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