Don’t Lose Your Luggage!
4 Ways To Keep Airlines From Losing Your Luggage, according to the New York Post.
Losing your luggage when you’re jetting home for the holidays is like getting coal in your stocking – it’s annoying and can turn the festive season into a stress-fueled saga. Picture this: you land at your destination, ready to embrace the warmth of family and the aroma of home-cooked meals, only to discover that your suitcase has embarked on its own adventure without you. It’s a plot twist that even the Grinch wouldn’t appreciate.
Let’s start with the numbers because, let’s face it, numbers make everything more tangible. According to the SITA Baggage IT Insights, mishandled baggage rates surged by 74.7% in 2022, reaching 7.6 bags per thousand passengers. That’s a lot of lost luggage causing chaos during the most wonderful time of the year. And it’s not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a holiday headache that can take days to resolve.
Once your beloved bag goes MIA, the waiting game begins. On average, it takes about 2 to 3 days for airlines to reunite you with your belongings. That’s 2 to 3 days of holiday cheer dwindling as you scramble to replace essentials like toothpaste, underwear, and, heaven forbid, that carefully wrapped gift for grandma.
Now, let’s talk money.
The cost of lost luggage can hit your wallet harder than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Replacement clothes, toiletries, and the inevitable last-minute shopping spree all add up. On average, travelers spend around $185 to replace lost items, according to the SITA report. That’s money that could have been better spent on festive decorations or that extra slice of pie.
Fortunately, airlines aren’t grinches all year round.
Most have systems in place to track and return lost luggage, offering compensation for the inconvenience. They understand that holiday travel hiccups can turn even the merriest of passengers into Scrooges. So, next time you’re airborne for the holidays, keep a close eye on your luggage, because nothing dampens the festive spirit like a missing suitcase on the naughty list.
Take a photo of your luggage before you fly
Everyone seems to choose the same, lame luggage. Black. Boring. So take a picture of yours. I actually suggest getting something crazy and bright because it stands out and you don’t have anyone mistakenly take your bag.
Print out your itinerary, and put it inside your bag
Gotta admit. I never thought of this. If it ends up in the wrong city and the tag rips off, they’ll open it up and look inside. Having your flight info in there can help get your bag back to you as soon as possible. Decent hack.
