Most people know at least one person who has lost an item of luggage after taking a flight, and this situation can be extremely stressful and put a dampener on your holiday experience. The fear of losing cases often leads to people trying to get as much as they can into their carry-on bags, but there is unfortunately a limit to how much you can cram into a smaller bag that technically has to fit under your seat or in the overhead luggage compartment. Sometimes, the plane can end up being too full and, if you are nearer the back of the boarding queue, you may well end up being asked to check your case in at the gate just before boarding. It is therefore important to be prepared and take as many precautions as you can before arriving at the airport.
Check the condition of your case
It is important to check the condition of your case before packing anything into it: Is the case secure with no loose pieces hanging off it? Does it still have flight labels on from your last flight? Are the wheels still operating properly? Is the zip ok? Is it going to be big enough to accommodate all your travel items? If your case has any defects that may cause it to either get caught up in the conveyor at the airport or end up being faulty and possibly falling apart during your holiday, then it’s time to get a new case! Old luggage tags left on your case from previous trips could also cause confusion at the airport.
Identification
Once you’re happy with your case, it’s time to put some good visual identification on the outside of it. Get a brightly coloured luggage label that you can put your name and phone number on or make one of your own – many of the luggage tags these days have a flap that covers up the information to make it less visible to others. Never put your address on any luggage labels, as this obviously alerts people to your house being empty whilst you are away. Tie a ribbon around the handle of your case or get a strap with your name on. Whatever form of identification you decide to use, make sure that it is securely fastened and doesn’t have any loose pieces dangling off that could get caught up in something. It may also be an idea to buy a more unusual case colour, as most cases are either black or grey. Before closing your case, you could also benefit from putting your name and phone number on something inside the case for added protection.
Smart tags
The invention of smart tags, such as the Apple Air tag, has helped people to check the location of their luggage. The tag provides piece of mind to ensure that your case is on the aircraft with you and that it has landed safely at your destination airport – taking away that stressful carousel watching experience when all the bags appear to have come off except for yours! Smart tags are not wildly expensive, and sometimes you can get offers for buying two or more together. The tags are quick and easy to install on your phone and fit snuggly in your pocket or hand luggage. Once your case is all ready to go, it is a good idea to take a couple of photos of it to make identification easier if the need arises.
Don’t check your bags in too early or too late
If you have bags to check in at the airport, make sure that you don’t check them in too early or too late. If you check bags in too early, they may end up being left standing around somewhere waiting for someone to start moving them along the system. If, on the other hand, you check your bags in too late there is a danger that they may not get put on the plane at all. Always ensure that the new flight labels are securely on your bag and have the correct information on before checking them in. Once checked in, watch your bag go along the conveyor to make sure that it has gone along smoothly before walking away.
Packing your carry-on luggage
Some airlines, such as BA, allow you to take more than one piece of carry-on luggage per person. Many airlines, however, only allow one piece of hand luggage per person. It is important to bear in mind that if you have a cabin sized suitcase that there is a possibility you will be asked to check it in at the last minute if space is on the aircraft is compromised. So, make sure that any essential items you need to have with you, such as medication, travel documents, and passport, are easy to access. You may also need to consider toiletry items – make sure they are all secure before you travel in case they do end up in the hold, as you don’t want anything to have leaked over all your clothes when you arrive!
Consider your flight options
It may well be cheaper to take more flights to a certain destination, especially on long-haul, but the more flights you take the more likely it is for your case to go missing. Sometimes this situation occurs due to a lack of communication from the airline. If you are using the same airline or a partner airline, the luggage is generally moved onto the next plane for you; but never assume this. It is always best to check with the airline when you check in your luggage as to whether you will need to collect it after the first flight and check it in again for the next one.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the above points will help you to feel more comfortable when having to check in any luggage at the airport. Remember to put any important items, such as medication, travel documents, and anything you may need during the flight, into your hand luggage. Make sure that you keep hold of the luggage identification label that you get when checking in your bags. With everything in place, you’ll be able to sit back and unwind and look forward to your impending holiday!
