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3.5 million bags mishandled last year. Beat the odds.
Here's a tidbit of news from Today Show travel editor Peter Greenberg -- 3.5 million bags were mishandled January to November by U.S. airlines in 2006. No matter the reason, it happens.
Luckily, I've never had a bag get lost. Late? Yes. Lost? No. These days, though, more things are ending up where they are not supposed to be because of the airlines. It's the volume of bags. More people are checking their bags instead of carrying them on in order to get their lotions, toothpaste and other liquids on the plane.
Greenberg's luggage doesn't get lost because he ships them ahead via FedEx. He said that the hours he saves not waiting for a bag is worth the money.
Here are highlights of the tips Greenberg recommends to help you keep track of your bag.
- Put a name tag inside your suitcase as well since tags on the outside can get pulled off.
- Take a picture of your bag so you can give a better description of what it looks like.
Here are tips from me:
- Tie a bright ribbon on your suitcase so it stands out from the others. My mom found her bag in a huge pile in a storeroom this way. If you want a high brow look, here is a link to Wishing Fish.com luggage tags featured on Oprah and In Style. They are big and bright.
- If you are going on a smaller carrier, take you larger carry-on bag with you to the plane's door. At this point, your bag will be hand placed into the cargo hold and will be given back to you when you step off the plane. This method also works with strollers and car seats. At least it's worked for me.
If your bag is lost, Greenberg advises that you get the phone number for the baggage claim office at the airport so that you can contact them to check up on your bag's location. Otherwise, you'll get the airline's phone tree -- and we know how that goes. Lots of luck with that.
Filed under: Gear, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dan Parker Feb 6th 2007 4:26PM
I flew on business about 3 of every 4 weeks for nearly 30 years. Almost always checked the bag and in that time I had exactly four cases of mis directed bags. (One of these was intentional done by an Eastern employee on strike.) Some tips I learned over the years: Name inside the bag a must, never use curb-side check in, be nice to the person checking you in, always check the receipt to make sure it reads the same as your ticket. If possible watch as the bags are loaded onto the plane, same for connecting flights. Avoid connecting flights if possible, really avoid more than one connection. If it looks like your bag is missing, go directly to the baggage office and treat the guy/gal at the counter with respect. (The line can get real long if you're not the only one and yelling with get you nothing except your bags about a mounth later if then.) Don't use designer address tags. Do use those provided by frequent flyer plans, even if you are not flying on that airline. Don't use the little paper tags available at the ticket counter, too easy for them to get torn off.
Debbie Feb 6th 2007 3:10PM
Ribbons and ID tags help, for sure, BUT....it all boils down to PEOPLE NOT DOING THEIR JOBS!!!
I have a relative who is an airline pilot and his own family "lost" their luggage on a non-stop flight.
PEOPLE ARE JUST NOT DOING THEIR JOBS!
barbara paulson Feb 6th 2007 5:14PM
I also know what it is like to sit on the tarmac for several hours and not being able to get off. We sat in Austin, Texas on their tarmac because Houston had storms and we were diverted. I had already missed my connecting flight to Harligen, and they wouldn't let us depart in austin because their weren't enough buses to transport us to the terminals. And my luggage was lost also. My flight originated at 6:00AM in the morning and I didn't reach my destination until 9:00 that evening. I also had to return to the airport the next day for my luggage. I have gotten so disgusted with the airlines, that I really don't even care to fly anymore.
harold Feb 7th 2007 12:09PM
As an airline ramp employee, I like to add these suggestion to those that have been suggested.1. DO NOT PUT IN ANYTHING IN YOUR LUGGAGE that is valuble. 2.Do not put your medicine in your luggage. 3. Remove all old baggage tags. Put in side and outside the baggage to where you are going. 4. Put your toiletry, makeup, shaver, a set of underwear in your carry on bag.5. If you need whatever you are carring with you that day or next, carry it on the plane, don't be lazy. 6.Dress neatly, you might be wearing it for a few days.
Remember that your luggage is not unique, they made thousands like it, spray paint a big letter or number on it, both sides. Remove all straps and extended handles, they will be ripped off. And last, carry enough diapers and babby food for 12 hours. Signed an airline ramp employee.
Diane Feb 6th 2007 5:19PM
I work for an airline -- half the problems are due to the passengers not listening to what we are telling them -- they are not checking to make sure their bag is actually checked to their final destination - but then they blame us for "losing" their bag... Some bags get "bumped" due to weight and balance issues -- HELLO -- I would rather get my bag a couple hours late and not worry about the plane being overloaded = maybe it's just me - but safety would be my concern with an overloaded plane ! ADD a NAME TAG to the inside of your bag - get tags that don't tear off -- TRAVEL SMART !!
Brenda Feb 6th 2007 4:25PM
I dont like the fact that when your bags are left behind due to an overload issue , you are not notified . Ill NEVER fly US Airways again due to this problem. Not only had my bags been left behind, when I got it the next day all of the things I had purchased on my trip had been stolen from my bags. It wasnt anything of real great value because I carry those types of things in my carry on. What kind of SCUM do the airlines or air security have working for them. Im all for them being searched before leaving to go home for the day! Im sure the pockets of some of these people could be cleaned out on their way out of the building. Perhaps some us could get our things returned to us by doing so....
mary gramley Feb 6th 2007 4:29PM
my husband and I flew non stop on United from LA to Chicago OHare. my bag made it with us, his bag arrived on a subsequent flight. United had no explanation how two bags checked at the same time to the same location could arrive on different flights.
in addition, they announced that we would be able to purchase a meal on the plane, but they ran out of food about halfway through the plane, and had nothing else to offer to eat....the attendant even laughed when she told us they were out of food. some service! this on top of having our seat assignment changed twice.
they offered us a discount of $25 on our next flight. needless to say, we have not used our discount as we have not flown United since. We fly Southwest and have had excellent service...on time, friendly, great prices.
Father Richard Byrne S.J. Feb 6th 2007 5:10PM
The handlers steal stuff daily/hourly.
Ingrid Feb 6th 2007 6:24PM
When I fly I use a NON-BLACK suitcase....and I have a BIG yellow pom-pom made out of yarn attached to the handle....I can spot it when it first comes down the chute....also can usually spot it being loaded on the plane
shan2765 Feb 6th 2007 6:09PM
We were at the Alanta Airport being shuttled from the tarmac and as we passed a luggage trailer going to an airplane, a suitcase fell off in the middle of the tarmac. We had a 2 hour lay over and watched the suitcase from a window the whole time, airline workers passed it about every 2 minutes, but no one ever picked it up while we were there. I bet someone was disappointed we they got to their destination.
CB Feb 6th 2007 11:37PM
I call the day before my flight to check how many hours in advance I need to check in. Then I check in that far in advance. If you come late, overloaded, or don't verify baggage as checked don't complain. The airlines has no control over mother nature and I will gladly pick up my bags the next day if it means a safe arrival. What happend to understanding? Mistakes are made and we are all human. Be responsible for your part and be understanding to others. None of us are perfect in our jobs. Comment #1 is correct, a little kindness goes a long way.
Thomas Feb 6th 2007 7:09PM
As a pilot I understand the baggage weight issue, but I do agree that if your bag will be arriving later due to weight, you should be notified as soon as possible. I was stunned when I put my empty fabric/metal frame bag on a scale and saw how much it already weighed, severely limiting what I could pack for a long trip. (There are new, lighter weight bags out now. I sometimes use a large duffle bag with wheels.) I have had problems with my bag being obviously searched, which is fine, but many times there has been no TSA note informing me of it. Last year I found 2 items missing from my bag and a bonus: a wrapped, unmarked gift! For all I knew, that could have been illegal drugs or worse! I put my name, etc inside of my bags as well as 2 on the outside. I don't care what someone else thinks of my luggage, so I also put various stickers around it to make it stand out.
s m v Feb 7th 2007 8:17AM
I take exception to the comment made by Diane who works for an airline. The passenger is not responsible for making sure an airline employee does their job correctly. Placing half the blame on the paying customer is a cop out. It is the job of the employee to place the correct destination ticket on the luggage. The industry asks that passengers check to be sure the employee has done their job correctly. That's plain laziness on the part of the employee and the industry to have your paying customer constantly worry that you've made a mistake. Everytime I have flown, I've seen weight and balance issues addressed when checking in for the flight. Anyone whose luggage is over the limit is charged extra, so denying them a chance to get their luggage on board after charging them extra is fraud. The industry should just set a weight limit and be done with it. Perhaps airline employees should see things as they really are instead of blaming it on their customers.
roma Feb 6th 2007 5:03PM
Flew on Delta to Quebec for the first time and IT
WILL BE THE LAST FOREVER, this airline is the biggest
horror show and like so many American carriers it's
Third World treatment and knowledge.
Why have i flown for 40 years to Europe and have NEVER had this kind of treatment or luggage loss like
that on american carriers ? I know why !!
American Greed, cut of staff, bad outsourcing Co and poor paying services to them.
And the most poorest trained personal in the world. Had to spell the the citys name " Quebec" to the check in guy and i knew right there i was in deep troubble. Europeans who have used USA carriers will not shut up over this countrys backwards ways in
and its totaly justified. Nothing is perfect but this country is third world in airlines.
Santo Aurelio Feb 6th 2007 5:12PM
British Airways lost our 3 bags for 41 days. They never apologized or offered us any compensation or airline tickets. In fact they are blaming a Russian airline. When we wrote to the Russian airline, they never responded to our letters. I won't fly British Airways again, nor will I fly on a Russian plane.
Father Richard Byrne S.J. Feb 6th 2007 5:11PM
I worked for TWA, Ramp Service, the handlers also ripped off the baggage tags and sent a team to rob the homes listed.
rwaichum Feb 6th 2007 5:21PM
a couple of years ago. on an international UNITED AIRLINES flight. only one of two checked bags arrived when we did. two days later, the bag was found, but at a price. the UNITED employee charged me twenty five u.s, dollars. in order to get my bag back, take it or leave it. and later it was discovered that someone had been in the bag, and releaved me of a number of items. and of course no one wanted to talk about that at UNITED, in this country or over there,
Charles Allen Feb 6th 2007 10:29PM
As a TSA airport screener, I take great offence to people assuming that we take passengers items when we have to check bags. Yes, some of my collegues are responsible for theft of items. Think for one second though: there has been theft of items before TSA, and unfortunately, it will continue as long as humans are involved. But until the process is 100% automated, I suggest people go to www.tsa.gov and find ways to minimize the chances that you and your bags are checked. And as a point of reference, ramp agents for the airlines have more time and access to your bags than screeners do. How about thanking screeners for making sure you get to your destination and showing us some darn respect? We have a job to do just as you have yours and I don't come to your job and critize you so DON"T COMPLAIN ABOUT MY JOB!!!! Blame Osama bin-Laden!!!!!
Rick Stromberg Feb 6th 2007 10:28PM
Several years ago we bought red luggage to help identify them. When flying on Air France to Paris,someone took one of ours red suitcases by mistake. It took 4 days to have it catch up with us. My comment is to put some distinctive attachments to the suitcase so yours is notaceable. Also,stand near the front area to retrive your luggage so no one takes yours.
bill Feb 6th 2007 6:02PM
Many different lines of work have people who complain about the service. Its the incompetence of certain airline employees. The security lines have gotten better but at a price of more bags being checked in instead of being carried on by passengers. I wonder if airlines have increased their baggage handlers?? My guess is not which is where lies the problem with the huge number of lost suitcases every year.