Posted on October 6, 2010.
Baggage - Pack of accomplishment Between the time you check your luggage in time and ask you to your destination, it can be passed through a maze of conveyor belts and baggage carts, once airborne, baggage may wrap around the cargo bay of the plane hits rough air so.
In fairness to the airlines, however, relatively few bags are damaged or lost. With a flattening of common sense and other precautions, your bags will probably be among those arriving safely.
Packaging
You can pack to avoid problems. Certain items should never be put into a bag you plan to arrive in the bunker:
* Small valuables: cash, credit cards, jewelry, cameras.
* Critical items: medicine, keys, passports, vouchers, business papers.
* Articles irreplaceable manuscripts, objects.
* Fragile items: eyeglasses, glass containers, liquids (see the latest rules on liquids.
Things like this should be done on your person or packaged in a tote bag that fit under the seat. Remember, the only way to be sure your valuables are not damaged or lost is to keep them with you. Even if your bag is not lost, it could be delayed by a day or two. Do not put perishables in a bag, they may spoil if it is delayed. It is wise to put items you will need during the first 24 hours in a hand luggage (toiletries, a change of underwear).
Check with the airline for its limits on the size, weight or the number of unchecked baggage. (There is no single federal standard.) If you use more than one airline, check on all of them. Learn about your flight, different aircraft may have different limits. Do not assume that the flight has unlimited closet for luggage, handbags, clothes, and some may have to be verified.
If you plan to go shopping at your destination and make your purchases aboard as carry, keep in mind the limitations. If you check these purchases, however, carry the receipts separately they may be required to apply if the goods are lost or damaged. Do not put anything in a tote bag that could be considered a weapon (eg scissors, pen knife).
Checked baggage is also subject to limits. On most domestic and international flights, it's two checked bags (three if you do not hand luggage). There may be a surcharge if you bring more, or if you exceed the limit of the airline size bags. On some flights between two foreign cities, your allowance can be based on the weight of the bags rather than the number of parts.
The same two bags that cost you nothing to check if you have started your trip could result in expensive excess-baggage fee under a system of weights. Ask the airlines limit for each segment of your trip abroad before leaving home, especially if you have a stopover of a day or two, or if you change carriers.
Check bags should be labeled inside and outside with your name, address and telephone number. Add the name and address of a contact person at your destination, if it is possible to do so. Almost all the bags that are misplaced by airlines do come sooner or later. With proper labeling, the bag and its owner can usually be met within hours.
Not too much of a suitcase. This puts pressure on the latches, making it easier for them to open. If you plan to arrive, all electrical equipment, glassware, small appliances, pottery, typewriters, musical instruments or other fragile items, they must be packaged in a container specially designed to withstand a Rough handling * preferably a factory sealed carton or a padded hard shell carrying case.
Check-in
Do not save at the last minute. Even if you make the flight, your bag may not. If you miss the airline check-in time, the carrier might not assume responsibility for your bag, though.
