The REAL Reason Airlines Lose Luggage (and How to Prevent)

[@awaytogether]

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[@drgeorgia4393]

Carousel

[@GigaBit-i2j]

AIRTAG , period.😊

[@armondnetherly1655]

I had this happen with my carry on. A lady from first class was late boarding a plane and put her bag in the overhead above my row in economy. When I grab my bag out the overhead after we land, I immediately realized that she took my bag out of the overhead and was already off the plane and gone. Unbeknownst to both of us, we had similar black messenger bags. Luckily I found a business card in her bag and the gate agent called her to let her know she had the wrong bag. She was already at the carousel and the gate agent volunteered to go to baggage claim to retrieve my bag, because I would not make it back through security in time to catch my connection. Thank goodness for a helpful gate agent! I learned to now put a card in my bag just in case I grab the wrong bag and take off without noticing.

[@SaheeliRai]

That's very good advice! Thank you!

[@AllisonMoon-SheWandersFeral]

Put a HUGE distinctive baggage tag. I also put Birkenstock tags on mine. People really notice the giant Canadian flag & Birkenstock

[@TeaBurn]

I guess I should be greatful to have the ugliest hand-me-down bag from the 70s. There is absolutely no way anybody will mistake that bag for theirs, lol. That might also be a good idea for bags and luggage cases in general; avoid generic colors like black/navy blue/grey/silver...etc. Or have some very colorful straps that also double to help keep it more secure from bursting open after it's inevitably tossed like a trash bag into a dumpster by a jaded worker.

[@dreamervanroom]

Put a glam bow or ugly tape all over your bag -- or a contrasting strap around it. Then you can remove it when you want to look like all the rest. Make it look different.

[@c.thompson9771]

Leave 'um dirty.. so far, so good!

[@KenshoQuest]

And then there's Kansai International Airport in Japan, that hasn't lost a piece of luggage since it opened. I think a lot of it comes down to whether the employees care.

[@observer3232]

Bingo. Used to be, at least in the US, that the baggage handlers were actual employees of the airline. For the younger guys doing it was basically an entry level position, if you wanted to move up to public contact or other positions with the company you were motivated to do your job well. But most carriers have outsourced these jobs to independent contractors in many of their stations, except the hubs. I'd imagine, especially in todays soft labor market, that turnover is huge. Without the excellent benefits that airlines provide-or used to-it's a crappy job. Shift work, usually weekends and holidays, very long hours when considering most employees have to ride a shuttle back and forth to parking. Very physical, sometimes in terrible weather. If you aren't actually employed by the airline it's not worth it.

[@PekPiu]

Even when their Airbus MTOW would be exceeded? Are you new?

[@MoPoppins]

💯 Japan has a different ethos. Who knows if it’ll change with increased immigration and generational evolutions, but traditionally, they’ve always been very meticulous.

[@fannyl2600]

I think it depends on how the management care about their customers. If there is severe punishment on losing too many luggage, they would have taken actions to take good care of the luggage.

[@alias914]

Lost luggage and late luggage is different. I got my luggage delayed (carried on a later flight) many times, but never got lost. Kansai is the same. They had delay, but never lost it.

[@KiwiCrafts1]

Taking photos of your luggage before it goes beyond the counter can clog up your photos in your phone, but having that photo when your bag goes missing is super helpful.

[@MegaLokopo]

How many photos would you be taking? Also delete the photos when you get your bags back.

[@realulli]

@@MegaLokopo I don't even delete photos (regularly). Videos, maybe. But photos take so little space compared to the memory of the phone it's not an issue.

[@MegaLokopo]

@@realulli I don't either, and I also pay for cloud storage, but op seems to have a phone that is always full. Probably an iphone user with 64 gigs of storage, because 64 gigs of iphone storage is probably equivalent to 256 gigs of storage on android, at least according to apple.

[@wyldhowl2821]

@@MegaLokopo Just take one photo of each barcoded tag, preferably of the barcode and any serial numbers alongside it.

[@MegaLokopo]

@@wyldhowl2821 Yea, that should be done as well, but if you don't take a photo of the bag, if the tag is torn off or falls off or something, a picture of your bag is the best way to describe it.

[@ilrompiballe6187]

Flight attendant here. I would like to share a little anecdote about losing baggages: once I was finishing my turn and walking on the ramp (the external part of airport were the aircrafts stand) and one of those cars of ground handling passed next to me fully load, and one of the bags just fell from it, it was impossible to make the guy stop so the only thing I could do was find another handler and give them the dropped baggage. I don’t know what happened next, hope the owner got the baggage back.

[@vincent412l7]

An airport (in England?) had a big problem with missing luggage, which they could not solve. They finally walked the ramp. A baggage cart passed them. As it turned by a canal some bags came out and fell in the canal. When they looked, they found a pile (months?) of bags in the canal.

[@jmrumble]

As an airport worker, one more preventative tip to avoid lost luggage in the event of a delayed flight causing the airline to rebook you: Go to a transfer desk or the gate of your new flight and ask the agents there to verify whether your luggage is listed. Sometimes, especially when the rebooking is inter-airline, the physical luggage itself is delivered to the aircraft, but the tag number is not transferred correctly. If the tag number is not in the system, then the luggage is not allowed to be loaded. (It can, however, be sent on a later flight as a "rush" bag, but that involves extra steps including filling in a property irregularity report at your destination or online.) This is because the luggage, in normal operation, must remain with the passenger, and based on a tag number alone there's no way to determine who the passenger is unless the tag is linked to the boarding pass. If you have to check-in for a rebooked flight and see the agent re-entering details, this is a good indication that you'll want to verify if your luggage tag has transferred correctly.

[@dozzer009]

Great information! Thanks for tip!

[@hubertnnn]

This sounds like some ridiculous level of mismanagement. This could have been easily automated even by intern level programmer.

[@marygillespie2028]

Transfer mishandling: during a 2.5 hour layover at DeGualle airport this summer, our bags didn't make it into the plane. KLM had plenty of time. The Air Tags told us the bags were left behind in Paris, but that wasn't a lot of help! When we arrived IAH, it turned out that HALF the people on the plane didn't get their bags loaded at DeGaulle. There were a couple hundred people qued up to place a lost baggage report. This is sheer incompetence, nothing else.

[@TatianaTaninaNo1]

So far, CDG has been the worst airport I've ever traveled from. I missed my flight because the staff don't care at all. Plus, they do everything they can to trick you into paying extra for your luggage. Avoid at all costs.

[@alias914]

Did the luggage get lost, or just took later flight?

[@zaharabarry5347]

AVOID CDG AT ANY COST! for this and many other reasons

[@LathropLdST]

CdG is the spitting image of France, wdye.

[@LathropLdST]

It's Charles de Gaulle BTW. Spitting image of France, wdye.

[@wyldhowl2821]

This is all basically good advice. Having worked at an airport, I can tell you these tips, just from personal observation: 1 - At the airport I worked, if people checked their bags onto the conveyor with less than 30 minutes before their flight boarding time, it was just not going to make it onto the plane. The conveyor system with the barcode tags was great, but it still took about 30 minutes to get the bags down onto the cart that takes it to the plane for loading. That 30 minutes was for domestic, so I expect like with all things, international takes longer. If you have something weird to check in at the special desk (like a guitar case, pair of skis, etc.), arrive even earlier because it takes longer to process those and take them to the plane. 2- Switching airplanes / connecting flights: this video is too optimistic. I would never accept layover of less than 2 hours to change flights, and 3 or even 4 hours after an international flight. Remember that aside from the conveyor belt stuff happening twice, they have to sort the bags between those transferring and those which are at their final destination, AND they might have to go through customs inspection mid-transfer. Plus there is always the chance your first plane will be delayed arriving, and cut into that layover time, so never be an optimist about how long it takes to change planes, including your luggage. All that "transfer mishandling" stuff also increases in likelihood when the airport baggage workers are rushed; rushed people make mistakes - it applies to them just as it applies to you. They only get so many trips on from conveyor to cart to take it to the plane, and nobody holds a plane up for one or two bags. 3 - Here is a good idea: before they put your luggage on the conveyor, double check the destination and take a photo of the barcode tag with your smartphone. That way if you have to show somebody later, you have a photo that might actually be scan-able as proof of where it was supposedly sent to. If there is a reference number, record it on your phone too. 4 - Weirdly coloured tags are great, just make sure it is not something that can come loose and jam in the conveyor mechanism. But the TL;DR version is this: allow lots of extra time; don't rush in at the last minute or force them to rush the baggage handling at the last minute.

[@Martinit0]

Some airports seem to be very good at handling transfer flights' baggage. I had layovers of only 45 minutes - where I barely made it to the connecting flight myself running through the airport - and the baggage also made it.

[@wyldhowl2821]

@@Martinit0 Ive done the same, but I would count it as pushing my luck, taking a big risk.

[@KBinturong]

That’s why I try to always get direct flight : less fatigue and less risk of losing luggage or connection

[@tobiashartung856]

There's another more cynical reason to be precise with luggage value. It has happened to me a couple of times with sporting equipment where the luggage was declared lost and once I handed in the claim with full values, my luggage miraculously got found. The cynic in me believes that this is not only a "oh look, this bag with a lost tag has exactly the right contents" but also an economic incentive. If the value of your bag is too low, it is easier for the airline to simply declare it lost and pay rather than putting in additional effort to find and reunite.

[@gunnern1]

5:22 with most people having a smartphone with a camera nowadays, one good advice is to snap a photo of your bag prior to checking it in. Then, instead of having to describe it in detail, you can simply show the arrival service staff the photo.

[@lindawilkov6476]

Carousel! Many years ago, when I was a teen, I checked in at Newark (NJ) Airport to go visit my grandparents in Fort Lauderdale. The skycap tagged my bag to go to St. Louis! I didn’t look at the baggage tag that he put on my suitcase. Sure enough, my bag went to St. Louis. I did get it the next day; the airline had it delivered right to my grandparents’ house. Now I always check to make sure that my bag is tagged correctly! More recently, after my flight landed, I was late arriving at the baggage carousel and only one bag remained unclaimed. It was a red and black Eagle Creek bag, exactly like mine, but I realized that it was not mine! It belonged to another woman. She had a round, green luggage tag on hers, and so did my bag! It was unbelievable, but true! But her bag also had a tag with a picture of Daisy Duck, and mine didn’t. Long story short, I called the lady’s cell phone and explained the problem, asking her to please turn her car around and come back to the airport. At first, she said she was SURE that she had taken the right bag, but I convinced her to come back, and she did. When we put our bags side by side, we were laughing! The bags were identical twins! I wasn’t mad at her at all, I could understand how the mixup happened!

[@mayrahemmerechts5867]

This is why I like to customise my bags and luggage when possible, sewing or painting something on to it is the best option as those things aren’t easily removable while things like pins, badges and keychains can get stolen, lost or damaged. An other thing I think would be safe is to sew the AirTag in to the suitcase from the inside so the tag itself can’t get stolen or destroyed

[@vxicepickxv]

It's cheaper to FedEx a package to your destination than to pay the checked luggage costs, plus you can get insurance on your shipped package.

[@longfang98]

Not for international travel

[@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin]

@@vxicepickxv How you gonna be there to receive it? No hotel or airbnb will accept packages for customers. Basic security issue. Gonna have to get all the way out to their suburban facility to pick it up, and then get back to your room. Just pay the baggage fee and save a LOT of headaches. If you can’t afford it, you can’t afford your flight.

[@dianespizzirri8140]

I take a picture of outside and also inside showing contents!

[@mdhazeldine]

Yes, I learned this after losing my bag a couple of Christmases ago on a trip to Canada to visit family. Going through the British Airways lost baggage claim process they asked me to describe the bag and its contents. I had trouble remembering exactly what I'd packed because there were gifts and other times for family that didn't belong to me. I also couldn't remember the brand of my case. A photo is definitely helpful!

[@nelbelmont]

i do that in hotels... where i put my stuff

[@TheHomeDesigner123]

I was on a departing airplane looking out a window when I saw a baggage trailer go speeding by and dropping luggage on the tarmac. Unbelievable to witness.

[@acmejia]

i've seen single pieces of luggage sitting there on the tarmac, obviously dropped by the luggage trailer. I feel bad for the passenger who is about to have their day ruined...

[@Neilp2305]

40 years of international travel and literally hundreds of flights, I have had one bag not loaded, one bag sent to the wrong airport despite being properly labelled and one bag picked up by another passenger. All resolved in a short period of time. Only one claim resulted in any compensation. I have photographs of all the bags I travel with and have found that invaluable in getting my bag tracked down. Most of my travel has been pre-AirTag but I use AirTags today as well.

[@nelbelmont]

1:45 lovely thought. i do that... 3 hours and several times they don't accept them. once they left my luggage... and the answer was "because you came early, your bag was put in a place, as other bags were received, yours became distant to the handler" so... i came first... and by the time they loaded the plane... they didn't see my bag or loaded all other bags and didn't load mine because it was full.

[@matthewgruba8040]

I had a trip from Melbourne to Paris. Getting off the plane in CDG, first place I went was to the toilet. By the time I got to the carousel, my bag was not there. (A large rucksack with my paragliding kit). A porter noticed my panic, and guided me to the baggage claim, where my bag had been taken because it was bulky, and at the limits of included weight.

[@ryukiT3]

I took over 20 flights to and From Japan Via Japanaese airline. I never really thought about it, but my suitcase was in mint condition. I took ONE flight to an American city via Canadian airline... suit case was all banged up scratched up.. not lost. but it really shows the care of certain places vs others.

[@bruceclapp8836]

Carousel - Make sure you take off those small bar code tags - every checked bag gets one on a side away from the big long luggage tag. The numbers get recycled every so many months. The optical scanners - bar code readers - see the wrong tag and away your bag goes on its own journey. I was working in Abu Dhabi departed from Detroit. The bag went to Amsterdam for two days and sat out some where in the rain while it was there.

[@molybdaen11]

This should be a no brainer.

[@familieperrone99]

Thank you for pointing out that you MUST make the airline give you a reference number. I filed a claim a couple of years ago at night at Heathrow and was NOT given one, so Lufthansa did not accept my request for refund later!

[@AbiolaNeptune]

Omg I'm dealing with Lufthansa now and they lost our luggage a month ago and still can't find it

[@EverettBaland]

Happened this year. Took two airlines to help get my luggage to me. Only took five days. Also when working at an airport, I would see luggage rolling across the tarmac, pushed by all the air currents. Sad to watch the bag searching for its owner.

[@LittleBlueFish87]

I ended up buying an Osprey Daylite Expandable 26+6 backpack. It meets “most” domestic airlines under seat requirements. I can get 9 days worth of clothes into it with proper planning. By wearing mostly merino wool and mesh style underwear and bras, I can simply take some laundry soap sheets in my bag and wash and go as needed. Everything dries overnight, so I don’t need many clothes. We just did 9 days in Poland and that bag held everything I needed. I hate checking bags. I used to 35 years ago but quit after having my bags lost a few times.

[@ckm-mkc]

This - I can pack everything for a six week trip into a European size carryon but must be able to wash or buy clothes as needed.

[@mvsgeek]

Another good practice is to make sure that your name and address are on both the outside AND inside of the bag. Sometimes tags get torn off the outside of the bag. If your info is on the inside of the bag the airline will be able to find the information and return the bag to you.

[@rhondillon5056]

You can include an itinerary too, so airline can catch up to you. 👍

[@mvsgeek]

@@rhondillon5056 Excellent idea!

[@taniquel]

But make sure that the adress on the outside is covered by sth, e.g. if there's sth to slide it in, make sure that the actual adress faces the non-clear side. I've heard that there are burglars who fotograph address tags at the airport, because it increases the chances for finding a house or an appartement where they can break in undisturbed.

[@saldol9862]

Yeah one of my bags has a piece of nickel chromium superalloy in one of the pockets laser engraved with my info.

[@LynnHermione]

NOOO do not put personal information on something A THOUSAND PEOPLENWILL.SEE that's a recipe to get robbed, kidnapped or worse!

[@lauriewinblade5214]

My daughter had a "lost" bag. She checked the airtag and it had arrived to our home airport late. The airline said they'd deliver it the next day, but no one brought it. I was home all day, so there were no excuses that no one was home. A couple of days, yes, days later, they call her and again say they will bring it to the house. By this time, my daughter knows exactly where it is and has the police involved. The airline clearly didn't know where it was. She never did get her stuff back. Luckily, it didn't contain any items she couldn't replace. It did cost the airline a big chunk as she had to replace her retiners with an orthodontist in another state. She couldn't travel 3000 miles home during school to see her home doc, where it would have been easy to replace them.

[@Respectable_Username]

If there was an airtag, why couldn't the bag be retrieved once the police got involved with presumably a search warrant to go to the place the tag was pinging from? Genuinely curious where the process fell apart there

[@sinteleon]

​@@Respectable_Usernameguessing it got disposed. To hide incompetence, they rather foot the bill with no questions asked.

[@roguedragon9992]

@@sinteleon Or it was stolen

[@sinteleon]

@roguedragon9992 possible, but given the circumstance of it being late, it would have to be stolen by personnel or there was a security breach.

[@JamesTDG]

I have a recommendation for using air tags, try to sew it into the bag itself, if it's been lost, it is obvious that there was malicious intent involved

[@le8148]

A time my luggage was lost it was due to a airline tag error. It went to the destination of the people ahead of me in line. They were loud enough for me to hear where they were going and I remembered that, and it matched up with where the airline said it went. So, I assume the counter lady printed out an extra tag for that family and accidentally put it on my luggage. The airline happened to catch this mistake before I even landed. They informed me immediately of the faux pas and was able to reunite me with my bag surprisingly fairly quickly in the same day. The reason they knew it was mine was because I had a name tag with my contact details that they used to check against their system. So, my tip for people is to include a personal info tag on your luggage.

[@miniondave6314]

I put my contact info and destination on a piece of paper, inside the luggage, right on top, in the off chance my luggage tag comes off. That way it can still be identified.

[@Vromiaris778]

Another thing I do before checking in my bag is take a picture of it (the suitcase) - that way, in case it gets lost, i have the best possibkle descriptor right on my phone.

[@leeannkleine6120]

Yes, both the contents inside and the outside as well. Filing a claim is much easier if you can prove the damages were not there when you arrived at the airport.

[@sunnyscott4876]

I am 75 years old. I can't struggle with a carry-on anymore, and I get sick of seeing people trying to drag everything but the kitchen sink onto the plane, saying that they just travel with "carry-on." If you are going to do that, learn to pack light.

[@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin]

THIS! This this this this thisthisthisthisthisthis. ❤

[@sunnyscott4876]

@@whatifschrodingersboxwasacofin This too!!! AND EVEN THAT!!!!!

[@rogerwilco2]

I am required to travel long distances for work to often really nice places. I often take my holidays when I’m there. This often means I have to pack for 5-7 weeks of travel trough all kinds of climates. Especialy winter/mountain gear becomes bulky quickly.

[@Infarlock]

That's why I always travel with low costs around europe, no need more than a backpack with clothes for 4-5 days, flipflops, a few basic stuff like under 100ml soaps, sunscreen etc and snacks

[@coooooooooool1000]

a lot of this is also on airlines charging for checked bags

[@rockcat5000]

Back in the 60's, my folks went on a fly/cruise/fly vacation through the Panama Canal. Their luggage was lost, temporarily at least, and was one port behind them the entire trip. The zinger was, my parents were both over six feet tall. So shopping for new clothing was almost impossible. Lesson learned. Btw, luggage was delivered back home a week after the vacation.

[@lisasharf1442]

At least they got it back.

[@ponygirlup]

I'm glad I bought a tracker. Tracki brand. I had landed in Saigon and the tracker said my suitcase was there. I never saw it on the luggage carousel. I started to panic. I carefully looked at the tracker blinking on my phone and I finally saw my suitcase was off of the carousel waiting for me against the back wall. Incredible. -- You gave me a new idea: take pictures of my luggage so at least I have that in case I need to describe it.

[@blujeans9462]

As for your last comment: not so fast. :-) One time I was taking a domestic flight for a photography assignment. I wanted to travel as light as possible so no check in luggage, only a standard carry-on and a smaller bag, in lieu of a purse. Unfortunately, I was in the section that was boarding last. Literally as I was walking down the ramp, the stewardess stops us last 3 or 4 passengers and states there is no more room for carry-on and she would need to take our carry on. This happened so fast I had no time to think what I had in that bag and even if I did, I doubt she would have let me take stuff out, since they were closing the door soon. After I settled in, fear struck. All my id, including driver's license and rental car paperwork, was in that carry on. If it didn't make it to my destination, I doubt I would even be able to leave the destination airport. I had zero proof of anything. I spent a crazy amount of time waiting at the carousel. Fortunately, it eventually surfaced and everything was still there. Good lesson learned for me: even carry on only doesn't guarantee problems can't arise. :-)

[@hull294]

I've seen the same thing happen on several flights.....its usually because they are using plane that has smaller overhead lockers. This happens because of a change of aircraft due to needed maintenance or breakdown of the original aircraft....sometimes the original aircraft has been diverted to another airport & they have to use what they have. Their is no guarantee that you will get your carry on suitcase on board anyway so always treat it as if it is checked luggage & you won't be caught out with valuebles in the suitcase ...keep those in your accessories bag . Golden rules. 1/Always arrive in plenty of time & make sure you have plenty of time for transfers....we tend to characterise the baggage handling staff as villains/thieves but the vast majority are doing a difficult job understaffed & under pressure your tardiness does not help. 2/Make sure you have distinctive labels with contact details on all your bags including the accessories bag...their are two reasons for this... One ...finding your bags after a flight ...Two...security...every time someone walks away from a bag at an airport because they are distracted & not used to carrying bags some poor soul from security/bomb squad has to check it out....they risk not seeing their relatives again every time that happens...they have no idea its your kids cuddly toys in that bag...just moving the bag or opening a zip is risky.Causing security alerts & airports having to be cleared/flights delayed because you are not paying attention can be supper embarrassing & quite possibly expensive ....having distinctive luggage tags with clear contact details secured to the outside of ALL your bags can obviate this. 3/ As is always said in all of these videos ....make your suitcase as distinctive as possible & take pictures...use Air Tags for tracking if you can ...although no actual guarantee of getting it back...its nice to know it may be spending a few days in Paris even if your not ...take a photo of the baggage tag/pay attention when its applied to the bag.All of this will aid in its recognition & possible recovery. 4/Never put anything in a checked suitcase/bag OR carryon bag that you can't afford to loose. Ive seen people scrambling at the gate to pull valuables/medications/phone acessories out of carry on suit cases because they have to be taken by the baggage handlers...you won't have that much time....making sure you have those things in a bag (accessories bag) that can fit under the seat & packing a set of underwear & a toothbrush in there won't hurt either. I personally just carry a book bag as my accessories bag that can go on my back & reduces the chances of putting it down & walking away. 5/I've recently toyed with the idea of sticking my flight details to the back of my silicon luggage tags-: Date of flight Take off time Flight No From AMS.... To LHR (example)... airport codes should be in the flight details. One for the outward journey including transfer details & a sticky label for the homeward journey...you could even carry some blanks incase your flight changes or you get bumped.I"m pretty sure that this would not cause any security problems for me but I've yet to try it.

[@jacqslabz]

That is why you don't want to be one of the last people to board, the compartments fill up. Ensure your bag won't get checked by getting there early & being one of the first people to put your bag in. Also, when traveling always know where your phone/wallet/ID/medications/cash/etc are, and keep them ***on your person*** at all times. This is important for your own safety. Shove them down your bra if you have to. If a bag is serving as your purse, make sure it's a bag small enough that they can't make you give it up.

[@warrenschrader7481]

I would recommend getting luggage handle wraps so that people don't mistake your luggage for theirs. Plus, they make it easier for you to spot your luggage on the carousel.

[@wadehunter8113]

I got lucky last week - my bags were put on the wrong plane, but thankfully it was a plane to my town that had been significantly delayed. They were actually delivered to my house an hour or two before I got home!

[@cindywilkinson1610]

Thanks, Nik! I love my travel guru Rick Steves' rolling backpack. He does also carry regular backpack, which is lighter weight, and it doesn't lose space and weight devoted to wheels and retracting handle. As a mature woman, I love the ability to roll my case in most environments while still able to pull out the shoulder straps and hoist it onto my back to tackle long flights of stairs or a trek across fields or rocky terrain.

[@amandaloel1782]

I used Rick Steves "Europe through the Backdoor" when I went to Europe in 1991. It was so good 👍😊

[@02sparklestars02]

Rome, Italy’s airport is awful about dealing with delayed luggage. Air Italia didn’t get our luggage on the plane in Amsterdam even though there was plenty of time. Getting our luggage back was a nightmare. I’ll never fly that airline again.

[@jillbyford216]

I agree. They miss placed the whole planes for 3-4 days. I now only go to Italy with carry ons.

[@speeddaemon6557]

Haven't had a chance to try this myself, and it only works if it's legal at your origin and destination... Pack a cheap pistol - or even just a lower (which is "legally" a firearm). First off, your luggage gets inspected while you watch, after which you can lock it properly, but if it gets lost, when you go to the baggage agent, it's "My bag is missing, *and there's a gun in it*." Now there's a loose gun in the airport somewhere, and they won't stop looking till they find it.

[@Vincent_Beers]

Watch deviant olam. He's a security consultant that travels frequently with packed firearms. The amount of times they still lose his bags is crazy.

[@m3photo726]

05:29 “The more details you have, the better”. That’s why taking pictures of the contents of the baggage - not just when you’ve filled it up but in stages of packing - and obviously the suitcase or bag itself from several angles, is a must.

[@BigSneed404]

Former American Airlines employee here. Our policy was to avoid calling them "lost baggage" with the understanding that this isn't 1970 anymore. Bags don't get lost anymore, we use the term "delayed bags" because we generally know where they are but they're doing to be late. Also you should absolutely, positively, without fail pack any documents, medication, and a spare set of clothes in your carry on. Just in case.

[@barryfletcher7136]

Hahaha!

[@102679nc]

My luggage got lost twice even arriving way ahead of time. Transfer flights with same airline

[@ericyardley9348]

Carousel

[@AG-iu9lv]

Laptop, chargers, flipflops, clean t-shirt/shorts/socks in carry on. Wear cotton, easy care clothes on the plane so you can hand wash and air dry overnight to re wear the next day. This has saved me from having to buy clothes when bag was delayed a couple times, and I never went without clean, comfortable clothes. .

[@breadroomghost8764]

Air tag because don’t believe the line the airline sells you

[@langdalepaul]

I used to travel over 100,000 miles a year by air and in my experience the most common cause of transfer mishandling, after the connection time being too short, is changing airlines at a connection. The best advice is to try to avoid connections, if at all possible. If you must have them, try to keep them to a minimum, ensure there is plenty of time for the connection, particularly if changing between international and domestic routes, and preferably choose the same ongoing airline.

[@fredwood1490]

Something that actually works is to ship your bags by UPS or other large shipping firm, rather than on the flight. It will get here in a day or two, which is better than a week or two.

[@annabethwivell327]

It’s interesting to me that articles and videos talking about lost luggage usually mainly talk about delayed luggage, not lost luggage. That is, the luggage isn’t permanently lost but just missed a connection or something and catches up with you later, which is very common. Actual lost luggage (where you never get it back) is less common. I have many friends who fly frequently and I only know of one occasion when friends of mine lost their luggage never to get it back. But I know of countless times when I or one of my friends has had their luggage delayed.

[@GlennBanach]

Just an experience I had. One day while laying over in Atlanta, I was watching the airport activity. Down the tarmac came one of the vehicles with a train of luggage carts. Upon making a wide corner and suitcase tumbled out of one of the carts and rolled out onto the tarmac. The driver was unaware that anything happened and just drove on out of sight. I never did see anyone retrieve the suitcase and it was still on the tarmac when my flight left.

[@MoPoppins]

That does sound like something that would happen in Atlanta.

[@DevilTrojanChic]

You didn't tell anyone about it either...

[@Fakeaorta]

Did you tell a flight attendant about the luggage on the tarmac?

[@GlennBanach]

@@Fakeaorta with all the personnel on the tarmac, I figured someone would surely notice it.

[@dieseldragon6756]

@@MoPoppins Certainly at the Amtrak station, as well as the airport... 😉 (And that's why I prefer to transfer my own bags! 👍)

[@AuldePhart1]

Airline i used to work for had an irate transfer passenger who arrived in Raleigh NC with no baggage. Not our fault. But tracking the missing bag took over a week to find, and two weeks to retrieve and deliver. Original airline *handwrote* the tag for RDU. Sloppy hand writing was read as RDV, serviced once a week by contract mail plane. That pilot thought it was strange to have luggage and no passenger on his 6-seat airplane traveling to Red Devil Alaska!

[@rayjennings3637]

A few years ago, I flew North West Airlines from Kansas City MO to Amsterdam, Netherlands, with the connecting flight at Memphis TN. There should have been just over 2 hours between flights but the first flight was delayed by 75 minutes and when we got to Memphis, because of the delay, the stand was occupied and we sat on the taxyway for almost half an hour so I've not much more than 15 minutes to get from somewhere in Terminal A to the far end of Terminal B. I was told by the flight attendant that I'd have to get my skates on to get there in time. There was a PA call for me while it was on my way and when I got to the aircraft, they closed the door behind me. I was obviously worried about my luggage but the flight attendant on the long-haul told me not to worry because she believed it to be on board. Sure enough, when I stood next to the carousel at Schipol Airport, there it was. Somehow it got to my plane before I did!

[@Der_Ingenieur]

At least for international flights, lost baggage reimbursement is capped based on weight. A heavier bag has a higher cap, but you still have to show that the contents was actually worth that much. If you pack expensive items it may make sense to pad the bag weight to the maximum allowed. Half liter water bottles work well (and provide refreshment at your destination). If you’re overweight at checking you can just take one or two out.

[@robch4414]

Surprised you didn't mention: choose a direct flight any time it's an option for your itinerary.

[@douglasburnside]

My wife loves to travel. The best thing about that is she doesn't make me go with her. From the little traveling I have done, I don't recall seeing any sort of theft prevention. What is to prevent a fellow traveler from just picking up your bag and walking out of the terminal with it?

[@nvpoolshooter]

I guess I was pretty fortunate. I was a very frequent business traveler both domestically and internationally for 20 years. I had delayed bags maybe a couple of times. Standing at the carousel was always stressful. Get a spot near the point where the bags drop onto the carousel to make sure no one intentionally or accidentally grabs your bag. Here's a little pro tip secret: If you're flying coach and the check-in line is a mile long, go to the first class line, which is always short. Ask how much to upgrade to first class. It's probably too much or full, just say no thanks and let them check you in anyway. Never failed. 🤭

[@haveaknifeday]

I’ll travel with cutlery, hence my name so it’s always a crap shoot to arrive with the luggage. I do use an air tag and am very proactive with following up with those in charge. Sadly, we can’t carry on that kind of thing anymore.

[@lionessm235]

*Carousel 💼 Would love a “field trip” video! I saw one years ago made by a flight attendant. So many amazing things were there! Kind of sad, though. Who knows, someone may watch your video, see an item they lost, and be reunited. ✨

[@martinschlegel1823]

Gladly never completely lost luggage in my many travels (though delays are more common). Another tip: get some tag with a name and address and a phone number or e-mail address on your bag and fasten it to a different feature of the bag than the main luggage tag the carrier puts on. So if the handle of your bag breaks off (due to mishandling or whatever) and the tag of the carrier gets lost alongside there is a separate thing to identify the owner. Some bags have hidden tags where you can write something already included and the airline will look for them if necessary. Also: make sure your bags don’t break apart by a little bit of rough handling. Don’t use damaged bags, if you’re a frequent flyer invest in something robust even if it costs you a few grams of weight…

[@Der_Ingenieur]

I had a bag sent to Minneapolis instead of Indianapolis once. My wife had a bag sent to the wrong airport, then someone picked it up instead of his own and took it home. Luckily he brought it back when he realized he had the wrong one and a few days later it was delivered to us. What are the changes of the airline/airport screwing up and then a passenger mixing up bags lol. We’ve had other issues but so far have always gotten the bags back within a few days. AirTags are awesome. I wouldn’t recommend checking in anything without one.

[@nanemoon9968]

Ever since my suitcase was delayed four days on my trip to🎉 Egypt I pack my medication for the whole trip plus one week extra in my backpack. Plus official letter of my GP to avoid questions. It doesn't weigh a lot. Clothes you can buy easily anywhere, getting prescription medications is a huge problem.

[@amandaloel1782]

And expensive, e.g. Trulicity AUD 31.60 vs USD1,016.09 + USD150 for script!

[@MystereSapia]

ABQ airport has separate lost baggage department from the individual airlines. Airlines had no record of our lost bag. Luckily we ran into the airport security and they led us to the airport baggage staff. They had the bag. Whew! Also, highly recommend carrying hearing aid charger with carryon. They are not easy or cheap to replace. And hearing aids typically need charging overnight. Happy Travels everyone!

[@chrisanastasia4361]

My girlfriend and I just got back from a trip to the UK. The two of us were doing carry-on only, but at the last minute at the airport we had to check our carry-on bags since we were at the back of the plane. Gotta worry about that happening. We were going from Philly to Boston to Edinburgh, but thank goodness the bags arrived

[@janetmunro6178]

I would be hysterical as I carry medicine that must be kept between refrigerated

[@lauraday3163]

​@@janetmunro6178no US airline is going to force you to check medication. They will tell you to take it out first.

[@alanc3948]

Carousel. I’ve actually been to the unclaimed baggage store in Scottsboro, Alabama. It’s an amazing store. Clothes, electronics, rings, jewelry, anything you might expect to find in luggage. They even have displays on the 8:03 walls, of the most interesting things they’ve ever found in lost luggage. It’s quite a store.

[@christophersiano969]

There is one other thing that REALLY gets an airline's attention when it comes to a bag that is missing. If you have a Federal Firearms License and there is anything firearm related in your baggage, you are required by law to report the loss as soon as possible. Many shooting enthusiasts maintain an 03 FFL, also knows as a "Curio and Relic" license. Years ago, this got you all kinds of discounts, but today it just makes collecting easier, but also provides proof that you are a legitimate owner in many legal circles. OK, so how does this all help? There are a number of things you can pack that do not need to be declared, but if go missing, you are obligated to report to the ATF. Frankly, I don't know if bag A or bag B might still have something in it that must be reported. So, if one of my bags doesn't show up as I expect and I visit the baggage manager to inquire, the moment they say anything to the nature of "I don't know where your bag is", I get to say this: "I really need you to ask around again. By federal law, I'm obligated to declare the loss and as soon as I make this phone call, any number of federal alphabet agencies may come calling. This could end up being a very long day for you and I'd like to avoid that. Are you sure that there might be someplace you have not looked into?" At the same time, I pull up and show the contact on my cell phone for the ATF. The three times I have used this, the person I was talking to had some sudden inspiration and asked me to wait while they tried "one other idea". In two of the cases, my bag was found and brought out to me. In the third, it was traced to another plane which it had been loaded on by error. The third case was interesting. The management was so freaked out they they could not present my bag, they were nearly begging me to not call. I was able to get them to relax by explaining that I had to call if the bag was missing. Since they knew what plane it was on, it technically wasn't missing. They then bent over backwards to make a plan to get my bag to me. At 3am, an employee delivered the bag to my hotel. I also ensure that my bags have a unique marking on them that is easy to describe and nearly impossible to miss. Makes it quite easy to clearly identify. Something like "It's the blue hardshell with the big Miss Piggy decal on the side". (not my actual marking, but you get the idea.) I honestly have no idea what kind of response the call would have. All I know is that I've never had to make the call.

[@janetmichel3009]

Also: if your luggage isnt very unique looking and especially if its a popular model, give it some sort of super recognizable addition (like a colorful belt or attachment). So many people dont check the tag when they pick it up from the carousel and could potentially leave the airport with your bag. Its usually an easy enough remedy but still...

[@HH-hth]

ty carousel Another YTer's travel video said that a bag is more likely to get broken into by dishonest employees if it's checked in early, so now we don't know whether to check in early to avoid it getting lost or wait til closer to departure so that it doesn't get stolen or vandalized. We'd also like to know if and when airports are going to start checking that people are actually picking up only their own bags from the carousels.

[@rabbit_scribe]

I have heard the same.

[@nexusSix_237]

Wow. You really don't wanna do any thinking for yourself huh. Just sit and wait for someone to tell you what to do. What a lost little sheep.

[@annabethwivell327]

Strangely, the airport in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad (which country is certainly not a model for good organization, infrastructure, or security) does check everyone’s luggage after the carousel to make sure they all have their own bags. They have officials waiting as you leave the carousel, and you have to show them your luggage tag stub. It is indeed very strange to me that they do this in Chad yet not in any American airport that I’ve been to.

[@elderbug1824]

Carousel

[@My2Snoodles]

They did his for a while in Seattle. They had someone compare your luggage receipt with the tag on the suitcase as you were leaving. I liked that, but it didn't last.

[@mayrahemmerechts5867]

This is why I like to customise my bags and luggage when possible, sewing or painting something on to it is the best option as those things aren’t easily removable while things like pins, badges and keychains can get stolen, lost or damaged. An other thing I think would be safe is to sew the AirTag in to the suitcase from the inside so the tag itself can’t get stolen or destroyed. Also I’ve seen stories here of people seeing luggage fall of those carts on the tarmac so does anyone know what happens to random luggage found on the tarmac?

[@renferal5290]

I always just do carry-on. On occasion, I have had to gate check due to lack of overhead room. I had my bag get left in Paris while on the way to Florence. It took 24 hours to get it back. So now, I also have a change of clothes in my personal item bag even though I just do carry-on

[@FigaroHey]

I never travel through Charles de Gaulle airport if I can avoid it. It's like they are in the business of losing luggage in that airport. My luggage loves to spend a day or two in Paris

[@johnmills1675]

We made a second trip to Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro Alabama last month. Not much to do there but you can drive south toward Birmingham and spend night at Lake Gunther which is biggest bass fishing and powerboat racing lake in Alabama. My wife found some $600 Garnet Hill coat for $80 that she is still talking about.

[@SnL-2012]

Carousel 😊 Many years ago, my father thought he had lost his backpack on a flight.. I went to the Emirates lost luggage counter in Dubai and they directed me to their lost luggage room to look for it.. the room was huge! There were full sized cases, prams, you name it, it was there.. oh, my father hadn’t actually lost his backpack, he had it all along. 😮

[@gatewayz75]

I always take a photo of the luggage, I have a small distinctive sticker on the bag to help with identifying it and the only time my bag ever went missing was when someone else had the identical bag, they didn’t read the tag after grabbing it. The airline called the passenger and thank god they weren’t far and drove back to the airport. I never pack anything valuable or essential in checked bags, my carry on has all the essentials if I’m stranded with no luggage

[@timd6717]

I work at a major airline. One huge problem is customers putting ribbons, scarves, yarn, etc on the handle of their bag. They think that it will help them identify their bag, but what it often does is block the barcode from being read by the automated luggage system. The bag will get rejected and will not make it to the proper aircraft. Another common problem is cheap bags and overpacked bags. Bag handles are not built well on cheap bags and will break off the bag during handling, then the tag falls off of the broken handle. Travelers should realize that their bag can be on the pinned in place by multiple bags, since the floor of the luggage is curved or under multiple bags. If your bag needs to get moved first then your handle may need to slide hundreds of pounds without braking. Bottom line if you need to check bags, get a quality bag, keep your bag light, avoid any bling hanging on the handles (and external straps).

[@MoPoppins]

What would you suggest as the best way to bling out a plain black roller bag? The luggage straps that go around the belly?

[@timd6717]

@@MoPoppins I believe that a wrap (of 550 fifty cord or similar) tightly around a handle with a color of choice to be a good idea. It would identify one's bag while not obscuring the luggage tag. There are also Velcro handle straps commercially available. I have found that the straps around bags sometimes catch on many things, I dislike them.

[@Frag-ile]

What are airline's general stance on backpacks? When I travel I normally use a medium sized hikers backpack as I just find it a lot easier to travel with in every part of the journey that isn't in the air. I try to tie up all the straps well enough that nothing should be dragging or flapping around, but last time I was met with a bit of resistance on check-in and had to take my backpack to a "special luggage" desk.

[@DragonTutelary]

​@@Frag-ile Can't speak for airlines, but backpacks also depend a lot on the baggage infrastructure at the airport you're flying from. If they're too long they won't fit in the baggage trays and have to be handled separately as bulky baggage. Even if they fit there can be cases where straps hang out of the baggage trays and can cause problems if they get stuck somewhere during transport in the baggage system. For loading, as someone working in ground handling, bagpacks can be quite nice for belt loaders like the 737 or the Embraers (E175/190/E195 etc) as they can be fit into tighter spaces where a regular suitcase wouldn't fit anymore. However, that also means that bagpacks might be handled more roughly depending on who is loading them, as they might use more force to cram them into tight spaces that are still available in the belly between other baggage.

[@AJStarhiker]

My dad put strips of colored ducktape on his luggage. Not only is it easy to spot, the ducktape makes a quality case look cheaper.

[@timehunter9467]

That luggage shop sounds like when delivery companies auction off your “lost” parcels.

[@shortgirl346]

I've found resale stores to be a great source for lightweight merino wool sweaters. Ladies, check the men's department. Same goes for cashmere sweaters.

[@NiceLoki]

I'm certainly not paying £70 for a t-shirt!

[@jyyyb]

Keeping your most necessary things on you ( meds) is a v good tip

[@SC-hb8vs]

I feel damaged luggage is usually lost. It shows up 2 days later. By the time you get it, you don't care. I had one lost, when it showed up, everything inside was wet.

[@dino0228]

Don’t forget to ADD that “distinctive feature” of your bag for the airline to find. A colored belt or tag helps if your bag looks pretty generic. I tied a small orange fabric ribbon onto the handle of my plain gray luggage. This also helps prevent another traveler from mistaking your bag for theirs and walking off with it (which happened to me).

[@txfromwi1947]

Last week at Houston Hobby - worst luggage delivery times anywhere - Southwest - my bag never came out. But my AirTag was talking directly to my phone - so it was physically very close to me. At Hobby there is always someone at the luggage claim area making annoying announcements and that person is the luggage claims person. I attempted to engage in a rational discussion with this person - which was a waste of time - but when I could prove that the luggage was most probably immediately on the other side of the wall, and asking for her supervisor - magically my bag appeared. Can't say for sure that my AirTag saved my luggage from being abducted - but without that real time proof - who knows.

[@mauricegodfrey1163]

Nik, I returned from my golf trip to Scotland to learn that my clubs were still in Paris. Missed the connection. Thank you Apple Airtag. I too have one in all my bags (carry-on too).

[@vincent412l7]

Good idea also to get to the carousel early and to keep a sharp eye out. People will (accidentally or not) take your bags.

[@Pystro]

Additions to the "keep a sharp eye out" tip: Note that you don't have to stand _AT_ the belt if you're just trying to spot your luggage; but I definitely recommend standing somewhere where you can see the bags dropping onto the belt (or the opening where the belt comes out of the wall). That way you're guaranteed to see your bag (and any ones that look like it); and if it then doesn't come by the point where you stand (or the point on the belt that you move to once you actually need to grab a belt), you at least know that someone has taken it.

[@zioming]

I recall an episode of Galileo (a German TV series) about lost luggage where they showed that the airlines auction off the lost bags to people who buy them in hopes of maybe finding something valuable inside (though the airlines obviously take out all the really valuable items like electronics etc. and auction them off separately since it's a business for them at the end of the day).

[@KatilinaWRaven]

Airlines have admitted to stealing luggage they (staff) personally want.

[@DavidBarwick-hb7eo]

Flew from Amsterdam to Hong Kong and had to run from that plane to conect to our Sydney flight and i was amazed that my lugage arrived with us in Sydney. Good story.

[@AllenMarkel]

You should also take pictures of the contents of your bag. Especially of costly tech devices to show proof. Put business card in bag, just incase outer tag gets removed .

[@angelrosee73]

And the outside of bags too - this helped staff tremendously find and deliver my bags quickly in Australia

[@Digital_Cassette]

The store he mentions is called Unclaimed Baggage and it is located in Scottsboro, Alabama. They have a hodgepodge of items there. In addition to lost luggage from airlines, they also purchase luggage from bus stations, and cruise lines. Carousel

[@victoriasmith815]

Great invention the AirTag ❤

[@John-19k20]

06:00 If movies or series are anything to go by, sometimes luggage can also fall off the conveyer belts within the automatic sorting facility that transfers the bags to the correct chute where they get ready for pickup, if this happens, then the luggage will be stuck somewhere inside a huge room filled with conveyer belts going all over the place, and workers will have to go play hide-and-seek where they are the seeker looking for the luggage that's the hider.

[@emarti3419]

Carousel!!! This I need to see!!

[@peterfmodel]

Another cuase is when you get to the airport too early, your bag will likley be placed on the next available flight rather than your flight and end up at a differ carosel at the designation airport. This has occured to me twice, all domestic US flights to Colerado - not sure why, but there is it. If you understand this you just need to find the other carousel used by the earlier flight and you will find your bag.

[@cplcabs]

A good tip is to take pictures of your luggage show you can show the people at the baggage desk. This will help quicken things along.

[@dieseldragon6756]

I haven't checked a bag in a long time (And last time I did, it was before I'd ever had a smartphone) but I wonder if the check-in staff will allow passengers to photograph the baggage tags before they're sent into the baggage handling system? 💡

[@daviddelcasse6295]

Make sure you there’s something inside your bag with your full name address, number and email. When tags come off and your bag is a generic black soft case (which the majority are), these can be virtually impossible to locate.

[@dcarbs2979]

As an ex-baggage handler, there are some unfortunate times a bag will be delayed through no fault or preparation of the passenger. Either it doesn't go through the loading bay in time, gets dropped between belt and stand (e.g. loose straps on baggage train) or the tag gets torn off by the machines. Transfer flights have a special 'reclaim' area at my airport (Gatwick) but often there is not enough time between flights to load it. To avoid having a tag-less bag, put a copy of your bag ID on the case. The check-in assistant should do this for you. If the main tag falls off then your bag can still be identified like this.

[@Karen-p9t5g]

These bags are not lost by the airlines. Airports baggage system can back up, people leave on old tags, people hook the tags over two straps and if the handles get separated it can pull it off. If you are booked on a file with other people make sure the bag tag put on your bag is your tag. Take a photo of your bag with your phone if you have to file a lost bag it makes it so much easier.

[@KristinaL1698]

My second favorite tip to never having a bag lost is to not check one. If I can’t fit it into my carry-on, I don’t take it with me. My absolute favorite tip is to not fly at all, but to drive if I can do it in 12 hours or less. I’ve found that, what with travel time to the airport, getting there 2 hours early, flight time, layovers (if any), transport to wherever I’m staying at the other end, it often is faster and much more comfortable to just drive there. No lost or damaged bags, no hassles with security regulations, no limits on what and how much I can take with me, more comfortable seats, and decent meals and bathroom breaks along the way.

[@howlr747]

OK for short business trips or family visits, but no checked baggage does not work for 2 weeks cruises or longer vacations!

[@acmejia]

​@@howlr747 I do two weeks with carry on only including work trips. You just have to get really smart about the outfits.

[@acmejia]

Also I take the train if it's 5 hrs or less. Car? nah, train is easier and less polluting.

[@KristinaL1698]

@@acmejia I’d consider that if there were any trains in my area. Sadly, the closest rail station to me is about a two hour drive.

[@christopherconley5196]

Hi Nik, I’ve been to Unclaimed Baggage in northern Alabama. There’s a massive amount of baggage there on any given day. It’s definitely worth checking out. By the way, another great travel tip is to take a photo of your bag so if it’s mishandled, you can show it to the airline baggage staff. You guys have a great channel, Thanks!

[@jacquelinef9632]

Carousel! I'm a bit curious about that store as well. What is it like, what will be found? Do you purchase unclaimed baggage in its entirety or is it just a bunch of (emptied) luggage for sale and items from the luggage displayed like a thrift shop? Super curious!

[@08elk1954]

Hi, it’s items from the luggage, all sorted into areas like clothing, jewelry, books, shoes, scarves, etc., plus the luggage itself. The store is pretty big but it’s like a thrift shop basically. Fun to go, you never know what to expect there.

[@MoPoppins]

Tech KZbinr Brandon Butch has a segment on his show titled, “Crazy AirTag Stories,” and I’ve now heard multiple about flight passengers being parted from their luggage, some even weeks apart, but it was their AirTag that helped them to be reunited with their belongings. There were even cases where the airline told them their luggage was in another city, but their iPhone informed them otherwise, so they sniffed out the location using their device, and it was sitting in a nearby terminal, against the wall. TL;DR -> Place an AirTag in anything you don’t wanna lose!

[@ESUSAMEX]

Carry-on is the only way I travel. I do not trust anyone at the airport.

[@andrewlaurence8274]

Nit even the pilots? :)

[@renferal5290]

Me too

[@the_wiki9408]

I like to be able to use the toilet without holding a suitcase.

[@anthonykeller5120]

Every time I returned to the US on an international flight at SEATAC my bag missed making my connection and I had to wait until the next day to get my bag delivered to my destination. None of these flights had short connection times. I think the shortest connection time was four hours. Never had any problems in JFK or ATL.

[@MoonbeameSmith]

What I hate is that they don't actually care. They don't "look" for your luggage, they just wait for a scanner somewhere to "see" it. I lost my cane this year and the 3 airlines all blamed the others... I take pictures of all my gear and keep it in several places.

[@chuckinhouston9952]

Nobody cares about you or your property except for you and your family. Stop thinking that someone else, anyone else, cares about you or is looking out for you.

[@gareth449]

3 things i do when i travel is , as recommended i take pics of my bag , secondly i have a luggage tag from Dynotag Smart ID tag and thirdly i have a Laminated A4 sheet of paper with my address , telephone Number and E-mail which i place inside my bag on the very top ,

[@pcmacintyre]

I haven't experienced a lost bag yet. However, a couple years ago at Suvarnabumi, once I made it through immigration and went to the baggage carousel I was met by an attendant with my name on a sign. Somehow my bag ended up at a different carousel.

[@brontewcat]

The only time my luggage got left behind was when I arrived at the airport late, and only just made it. My bag did not. However, it was all good as I had a change of clothes and essentials with me. So it didn’t bother me. My bag turned up the next day and Qantas delivered it to my hotel.

[@rebeccablashock3829]

Carousel. 😊

[@christinabayma119]

But if you are allergic or sensitive to wool, be sure to try on merino before you wear it long term. Some of us are still too sensitive to wear this fabric choice. I opt for smart fabrics from sporting stores like REI. Soft and temperature balancing.

[@PekPiu]

Nope, you are a consumer and wrong. Luggage goes missing mostly when your plane does not have enough capacity to carry your bag. That lack of capacity can be space and/or weight. Mostly it is MTOW=weight. Now, when passenger is returning to their supposed home location, "bags getting lost" is most likely to happen. The airline thinks you might not need/want to buy a full set of everything, even if your bag shows up few days later. That is deliberate and 100% planned, but you as a civilian youtuber, you are not told any of that. Next, if you plan to fly with Airbus planes, those planes are made to be too light. Those have large cargo space, but those are capable of carrying all that weight, specially on long haul flights. They will again bump your bag to another flight, or a cargo link, but it will get delayed anyway. So, a combination of long haul flight, where the return is on an Airbus plane, is most likely to get your bag "lost". But again, youtubers, young tiny travelers, this must be new, and here it is shared now for further investigations.

[@peterhastings703]

Sorry, but your comments about Airbus aircraft are nonsense.

[@joanoconnor8552]

Just a suggestion, when your luggage is delayed and you are in France and it's Friday, go pick up the luggage yourself. The luggage arrived at the airport after 5pm on Friday but the transportation company the airport used did not work weekends so we didn't get the luggage until Monday at our hotel.

[@e815usa]

Don't check bags! Pack enough for a carryon and a personal item! Get an airline credit card where you'll be one of the first groups to board, not having to worry about overhead space. You'll thank me later! P.S. Carousel!

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

In the past 200 flights I have taken. I only Check bags. I never have carry-on because there are never any bins available because of rude pushy people. My luggage has never been lost. And they always come off the carousel first.

[@nanemoon9968]

Keep in mind : You cannot always prevent a forced check in. You have to fight with other passengers over the space in the bin. Therefore, you stand in the boarding line for ages to board the plane as early as possible. You need to be extra careful about the measurements, airlines change the allowed size and charge massive fees. Lots of disadvantages.

[@AG-iu9lv]

Because not checking is always an option /s

[@annabethwivell327]

I’ve traveled with only a carryon before and it’s amazing to not have to worry about checked luggage. I’m always excited when I can do that. It’s not always possible though: (1) it works for short tourist trips but (for me at least) it doesn’t work for long trips where I am going overseas for months or years; I just can’t fit everything I need for 2 years into a carryon! (2) most airlines outside of US carriers have weight limits on carryons and often on personal items as well. 7 kgs fills up fast and it doesn’t matter how good I am at packing into small spaces- 7 kgs is still 7 kgs; (3) if I’m traveling on multiple airlines, I can’t pay for priority boarding on every airline.

[@Estiallina]

@@AlphaGeekgirlthe luggage’s gods have shined their countenance upon you. 😊