| Now that even more restrictions have been | | | | immediately. Most bags do eventually get returned |
| placed on what can go in carryon luggage, more | | | | and the odds are even better if you report the |
| people are finding it necessary to check their | | | | lost bag(s) as soon as possible. |
| luggage on flights. Unless you plan on purchasing all | | | | With the increased security for electronic items, |
| new toiletries after your plane has landed and | | | | many passengers may also be finding themselves |
| abandoning them before you make your return | | | | forced to check their cell phones, MP3 players, |
| trip, checking your luggage is the only way to | | | | PDA's, and laptop computers. This is a concern for |
| make sure you've got everything you need on | | | | many travelers for two reasons. First they are |
| your trip. If you find yourself in the position where | | | | concerned about their electronic equipment |
| you have to check your luggage, here are some | | | | arriving at their destination in workable conditions. |
| tips to make it as smooth as possible.Once you've | | | | Second, they are worried about the theft of their |
| purchased your tickets, you'll want to find out | | | | devices, which could be disastrous, especially for |
| how many pieces of carry on luggage you can | | | | business travelers.If you know that you are going |
| take with you and what they can way. Often this | | | | to have to check, you should make sure you |
| can be found on your ticket or the confirmation | | | | have the proper cases to do so. Even if you don't |
| you've received via e-mail or fax. If you can bring | | | | think you will have to, recent events have shown |
| two pieces of luggage, somewhere you will see | | | | that sometimes these items may have to be |
| the code 2PC (or 3PC if you can bring 3 pieces of | | | | checked at the last minute. Your best bet is to |
| luggage, etc.). You will also see a weight | | | | pack them as if you were going to have to check |
| specification in pounds or kilograms. If you can't | | | | them. Here are some tips on packing your |
| find this information on your paperwork, contact | | | | electronic equipment safely.For cell phones, MP3 |
| your travel agent or the airline, and they should | | | | players, PDA's and other small devices, make sure |
| be able to give you the information.Stay within | | | | that you have a padded section of your luggage |
| the airline's allowance for baggage. If you are | | | | that you can slip them into. This could simply be in |
| over, one of two things can happen. The airline | | | | the middle of your clothing. If you are really |
| can deny acceptance of your luggage, or more | | | | concerned about it, carry some bubble wrap in |
| likely, they will charge you an overage fee when | | | | your suitcase that you can slip the devices into |
| you are checking in.Find out the three letter code | | | | before placing them in the middle of the clothing. |
| of the airport that you are flying into. When the | | | | For laptops, the concern is much greater. |
| handler checks your luggage, make sure the | | | | Baggage handlers aren't known to be gentle with |
| correct code is being put on the tag that gets | | | | your luggage, and a laptop is going to get thrown |
| attached to your luggage. It's one small way you | | | | around often so choose a case carefully. You |
| can help avoid having your luggage lost. | | | | need a durable, lockable, hard case with |
| Unfortunately, if you have a connecting flight, you | | | | high-impact foam. You should be able to drop the |
| can't check the next code on your luggage, but at | | | | case from 4 to 6 feet with damaging the |
| least it will at least get to your first stop with | | | | contents inside.A final concern for checked |
| you.If you do have connecting flights, mention | | | | luggage is locking it. With today's security, the |
| that to the baggage checker. It doesn't guarantee | | | | Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may |
| your luggage will follow you all the way, but at | | | | open luggage at any time to inspect it, even after |
| least the checker will be aware of what needs to | | | | it has been checked. This means that they can |
| be done with it.Place your contact information on | | | | break open any lock at any time, and your |
| the outside and inside of each bag. Luggage tags | | | | luggage could be returned with a broken |
| are great, but they can get separated from your | | | | Purchase a TSA approved suitcase lock. They |
| luggage. If you have your contact information on | | | | are combination locks that allow you to program a |
| the inside of your luggage, it will be easier for the | | | | personal code to open them. They can also be |
| airline to match it up to you if the outside tags do | | | | opened by a key that TSA officials have. That |
| get lost. It's a good idea to do this with bags you | | | | way, the TSA can open your bag, check through |
| plan to carry on also, because you never know | | | | it, and relock it. Anyone without the key or the |
| when you may be required to check a bag you | | | | combination cannot get into your bag. If the lock |
| planned to carry on.Put something on the outside | | | | is opened with a TSA key, a security light |
| of your bag to easily identify it. Some people put | | | | changes from green to red alerting you that the |
| colored ribbons on their bags to easily identify | | | | lock was opened. Also, if the TSA does open |
| them on the baggage carousel. Using an identifier | | | | your locked luggage, they are required to insert a |
| makes it easy to spot your luggage and will help | | | | slip of paper telling you they have done so. |
| keep others from picking up your luggage by | | | | Daily air travel is always on top of the best tips |
| mistake.Guard the stubs from your checked | | | | and information on specific destinations. I hope this |
| luggage. If your luggage is lost, you will need them. | | | | this article on luggage check in tips has been |
| | | | useful. |
| If your bag doesn't end up with you, report it | | | | |