Lost And Delayed Baggage Numbers - Don't Be One Of Them

Even with the higher numbers of lost/delayed bags it's encouraging to know that less than 1% of checked bags are permanently lost. That's little comfort to you if yours is that bag, or if a delayed bag ruins a vacation or business trip. So what can you do to minimize your chances of a delayed luggage, or make weathering the usual 24-hour delay in receiving it more bearable? Here are some packing, and checking-in tips:

• Check in EARLY. Nothing increases the chances of your bag being lost or delayed more than a last-minute check in.

• Know your destination's airport code. Make sure the tag the agent puts on your checked baggage reads LAX (Los Angeles) rather than LAS (Las Vegas).

• Choose non-stop flights whenever possible. The less handling your luggage has to have, the less likely it will go astray.

• Don't over-stuff your suitcase. Luggage that pops open will require special manual handling, likely delaying it from being loaded on your flight.

• Put identification on the outside of your luggage and make sure it's on a strong baggage tag that won't get torn off.

• Put additional I.D. inside your luggage and include your travel itinerary. It doesn't do you much good if your lost luggage can only be returned to your home when you are off on a two-week junket around the Caribbean.

• Make your baggage distinctive. Anything from a brightly colored handle cover, to a splashy-looking decal will work. A large proportion of misplaced bags are the result of passengers picking up the wrong bag and not realizing it until they get home. Some airports have security checkpoints at the baggage carousels, but most do not.

• Taking your digital camera along? Take a picture of the exterior of each checked bag. If you have to file a claim it is much easier to show the agent a picture of your bag than trying to describe how yours looks different from the thousands of other black, or navy blue, look-alike suitcases. Take pictures of the contents as you pack, also. That information can help the airlines differentiate your bag from others, and it can help you validate a claim should the worst-case scenario happen and your luggage is permanently lost. You can just delete the photos when you return.

• Cross pack if you are not traveling solo. Put a full days worth of mom's clothing in dad's luggage and vice versa. Same thing with grandma's or the kid's clothes. The likelihood of more than one of your party's bags being lost or delayed is almost nil and the vast majority of delayed bags are re-united with you within 24 hours. Everyone will have a change of clothes during the delay.

• Consider shipping your baggage ahead of you. There are specialized companies that provide this service along with the usual FedEx and UPS services. Just make sure your hotel will accept and hold the luggage for you first.

• Check with your accommodations to see what products they provide (many now offer a lot more than the usual shampoo and hand cream). You might be able to get away with the allowable carry on liquids this way and not have to check your luggage at all.

• The old standards definitely still apply – DO NOT put necessary medications, jewelry, cameras and other valuable in your checked luggage.

• IF the worst happens and your bag doesn't show up at your destination, don't leave the airport until you have filed a claim. Sure, the lines may be long, but you must file a claim right then or you may possibly be giving up all rights to any sort of settlement if it's permanently lost.

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