Inspired by the very funny Airport Luggage: The Bermuda Triangle Extends on Ubertramp.com.
If you’ve been on a plane more than once, chances are your luggage has been ‘misplaced’ at some point.
In the grand scheme of things, lost luggage is not a tragedy. But after a butt-numbing 20 hours in a plane (New Zealand to the UK, for example), you’re desperate for a shower and change of clothes. Not to mention exiting Heathrow as quickly as possible, and not filling out Lost Luggage forms while weeping into your itinerary.
Luggage goes missing for a variety of reasons: the airline misplaces it, someone mistakes it for their bag, or it falls off a trolley or luggage belt. Generally you won’t have to wait too long to get it back.
Preventing Lost Luggage Stress
- Buy a distinctive suitcase. I have pink. No one touches it. My black one used to go walkabout all the time…
- Don’t over-pack or check in luggage that is broken or worn. Check for loose straps etc that could get snagged on things.
- Label your luggage. Clear contact details. Put stickers all over it.
- Avoid checking in luggage if possible. If it’s a short trip, consider a carry-on bag only. Skip the queues.
- Hold onto your checked luggage ID tag. It’s usually a sticker on your ticket/boarding pass.
- Have travel insurance.
- Don’t pack precious items. Carry them!
- When picking up your luggage, hover near the beginning of the carousel. Sometimes bags fall off. Sometimes people let them.
When Your Luggage is Lost…
- Don’t panic. Most luggage turns up within 24 hours. Report the loss to the airline at the baggage terminal immediately, before you leave the airport. Fill in the forms with clear contact details and a clear description of the lost bag and its contents.
- If your luggage is damaged, most airlines will compensate you. Follow the process above.
Related Reading
- Lost luggage airline stats. It’s really not too bad. But to prevent any kind of delay or damage, I still recommend my tips above.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Haha, so does this mean I need to buy a bright pink suitcase? I don’t know if my masculinity can take that!
Good tips though. Definitely, hang onto the checked baggage ticket, ESPECIALLY when traveling internationally…
July 6th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Pink suitcase optional
Stands out, though!
July 6th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
I bought myself a bright yellow hardside from Samsonite when I used to work for them. I have only seen one other person on the same flight with the same bag and he fortunately placed a large sticker on his to really make it stand out.
This has me thinking that I could use that same idea in order to sell advertising space on my suitcase. Probably will not make a whole bunch from it but it oculd help pay for a flight to Italy. It will also help in making my suitcase stand out. Just thinking out loud here.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Good thinking, although then the advertiser might expect you to spend a lot of time carrying your suitcase around in public for maximum exposure!
July 6th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Sure. Public is good but Internet is better. When I go to Venice, hence the blog, I planned on doing a video Blog or vblog and if I show that piece of luggage in the intro to each episode then it would be like a subtle advert. Not too much in your face? Maybe. I will have to give this some thought as I do not want to come across as some greedy yank.
July 6th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Whenever possible, I avoid checking luggage like the plague. This of course is a challenge for a shoe hound like myself especially since shoes take up so much space. I usually travel with just a roll aboard and backpack. I’ve actually traveled to Australia 2 weeks with just a roll aboard and back pack. (Quantas did make us check our luggage on the way back to the US)
July 6th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Yes, just carrying stuff on board requires some heavy pruning! But then I do tend to overpack and end up carrying things I don’t need (I also underestimate how much I’m going to buy while I’m there so have more to bring home).
July 7th, 2007 at 2:25 am
Mind you, when choosing not to check luggage, be very careful that you haven’t accidentally packed anything that’s no longer allowed on planes. I generally have a Swiss Army knife sitting in my toiletry bag. Ten years ago, no-one thought twice about that, when it went on-board with me…
July 7th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Good point, Paul. That goes for things like nail scissors, corkscrews, sprays…
March 3rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Good thinking..
April 18th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Hiya, outstanding site yet just a little sluggish each time I view it, it will be quite possibly my internet service, I’m not certain. With thanks