked it up and said it was still in Madrid ,I showed him the location on the app that my suitcase was here. Agent looked, made some calls & they found my Suitcase at DEPARTURES getting ready to go elsewhere , Agent was dumbfounded that it was at departures.. an Hour later they brought out my suitcase... Thankfully for that tracker...
Great tips! I wanted to add a few of my own thoughts for what it's worth:
1. if possible, always opt for a direct flight over a flight with connections if that option is available.
2. if you must have connecting flights, make sure your connection is around 2-3 hours (which is that same golden window for checking bags). This is enough time for baggage handlers to get bags off your flight and add them to the bags for the next flight which are at that point being sorted and ready for loading. Any shorter and you risk your bags not making it to the next flight, and longer connections mean the dreaded holding area (aka baggage no mans land).
3. if it's not possible to have a 2-3 hour connection, then opt for a longer connection and ask that your bags NOT be checked through. When you arrive, you collect your luggage and then take them to the bag drop for your next flight yourself at the appropriate time. If it's a very long connection, you can even get a room at the airport hotel and just bring your bags with you and hang out there until it's time to drop them off. It's a small additional expense and a small amount of inconvenience but IMO it can greatly reduce your risk of bags being lost as I believe most bags are lost or delayed with connecting flights.
I have traveled around the world all my life and I have always stuck to these rules and so far (knock on wood) I have never had a problem with my luggage.
do not place ribbons, bandanas, or luggage tag on the same handle with the baggage tag with barcodes. if the barcodes get covered up while on the conveyor belt, the bag could get routed to wrong location because the laser scanners will not be able to read the barcode.
I used to put colorful ribbons on to identify our generic looking bags. I now have distinctive luggage straps. They will secure the bags as well as be easily identifiable.
@@IrishAnnie just make sure the buckle is on the side of bag and not on the main part of bag. the buckles tend to bump or gets the bag stuck between conveyer junction points. if it on side of bag, it will slide easier in the system
...Also, if the handle breaks, you'll lose both tags!
if the scanner isn't able to scan the barcode, the bag is sent to a manual scanning station so the bag should not get lost.
To add to Megan's final point, for flights with a layover: When checking your bag at the beginning of your trip, always ask the airline employee what the baggage rechecking policy is for both your outgoing flights and your return flights. When I have flown internationally, with one layover in each direction, my bag was checked through to my destination for the outgoing flights (so I didn't have to recheck it at my layover airport), but for my return flights, I did need to pick up my bag and recheck it at the (same) layover airport.
I make them show me the tag indicating the final destination. Never had an issue.
I have found this to always be true for me also. International flights bags go all the way from check in but returning I must pick up and recheck after clearing customs in the USA.
That is ALWAYS the case for US flights
Entering with connection inner-US -> recheck
Leaving with connection inner-US -> no recheck
@@AnnaBanana-rq9vhThe tag may have the final destination, but in some countries, especially US, you MUST claim your luggage at the first entry you arrive in the US, go through customs. Once you clear customs, luggage handlers (right after customs counters) will collect your bags and transfer to your next (Domestic) flight. If you don’t claim your bag at the first entry, it will not be transferred to the next flight with you since it has not gone through customs clearance.
My last few international flights have been from Amsterdam. It’s a direct flight to Seattle, so no worries there
Great tips! For years, I only carry a carry-on. I can always buy or have washed what I may need at my destination. And, no waiting for luggage!
Thanks for watching!
YYZ
I had two soft side bags, a check-in and a carry-on, that looked like a lot of the others on a carousel. I bought some Day-Glo squeeze-bottle fabric paint, intending to write something distinctive. I'm no calligrapher and realized too late that it would be unreadable. So I just made squiggly lines. It looked terrible, but it worked. I was even complimented on my psychedelic technique.
Haven't heard that one but anything that makes your bag stand out, works! Safe travels, William!
Okay - a few comments. The plastic wrapping on luggage is destroyed by airport security. Mine was wrapped in India, and when it arrived in the US it had been torn off to search inside. (They always open my luggage and search it.) They left the plastic wrap hanging from the wheels of my luggage. Going to Morocco in early March 2020 with a connection in JFK, my flight to Casablanca was delayed a few hours but the checked bag was sent over on an earlier flight and got lost - i finally caught up with it five days later in Tangier. Even if you do your best to check your bag three hours in advance, it can still get screwed up through connecting flights. Third, for every trip i prepare a Word document that i make several copies of, put in ziplock bags, and put in everything I’ve got with me. It has my name, home address, cell number, email address, information about my final destination, and my flight itinerary. I put it in zippered outside pouch of checked suitcase as well as in a zippered inner pocket as you suggest. This has been helpful on several trips.
It’s not generally recommended to put your home address, since your home will be vacant. Other options are your work address, a friend’s address, or a family member’s address.
I've never had bag wrap destroyed by security, and I wrap every time flying to or from or within Africa and Asia, from UK or from South Africa.
Yeah, I've always put the info inside as well as on a tag.
@@paulchallenor8675 I had my acoustic guitar wrapped on a domestic flight...and I didn't ask for that. When I picked it up after the flight, the plastic was torn, probably for an inspection, because there was an additional sticker saying "Inspected by (Name of airline)"...go figure. This was from MO, to OH. strangely enough, on the return trip, they wrapped my guitar up again, and I received it with the wrap torn and with an inspection sticker again. I mean, what was the point of securing it if you're going to inspect it?
@@gizmogearloose3391maybe it’s you, you’ve got a name that sounds like someone on a list some place
Wow! Been with the airline industry for 34 years and you hit many great points correctly. Great job!
RSW for the last 13 years. My fav airport that I use to live near was DFW. If or when I do check a bag, I always hide an Apple AirTag inside so I can keep an eye on things. One in my carry on too, in case they suddenly check it.
After reading about the luggage fiasco that took place over the last summer in Europe and elsewhere, we purchased Samsung Tiles for our checked luggage and even our carry-ons. One more way to track your luggage is lost by the airline.
I always print my itinerary. I leave one copy with my spouse, put one copy in my purse, a copy inside my bag, in the outer pocket of the bag, and in a pocket of my clothing for checkin. I do this for checked (seldom) bag, carryon, personal item, and purse.
I also keep a precise list of exactly what I packed in each bag. This helps with wardrobe planning and is essential in case a bag gets lost.
Don’t pack anything in your suitcase you can’t afford to lose. With everyone having access to TSA keys, the idea of “locking” your suit case is bygone feature.
You can use a gun case and pack a gun in it along with all your stuff. Declare there's a gun in it at the desk and by law tsa can not open without your presence. Thus, you are allowed to use non tsa locks on it.
Insane@@Adamu98
@@Adamu98 good luck doing that in the UK!
@@Adamu98 Probably not outside of the US though. Good luck doing that in most of Europe.
@@jimrussell5931you don’t have TSA in the UK so it’s all rather moot
Example for the baggage recheck thing.
If you're entering the US and you have a connecting flight inside the US you >always< have to claim and recheck.
If you leave the US and have your connecting flight inside the US you will not have to recheck.
What? How does the second part make sense.
@@pennyk1943 Apparently the US doesn't care what you bring with you leaving the US
In the US, if your luggage gets delayed, don't opt for the "home delivery" that the airline might offer you. Tell them you'll pick it up yourself from the airport. These days the airlines just hire anyone with a pulse from gig-apps like "Roadie" for pennies to do the delivery. In my case, Delta's "delivery partner" courier stole the contents of my luggage and dumped the empty suitcase in the airport parking lot. I found out where my suitcase was from the police who turned it into lost-n-found.
That's unfortunate! I agree it is best to pick up when possible. The fewer people handling your luggage the better!
Oh I've heard of that happening a few times!! Thanks for the reminder!!
Nowadays all my flights are in the EU with budget airlines, so the check-in is online or via the app, boarding passes are on your phone and baggage check is self-service. So you attach your own suitcase tags, keep your receipt somewhere safe and then head straight for security. It's very quick and easy. I always find that checking the case around 2 hours before the fight is ideal, not too early and not too late. The baggage check machines won't work for your flight if you're too early, or too late!
Super clever tip about choosing the check-in lineup that is adjacent to the priority lineup! Genius. :-)
We arrived several hours early, when we checked our bags, they were sent on an earlier flight then ours. When they weren’t on our plane, we looked around and there sat our luggage against the wall. Anyone could have walked off with them, thankfully they were still there as the Local brides veil was in them!
A few tips when checking firearms: They must be in locked hard sided case & it the locks are not supposed suppose to be the luggage locks that the TSA has a master key for; this means that you must allow extra time because after checking in & filling out the form to declare your firearms & ammunition, you will have to wait with your bag until someone from TSA comes to inspect it because you will need to open it for them; after it has been inspected & relocked & they take the bag , you can then proceed to the security line. Since only cases that contain firearms are allowed to be locked with the more secure lock but the case may contain other things as well, I recommend getting a large Pelican case so you can have more of your stuff locked securely; just make sure the firearm(s) are on the top of the bag so they can be easily inspected. If travelling with loaded magazines, they need to have the caps that go on top so that the ammunition is fully enclosed on all sides; otherwise, all ammunition must be either in the original packaging or in a container specifically designed for storing ammunition. Make sure that every place on your case for putting a lock, has a lock on it; one lock is not good enough! Any adequate case is going to require at least two locks & some may require 4+ locks!Make sure that you are legally allowed to possess the particular firearms & ammunition in both the state you are travelling from & the state that is your final destination. If the airport you are flying into is not in your final destination state & you will be travelling by ground transportation to your final destination, even if your firearms are not legal in the state you are flying into, it is still legal to travel with your firearms so long as the remain unloaded & in a locked case while travelling through that state (as long as you are just travelling through) but make sure you have documentation such as a hotel confirmation that shows your final destination/ where you were actually coming from. All firearms, ammunition, firearm parts & firearm accessories (with the exception of scopes & red-dots) need to be in your checked luggage not your carry-on but only firearms & ammunition need to be declared at check in; firearm parts (except for frames & receivers) & firearm accessories do not need to be declared. Frames & receivers do need to be declared since they are legally considered firearms. Scopes & red-dots (because of how fragile they are) are the only accessories that are permitted in your carry-on. When you arrive at your destination airport, don’t be alarmed if the case with your firearms is not on the luggage belt, as bags with firearms are typically held at the baggage office for you to pickup (though once in a while someone messes up & they do end up on the luggage belt.)
The FBI doesn’t even lock their firearms case when flying. I know this because one of my son’s baggage handling coworkers got arrested for stealing one (an FBI agent’s checked firearm).
Chicago-O’Hare is ORD…because it started out as Orchard Air Field!
Interesting! Safe travels, Claudia!
I'm glad you mentioned buy obnoxiously bright luggage because I do that. I also think (maybe wrong but) maybe it helps not get lost? Like, having a bright case is probably memorable so I feel if they see it once then later don't, they'll think "hey where's that bright pink case?"
I also have a hard time with heavy things so if case is bright, I can see before it reaches me and at least mentally prepare!
As always ... really good stuff Megan. My usual home jump off is YUL, but try to use YQB as there is less traffic (but no trans-border preclearance). As the others noted - never have home address on the outside of your case. I use hardside Pelican cases, so simply write last name and mobile phone # on the underside and back of my cases. Also, ... I only use MasterLock real Paddle Locks ... never TSA ones. If I have to check a bag at check-in, I'll take it to oversize, have it scanned, then back the case out, lock it then let it go through (Like One would do for fire arms). Pelican or Nanuk cases may seem expensive at first, but mine have +15 years on them and never failed ... plus life time guarantee. Again ... love your stuff! Take care! Safe Travels!!!
Thanks you, Christopher! I have flown out of YUL on many occasions but never YQB. Safe travels to you as well!
Regarding the stickers and bagtags, unfortunately, a lot of people don't know it and thing it's 'cool' to have a suitcase filled with stickers from previous flights. I work at the airport and I've been told by my supervisors that it is not an check-in agent's responsibility to remove those things, however, whenever I see those, I mostly ask the passenger to remove at least the bagtag and I can place the new stickers over the old ones. The problem is if there are way more stickers, then you can only pray for your suitcase to get to your actual destination.
So please remember, if you want your suitcase to arrive at your final destination, remove everything. Don't go blaming the staff.
My home airport is LAX. My luggage tags have my work address instead of home for security reasons. I am one of the few people I know who always have their info both inside and outside of my luggage. The air tags are great and I have one for each of my bags. I also try and keep the luggage receipts in with my printed boarding passes. I use a digital one most of the time, but if the WIFI is unavailable, I can still board as scheduled. As for arriving at the airport, I use the boarding time and not the departure time. If I arrive 3 hours before the boarding time, I will not miss the flight.
When changing air carriers on a layover, make sure you have a boarding pass before you arrive. Partner airlines occasionally have communication problems when they are using different confirmation/reservation numbers for the same itinerary,
I've had to claim a bag and recheck it on domestic layovers too, so it is always worth verifying. The only times this has happened to me is when my route had me swap to airlines outside their alliance, for example flying Delta for the first leg and United on the next.
Pay extra attention when booking those flights! If a mixed-alliance route is unavoidable, make sure you have 3-4+ hours on that layover, just in case! It'll be a bad day if you have a short layover and you have to go claim your bags, re-check them, and go back through security to make your connecting flight!
Even when traveling carry-on only, gate-checks happen more and more often as more people fly carry-on. There simply isn't enough bin space on many (most?) airplanes for everyone to bring a full-size carry-on aboard. Personally, I'd only consider booking a short-connection mixed-alliance route if I was flying personal-item only.
The only time you would have to recheck bags on a domestic layover is if you booked two different alliances. And what person is doing that?! I always warn people against this. There are only a few exceptions.
Use bright colored luggage straps. This would help with making it stand out and also help if the zipper were to break.
When I was travelling from Ottawa to London UK one of my cases was opened up before me by security and it just had to be the one which held my chef/camping knives in ! But as it was my checked luggage it was passed and despite having to change flights at Washington DC it arrived with me in London. I was fortunate it could so easily have been flagged.
My husband 's job forced him to travel extensively. He always used the terrible old beat-up suitcases, and he never lost a single one
I was on a charter (I think)plane in Canada ,our Katimavik group was flying to Calgary from Montreal. Out 11 of us,2(including myself) had our luggage lost, meaning we had to rely on a thrift shops charity for clothing and sleeping bag. At the time,each province was for 3 months. They did eventully fund our luggage in Vancouver BC,and we recieved them a week before we finished the group(after 9 months).
Okay. I was flying to Poland with a stop in Toronto, Canada. AND was told by an agent I pick up my luggage at final destination, that was in Warsaw, Poland.
BUT that was not true!!!
Was traveling by myself, with two kids and three checked-in bags! And two trains to take after the flights!
PRAISE GOD!!!! ❤ I accidentally (?! no, by God's mercy! ) saw my luggage on the luggage belt in Toronto!
Praise God! If not for Him, my bags would've been left in that airport...
With my black suitcases, an affordable tip is to get colored duct tape and put a strip on each side of the bag so that way it’s easily visible and unique. I’ve never had issue with any residue being left behind on my soft sided bags, either.
About wrapping checked bags in plastic, some destination countries do not allow this. I think Kenya is one of them.
For international flights to be extra extra safe I prefer get to airport 3.5-4 hours before departure
I just write in bright Sharpie directly on the outside of my hardshell luggage *(and on the sides of our cloth 'bag-in-bag' duffles we keep in them for souvenirs on the flight back) my name/social media handle/email and phone number. Obnoxious large on all sides. No way someone is walking off going "oh I didn't notice that" even if their base luggage is the same color as mine. Don't care in the least of the esthetics of my bag, especially with how throwers ding and scuff it up every time it's used. I'm going to use these bags until they fall apart, so no "resale or donations" is not a concern either. No one follows me on social and I don't answer my phone to calls so this works perfectly for me! 😂
Hiding in plain sight. Love it.
All good information and I actually paused the video and went and ordered a luggage sleeve from Amazon! Came back and resumed the video. I think the most important thing I got from this was about asking the agent when checking in the bag if I’m going to need to claim it and check it in again, this happened to me coming back from Greece and I was not given any information and when I went to check it in again, they tried to charge me $100! My ticket had included one check bag. A wonderful agent figured out that I was not advised what to do when I picked my bag up from the carousel. Someone was supposed to help me take it to another location. So confusing! Thank you so much for this tip….❤
I wish at the exit from baggage area there was a check with bag tags. Last time I was returning to YVR, after customs I had to detour to restroom. When I got to luggage carousel my luggage was one of the last coming out. It was blue and had ribbon on handle. Saw a woman taking it off carousel 😮 I went over and told her that was my suitcase! She pretended that she made a mistake. Doubtful. With ribbon on handle, and distinctive luggage tags it would be hard to mistake! Sadly there are luggage thieves at airports. SEATAC is well known.
Glad you were able to retrieve your bag in time! Safe travels, Susan!
That’s because SeaTac is a shit airport
@@susan7775Agreed.
@@susan7775SeaTac is notorious for luggage theft but I was in YVR!
I remember years ago you needed to show that your luggage matched with the ticket they gave you when you checked it in. It wasn’t as easy to take the wrong bag accidentally or otherwise. Can’t believe they got rid of this step.
I've told my children since they were old enough to understand that there are two kinds of airline passengers: those whose bags are lost and those who are about to have their bags lost. Furthermore, l preached that a carry-on must sustain you for at least three days. (Hopefully your luggage will turn up by then!) Of course my older daughter didn't listen to me. She and her husband were three days in Barcelona with the clothes on their backs. The honeymoon got off to a very bad start. My wife and younger daughter spent hours on the phone with the airline trying to track down the luggage. (Yes, this international trip involved transfers.) Luckily, their luggage turned up in their cabin before the cruise ship sailed. All's well that ends well!
Hi Megan!!! So cool to hear that your home airport is YOW...so is mine! I love your videos and always keep up with them or review some before I travel.
A couple of weeks ago, I was told at the departing airport (Santiago, Chile) that my bag was checked in to my home destination (Ottawa). I had a layover in Bogota and then another in Toronto and then home. My bag was fine in Bogota but just before landing at Pearson Airport in Toronto, the flight attendant announced that everyone had to pick up their suitcases and had to proceed through customs even if you had a connection. I did check again with the oversized baggage desk in the Pearson carousel area and the agent did confirm all checked baggage coming from Colombia was flagged to be picked up and then checked again regardless. (Picking up checked baggage and then rechecking was easy and straightforward.) Apparently some countries are flagged for checked baggage to be picked up.
I was so glad to have picked up and rechecked my bag as another passenger didn't and had gone through the customs exit and was not able to get back to the carousel area and they were in a panic. Another passenger had told me that on a previous trip, they did not pick up their checked baggage as they were told that their bag was good all the way home. But like me the flight attendant announced to pick it up and the passenger ignored the announcement, therefore their bag got delayed arriving at the destination. For the most part is that if the flight attendant says pick up your baggage even if you were told it was checked to the final destination, it wouldn't hurt to just double check.
I love your content for travel. You are current and have great advice. Thanks, Megan...keep it up!
😊😊😊
If your FA tells you to do something, you do it.
Whenever you arrive on an international flight in any country, your first airport of entry is where you have to clear customs first. This is the universal truth for every country when you arrive internationally and not because some countries you arrive from are being specifically flagged for special customs checking.
Good tips. I put a copy of my itinerary in my bag, but never in the zippered pocket. I will do this from now on. Also, I have photos of the exterior, but not the inside. Another thing I'll add to my pre-flight.
3 hour advanced check in is OK for international travel, but too soon for domestic. I usually shoot for between 1.5 and 2 hours for the very reason that I don't want my bag waylayed before the plane departs. Your comment regarding asking the agent about rechecking bags is really important when booking the flight to ensure that you have enough time between flights to reclaim the bag and then recheck it. It is also important when returning to the US. If you have purchased duty free abroad and then are required to recheck the bag and go back through security, TSA will confiscate any liquids that are over 3 oz. You will have to pack these liquids in your checked bags and then hope to hell that they don't leak or break.
since everyone has a cricut (or likely knows someone who does...) or similar crafting machine.. it's easy to make custom decals for your suitcases.. I've got large yellow penguins on a black case and purple dragonflies on a dark blue case... not likely going to run into anyone else who has the same case with the exact same decals and makes them very easy to spot at baggage collection.. my husband travels a lot for work, so we've cut decals with his name, work address and phone number for his bags as well.. can even do iron ons or infusions for any canvas or fabric bags
Your video is excellent! Especially about adding contact information on the inside of luggage. People don't ever think that bag tags do come off in transit. And even if you lock your bag sometimes we need to get TSA to open it and try to locate you. It's a major reason bags get lost.
I have a couple more tips...
(1) Every airline has a baggage cut off time and each airline's time is different. PLEASE find out prior to coming to the airport. People don't understand that 1 minute late checking in your bag could make a flight 5 - 10 minutes late. That's not fair to 50+ people you're flying with, especially if they have a tight layover time.
(2)A lot of DELAYED (not lost) bags happen because passengers come to the airport in a rush and will just automatically sit their bags on the scale or baggage area at the ticket counter. When there are a lot of people checking in at once this can cause a lot of confusion and definitely getting your bag getting mis-tagged. Arrive early and be patient.
(3) Usually damaged bags and pilferage go hand in hand. I can't begin to tell you how many pilferage claims are due to overstuffed bags. Airline personnel don't have time to pick up every item that falls out of your bag when it bursts open. So packing light is absolutely a plus for all involved.
(4) Airtags are fabulous, but I have had several experiences where they sometimes are incorrect or stop working either in the luggage or via the mobile phone. You may not have experienced it yourself, but has happened. Don't totally rely on it.
The airport I flew out from - and if I fly again will be the one I fly in to - is NZAA - AKL and the one I flew in to, and will fly out from if I leave, is EGLL - LHR while my local airport is EIDW - DUB.Though I've also flown into both NZCH - CHC & EINN - SNN.
Not a huge traveller and I remember when ALL luggage was checked for the hold except a small - much smaller than you can use nowadays - carry on bag which you could keep with you or put in the overhead locker. Being short I always kept it with me.
I really like these videos. She tell you what to do and (as important) why to do it. Please never pack your Passport in your luggage or your carry-on (even tho there are 2 pics of that in this video).
I use Apple Air Tags on everything. My keys, my personal bag, my car, and always a checked in bag! I can actually follow it being loaded onto MY flight.
At 3:11 it sure looks like they put a passport in the suitcase! Our luggage tags that I print have the dates and locations where we'll be then our home address at the bottom. Thx for all the good ideas.
Definitely not where your passport should be! Thanks for watching!
Would suggest taking a photo of the luggage barcode tag just in case it gets lost, you can show the Agent the code number for easy tracking?
I agree! The more info you have the better if it gets lost!
I was quite nervous this past late spring flying from Paris to Milan. This was the first time we had to print out our own checked luggage tags/labels and put them on. The instructions on the screen went so fast. Worried we'd do something wrong we found a TSA person to put them on. From there we had to go to the conveyer belt, scan our luggage tag/label and put our luggage on the belt. This self luggage check made me feel I wouldn't see my luggage again, as I waved it goodbye. Thankfully our luggage made it.....I know I sound like a spoiled American but like us humans we adapt. It's all good.
Posting form DEN.
I rarely check luggage, as I believe there are two types, carry on and lost, but I gate checked a bag I realized I couldn’t lift after a mild shoulder dislocation on Southwest recently, and had the option of it waiting for me on the jetway. I took that option.
Gate checking significantly reduces the chance of lost luggage. A good option when available. Safe travels!
About the luggage tag -- I would not put your home address on the tag (if you must, maybe put your work address or some other address that is NOT your home, but that your bag could be delivered to if necessary). But still put your name and phone number so you can get contacted if your bag is lost. Generally if your bag is lost during your trip, they don't need your home address, and only will need it if it is lost on your return flight (at which case they can call you and you can make arrangements to get your bag back).
For identifying bags, just put something on the bag (like i put some red duct tape around the handle -- my bag is black so this is relatively easy to identify as i put the red tap on both handles (top and side). taking a photo of the inside of your bag is also helpful for when you have to repack to make sure you didn't forget anything. This is more crucial for things like roll on briefcase type bags or camera bags mainly, but can be helpful for regular luggage too, particularly if you are the type of person that tends to take everything out of your bag when you get to your destination (I don't).
I agree with your luggage tag info. I like to include my name, phone and email. Safe travels!
I don't see the harm with having your address as well.
One time when I was a teenager, I was at home and my parents were due back soon from a trip to Mexico.
Suddenly there was a knock on our front door and a complete stranger had pulled into our driveway with a suitcase in hand.
He handed it to me, said ""This has your address on it" got back in his car and drove away.
When my parents arrived home, I learned that they had lost a suitcase out of the back of the limo on the ride back from the airport.
They were late because they had been driving around looking for it.
Check, check, check! I think our suitcases are ready to go. I have debated getting one of those reusable luggage sleeves. Maybe I'll pick one up at the airport. 🌸Heidi
1 no previous tags on luggage.
2 inside put a card with your details
3 try to have a suitcase distinguishable
4 wrap your luggage
5 5ake a picture of the int and exterior of your bag
6 carry on must be small and of durable material
Thanks!
You are so welcome! Thank you so much for visiting the channel!
Over $700 for that carry on bag is crazy. Like your videos.
I was flying to Hobart, Tasmania, Australia from the US. I was going through LA and had to get my bag to recheck it. I noticed the tag had HBR (Hobart, OK) and not Australia! So now I always check the tag before they put my luggage on the belt!
*Level8 Luggage* bit.ly/level8-1 🌟Use code: Megan15 for discount + free shipping
Awesome carry-on and checked suitcases at the best price.
This link does not work. I get this message: This site can’t be reached.
Maybe it is because I'm in BC Canada.
@@garymackenzie9125 it works from Australia :) Happy travels
That's so strange, I'm in Canada too and this one does work for me: bit.ly/level8-1@@garymackenzie9125 sorry you are having trouble!
Their return policy is very limited and buyer beware. It was heavier than I was anticipating and the interior zippers were not as good directly ordered through their site as compared to a suitcase my sister purchased through Amazon for me. I’m disappointed at this brand. I used the code and it was on sale and it looks like I will have to keep an item I have now no intention of using and don’t care for. Level 8 I thought would have a better return policy like other suitcases.
I gave up on real carry on suitcases. Too many times I had to gate check it anyway. Stopping at the carousel negates the concept of traveling carry on only. I’ve gone to a squishy duffel bag and don’t worry about having fancy clothes that need to be packed carefully. I just toss everything in hodgepodge and then cram it in the overhead or under the seat. If I need something fancy or special, I’ll buy it when I get there.
Great advice and tips and I'm sure it's just stock video but shock horror at 3:10 as the person puts their passport in their suitcase ! A tip would be NEVER do that !
My main 'hack' is to travel hand luggage only. So far (tempting fate) never had to gate check a bag but just in case my critical items (passport, medicine, chargers etc) are in a separate small backpack with everything i need for the flight.
I find the inconvenience of having fewer clothes at my destination and maybe needing to purchase items like shampoo and soap (though many destinations provide these now) is far outweighed by the ease of just walking off the plane with all my stuff and never having to worry if my bag made the connection. Plus, I don't have to wait at the check in desk in a long q, just go straight to security.
Slightly surprised you didn't mention putting an Apple (or similar) airtag in your cases. Ive seen many reports where someone was able to tell the airline where their luggage was to help track it down.
During recent flights I have taken I have noticed the trend that an increasing number of travellers are increasing the size of their allowed personal it so not it is almost as large as their carry on luggage. It’s increasingly common that if your zone of the plane boards late that their is little or no overhead bin space.
Yes, watch out for airlines that use boarding groups instead of boarding the plane from back to the front. For example United Airlines. People with an economy aisle seat will be in the last boarding group & could miss out on getting space for their carry-on bag. Many short haul airlines will still have passengers seated at the back of the plane boarding first, so it's always easy to find space for your carry-on.
Where possible I always take anything important or valuable in my carry-on and my checked bag is usually only clothes. Never once in all my time flying here in Australia had any airline complain about my carry-on or tell me to gate check it (I have never heard of either fees for carry-on bags or gate-checking carry-on bags being a thing domestically in Australia)
One of my first jobs was in a Worldwide Carrier mailroom and I had to know all the 3 letter USA & International airport codes. And I still remember most of them 35 years later! I also remember all the Canadian ones started with Y
That is a lot of airport codes! Happy travels, Linda!
Except ZBF😁
In the UK they have a bag wrapping service. I wish we had one here in the USA too.
I put ribbons on my soft shell black bags, and a strip of grey duct tape with my name written with a sharpie. My next trip is a three week cruise, so I'm checking two full size bags, and bringing on a carry-on, and personal bag.....I had to laugh at 3:12 in your video, when a person was putting what looked like their passport into their checked bag.
good stuff. There are other bags that are high-quality and rugged, though.
Don't be afraid to ask questions I went out of the EU in Praha followed the signs right back into the Schengen area and couldn't get back because the ticket was used I got it figured out but autism and travel there is help if you need it
Airports are often difficult to navigate! I have needed help on multiple occasions especially with connecting flights! Safe travels, Nathan!
I just got back from Austin. There check bag belt broke so we had to show up an additional 3 hours before bording, and even then, the agents said we might not see our bags. Luckily, everything came.
I’m taking as many precautions as I can think of and learn, but I’m not packing any clothes that I’m most attached or difficult to replace… Like customized shoes, etc.
So many other UA-camrs - and airlines - have said to never use stickers and ribbons on your luggage. They confuse scanners and they create unnecessary alerts!
Oh, put in Flight itinerary! Brillant! Great idea the luggage sleave!After your video I went to take pictures not only of my suitcase but also of the content! So I am to have done-it ; ))
Great! Glad you found the video helpful!
I have to admit this is good advice. Please folks when buying luggage buy colourful luggage and hard shell with good wheels. You won’t believe how people pick up wrong luggage. One female passenger picked up TWO luggage’s that didn’t even come close to size . When she picked up her luggage the agents couldn’t believe the mistake.
Thanks for the tipped the discount for Level 8! I have one of their carry on's and it's great - time to get a bigger one. SNA is the local airfield for me. Cheers and safe travels!
Happy travels from L.A.with that new luggage!
We are in MAN.
Thanks for all the tips. Very useful.
I have a black bag, with a bright school bus yellow plastic tag, and a thick Christmas red yard bow on my bag. My suitcase is identical to my husbands so when mine was missing in Victoria Falls airport we could show my husband’s bag. As well as I had a photo of both our bags. I put my hotel name in my suitcase. Although my suit case arrived to Victoria Falls we had left to Cape Town that morning. The flights to Victoria Falls only come in on Tuesday and Thursday. We arrived Tuesday afternoon and left Thursday morning. The suitcase did finally arrive about 4 days later into Cape Town. My credit card allowed $500 purchases for new clothes. I had to buy WAY over priced clothes in Victoria Falls with US Dollars but they had very little things to buy. We used up almost all our dollars and ended up nearly broke by the time we left Victoria Falls (no ATMs). Bought a lot of clothes in Cape Town. Save your receipts.
We are checking our bags for our next trip. My husband had shoulder surgery plus we have winter clothes so we are taking the 24 inch bag and he can not lift our other 21 inch above his head or roll it far. We are splitting clothes into each other’s bag so if one of the bags does not arrive that person has clothes. We have AirTags and all airline apps. We are also carrying on the flight a fold up bag with one change of clothes each and underwear and pajamas.
Sounds great! Have a wonderful trip and I hope your bags follow you more closely this time!
I painted my initials on the bottom of my bag. That way when the bag is on the carousel - wheels first, it' s easy to find.
Also when travelling to London LHR from Ottawa YOW I had a one hour lay over in Washington DC IAD but to my surprise was stopped on entering departure area by US imigration on Canadian soil! anmd had to fill out a visa form for a 1 hour layover
Thank you , very useful tips. I am not a regular traveler but these are helpful hints. Cheers
These are all great tips, especially the last one!! I never thought of that even though it’s the same airline, it could get stuck somewhere else.
One more tip regarding unique suitcases... I deliberately got a very loud, bright red suitcase. Additionally, I used 3 inch green painters tape to 'dress up' the luggage, writing my initials with marker on top of the tape.
It paid off!!! In Ho Chi Minh City, some random woman came up and tried to grab my suitcase from the luggage carousel. I pointed to the tape with my initials. A moment later, another nearly-identical bright red suitcase came riding down the luggage ramp. It was her suitcase.
Lesson learned: Add unique decorations to your suitecase!
In Australia a lot of people send their luggage air-express a few of days before their flight. It's cheaper than excess baggage, they pick up and deliver, and you get a tracking number.
I am late for the party here, but great tips Megan as usual. I have never had my luggage lost, one was damaged but not too badly. I have Beatles luggage (Beatles fan ) so they are very distinctive at the airport turn style ! We also have tags with our name and address and we use those free address labels and stick them in various places on the inside ! Good tip about taking pictures of the inside of the suitcase ! I will start doing that. That was the funniest thing I heard all day when you said " If you do miss this step, your suitcase might end up having its own little vacation in France while you are in Greece. Love it Megan and I am sure it has happened to many.
Thanks! Good choice with the Beatles luggage!
My luggage tag has my name - first initial only - and something like BA 92 YYZ to LHR and the date. I do the same with the return flight.
we put air tags in ours, could watch at the airport as it moved from plane to plane.
Great way to track your bag! Safe travels, Patrick!
If you have a hard case carry on, there is a much higher chance you will have to check it. I would def reccomend a soft case carry on, like the Pategonia MLC (Max Legal Carry). It will never get checked !
I fly to singapore from australia. Bag check in is self managed. Using scanners ,so no staff needed but direct flight less chance of lost luggage
The last Suggestion reminds me of a flight I took from Frankfurt (germany) via London Gatwick to Plymouth (UK). Although I knew I had to pick uo ny luggage and check it in again at London and obviously did so, I found out after my arrival at Plymouth that it was left behind at London airport.
No worries bc I gave them the address of my hotel in Cornwall to where I had to go by train. To my surprise it arrived one hour ahead of me.
What a start to begin my holidays. I laughed a lot after that experience.
HPN is my nearest airport, surprised you did not mention AirTags
Great tips! Going to implement a few of them. Already adding AirTags to my bags when I travel. Ok the airport geek in me has to post this for you. Why Canadian airport codes all start with Y
As air travel became common, Canadian airports began to use 3 and now 4-letter codes, typically begin with the letter “C”. It is also thought that the reason the letter Y is used for all (or most) Canadian airports, is that the letter “Y” indicated there was a weather reporting station at the airport or close by. Y = yes for weather.
I don't know if this is specific to FLL (Fort Lauderdale), but our last two times flying out of FLL, they wouldn't let us check in or check our bags until 2 hours prior to departure. This meant we had to find a place to wait outside of security (which are far and few between).
I've been using business cards in my bag tag for 30+ years. I keep one inside and (usually) two on the outside (one in the purpose made holder and one attached to a handle).
Air France lost my baggage during a connection in CDG (Paris). I had pictures, receipts, custom bag with stickers, and a Samsung Smart Tag tracker... After a lot of stress they compensated me with almost 2000 US dollars, but I can tell you is not worth it, the real value of the stuff was around 1200 dollars, but the sentimental value was huge, I spent days traveling buying souvenirs that no money could replace... The Samsung tracker battery lasted for more than a year, and I could see the baggage near Valence (France) at some warehouse...... I just flew from Germany to Brazil, my most valuable things were in my carry on luggage and backpack, but this time everything went smoothly with my checked baggage flying with Lufthansa. (and I didn't take pictures, didn't use tracker, nothing.. I guess it's lucky)
Love your advice. Some of the best travel tips on the internet.
So kind of you to say! Thanks!
Just a note. If the airline employees on the ground crew forget to put that bag on its side while packing it can (and will) especially on windy days be rolling all over the airport. Sometimes they catch them as they slip away and sometimes they don’t. Once or twice they end up on the taxiway or runway. Two wheels are good enough.
Thank you for the advice, I’ll still avoid check in luggage because I really don’t like the waiting after departure and I don’t trust people to not steal my suitcase
8:15 that's what happen when a city comes late into the game. OTA is used by an airport at Ethiopia. And OTT for one in the countryside over here in Brasil 😁
BUT: there's no OTW. Lost chance in that one 😝
The Airport code for the international Airport of Rio de Janeiro, where I live, is GIG. It is located at the Ilha do Governador (Governador Island), close to the Galeão (Galleon) beach. So: Governador Island's Galeão Beach -> GIG