Avoiding Lost Luggage
The U.K. newspaper, The Telegraph, recently reported that airlines lost 42 million items of luggage a YEAR in 2007. That number is expected to rise to as much as 50 million by 2011. The Telegraph reported that, according to SITA, a company specializing in IT solutions for the aviation industry, “The majority of mishandling incidents occurred when bags were being transferred from one aircraft to another. Problems also arose when aircraft left before the luggage was loaded on, or when the airport code or flight number was misread on the luggage tags.” (Read the full story here)
Which begs the question, what's a traveler to do? Below are tips to help you avoid having your luggage lost and what to do if it is.
Photo by Margan Zajdowicz.
Plan for the loss
Most lost luggage will find its way back to its owner within 24 hours. So what do you do in the meantime, since all your belongings were in that lost bag? Pack a carry-on bag with one day's change of clothes and travel-size versions of liquid- and gel-based essential toiletries. That way, you're good for at least a day.
Check Your Luggage In On Time
Make sure you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check your luggage in. Don't wait until the last minute. Any sort of delay (long lines at curbside check-in, random security check of your bag) just increases the chances your bag won't make your flight with you. Checking a bag in at the last minute just makes it that much more likely that your luggage will go astray.
Identify Your Luggage, Inside and Out
Yes, I know, you tagged your luggage on the outside. How about the inside? It's important to tag your luggage on the inside of the bag as well as the outside, in the non-so-unlikely event that the outside tag gets ripped off during the handling process and your bag is misplaced. This will help to identify the luggage.
Check the Tag
When the baggage handler tags your bag, either curbside or at the counter, take a quick peek at the tag to be sure the destination is correct. On a recent flight out of Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, the curbside baggage handler actually showed me the tag and asked me to confirm the destination before applying it to my luggage. If your handler isn't as accommodating, be sure to check it yourself.
Keep a Record of Your Luggage
Quick, who's the manufacturer of your luggage? What color is it? Describe it in a way that makes it sound any different from hundreds of thousands of other pieces of luggage out there. It's not easy! Many travelers, especially in stressful situations, can't adequately describe their bags, the color or the manufacturer. If you don't know what your bag looks like, how is the airline supposed to find it? Take a picture of your luggage so you've got a good visual record, and take the time to either memorize, or better yet, write down, the details of your luggage such as color, manufacturer, and any distinguishing marks that will help you identify it.
Fill Out the Forms
You've arrived at your destination, but it seems your luggage didn't make the trip. Once you've waited a reasonable amount of time watching the luggage caraselle go round and round, contact the airline. It's likely that your luggage got delayed and was put on the next flight. If that's the case, they'll let you know. Then you can decide if you can afford to wait at the airport for it, or fill out all the appropriate forms and have the airline send your luggage to your hotel room (or home, if you're on the return leg of your trip).
Declare Your Valuables, Or Carry Them On
If you've got something particularly valuable in your luggage you should fill out a special declaration form from the airline, or better yet, pack it in your carry-on. Personally I wouldn't trust valuables in checked baggage, but there are times when one has no choice. This is especially true when traveling internationally, as international carriers (especially no frills airlines such as RyanAir) limit their liability much more than domestic U.S. airlines.
Make a Claim
If your luggage is well and truly lost, you'll need to make a claim. Domestic airlines' liability is limited to $2,800. International liability limits are typically much less. Be sure to read the airline's fine print regarding liability. If you purchased your ticket via a credit card, check with the card issuer. Some insure against lost or damaged luggage. If you purchased additional travel insurance, you may also be able to make a claim that way.
In addition, homeowners and renter's insurance policies typically cover your belongings, even while traveling. It's worth checking your policy should the need arise.
Make a List, Print it Twice
Should you need to make a claim, it will be much easier if you have an itemized list of the contents of your luggage. Create a packing list (also helpful when packing so as not to forget anything important, like that contact lens case, belt or tie!) and print two copies, one to leave behind and one to take with.
With these tips, you'll minimize the chances of your luggage going astray and increase your chances of getting it back if it does, or getting adequately compensated if it's forever lost in the void. Now get packing!
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