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Five ways to keep your luggage safe through the airport
One of the biggest concerns expressed by first time flyers is in regards to luggage safety. Where does my luggage go after I check it at the counter? Who will handle it? Who will look through it? Will it even be on my flight?Using a luggage lock can add an extra layer of security, but it wont prevent the TSA from looking inside. They're specifically allowed to remove the locks from any bag that they want to search, so unless you have a TSA approved device it's going to get cut off. Why get a lock if the TSA can simply remove it at free will? Because it prevents access to other people (baggage handlers, ticket agents, etc) in the chain of operation. It's also a deterrent to anyone who sees your bag on the arrivals carousel at your destination airport.
Speaking of the arrivals carousel, there's no riskier place for your luggage to sit, so make sure you get to the beltway as soon as you can after your flight arrives -- any random straggler can pick up your bags and wander off if they're not picked up immediately.
To that end, make sure that your bags have distinctive features with which you can track them. We're not saying that you have to get a hot pink leopard print roll-aboard, but a colored sash or a unique baggage tag will help you identify your bag on the carousel, in a thief's hands or to a wayward airline agent.
Another piece of data that will help keep track of your luggage is the baggage receipt. When the ticket agent at the departure airport prints out the sticker that will be attached to your bag, he or she will also print out a receipt that will often be attached to your boarding pass (or its jacket.) Hold onto this -- airline representatives can use it to track your bag.While you're in the process of filing away your receipt at the ticket counter, by the way, make sure to look over the shoulder of the ticket agent to check the destination of your bag. It should be printed in large characters next to the bar code. Hint: if it says SJO and your actual destination is SJU, ask the agent to double check the route.
Naturally, many of these tips are rendered null if you opt to carry on your bags. In addition to saving a load of extra fees, your bags will travel by your side for the entire duration of your trip, drastically reducing any risk involved and saving a little bit of time to boot.
Either way, it's important to remember that baggage loss or theft happens to a minuscule volume of air travelers, less than 8 in 1000 on average. Keep those statistics in mind and use the above security tips, and at the very least, your mind will be more at ease.
Naturally, many of these tips are rendered null if you opt to carry on your bags. In addition to saving a load of extra fees, your bags will travel by your side for the entire duration of your trip, drastically reducing any risk involved and saving a little bit of time to boot.
Either way, it's important to remember that baggage loss or theft happens to a minuscule volume of air travelers, less than 8 in 1000 on average. Keep those statistics in mind and use the above security tips, and at the very least, your mind will be more at ease.
Gallery: 10 of the worst luggage incidents in the world
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, Airports, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Golden Rule Mar 25th 2010 6:28PM
would it be safe is to send your bags ahead to your destination...say to the resort or your family your visiting.
Someone could start a business or hotels or even the airlines themselves could have a service for business for storing a set of clothes etc.or for say 3 days for people who go back and forth to the same area.
Airplanes would not use so much gas getting all that luggage off the ground.
You could check before you have left if all arrived safely. All you need is a samll carry on if case you are stopped by weather etc.
Wheels Up Mar 25th 2010 7:14PM
Have been through several airports where TSA employees told us to take the locks off before they checked the bags and they did not want us to re-lock after inspection. Our bags when through OK but were not locked for the time in the airport, loading or in the air.
giny Mar 25th 2010 8:06PM
Last year, during bad weather, I departed from DC for Houston, My baggage is stolen, in either NYC or Houston .. but maybe DC Dulles, I lost about worth of alot money in that baggage, but received a check from Blue Jet very less than it was worth.. My adviser to you all, dont bring any jewerly and any charger for camera either.. Very Bitter about it, because of my very old jewerly that belong to my grandmother that will never replace.
Janet Mar 29th 2010 12:47AM
Please, please, please never put your valuables in your checked bags! Or your keys, your medicine, your cell phone charger, you bridesmaids dress you're wearing the next day....
These items belong in your carry-on! It's not even mostly about theft, but about delayed baggage.
Also, the number one thing you can do to help the airlines reunite you with your bag as quickly as possibe is simply to have a name tag with your cell phone number and the number you are heading to on the outside of the bag AND a card with the same information plus your permenant home phone number inside the bag. Most bags are not lost, just delayed. The ones that really are "lost" are usually ones where the tag got ripped off on a bag belt and there is no identifying information in the bag to help get it back to you.