Airlines losing your luggage

[luvmylittleboy2003]

How often does this happen ? I'm so nervous about it . I hate packing our meds, camera, etc...into the checked luggage bag. What happens if they do lose your bag ? How do you enjoy your vacation if this happens - do they replace your clothes, personal items, shoes, etc..quickly? I think I need to take a 'chill pill ' but when traveling w/a 4 year old - I want everything as smooth as can be and want to know my options if its not.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've only had one experience with 'delayed' luggage in all my time flying. It's not something I worry about.
But.....do not put any electronics, such as cameras, in your checked bags!!! That's asking for them to be stolen. Same thing with any meds. Keep them in your carryon bag. I always have one carryon with my video camera, digital camera and any other electronics. That way I just open it up at security and they can check out what they need to check. Much safer that way. Again, do not pack cameras in your checked bags!!!

 

[laughinplace199]

I agree with the PP - do not pack your camera in your suitcase. Bring it in your carryon. The same thing for meds. I pack all the prescription meds and any other meds that we might need during the flight in my carryon. I sometimes pack things like Tylenol, Pepto, Advil, etc in my suitcase if I know that I won't need it during the flight. That stuff is easliy replaced if my suitcase doesn't arrive in Orlando when I do.

 

[Laz]

If you take a direct flight, the chances of "mis directing" (as the airlines put it) your luggage reduces greatly. If you are connecting, make sure you have plenty of time between flights. That will give you and your luggage time to make it. This does not assure your luggage will be on the flight. On two occasions our luggage was left in the connecting airport because, according to the airlines, the plane's cargo hold was too full for the luggage (even though the plane was not full).

Make sure you carry a change of clothes in your carry on along with your camera and persrciptions. Most hotels will provide you with a toiletry kit if your luggage is mis-directed.

 

[Laxmom]

We always pack one change of clothes and bathing suits in carryon as well as camera and meds; we each carry on one bag. My DH flies weekly and there has been an increase in the number of times his bags get lost. 3times in 3 weeks last month. Recently, Delta lost them on a nonstop flight. They always turn up less than 24 hours later - the airline delivers them to you. Have never had them not be able to find our bags. It is really just a minor inconvenience. Just pack a seperate carryon as I mentioned. Nothing to stress over - just gotta roll with it because there really isn't much you can do about it other than be prepared.

 

[melanie18]

We fly 2 or 3 times a year and haven't lost a piece of luggage yet. The closest we came was when they put 1 piece of luggage on the wrong turnstile thingy. Luckily, it was right next to us and we spotted it.

I agree with the other posters, put cameras, medications, all travel documents, etc in your carryon. With our DD7, we carry on 2 backpacks, one that holds all of the important stuff and one to carry all of the "toys" and books to keep her occupied.

Don't worry and have a good time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How often does this happen ? I'm so nervous about it . I hate packing our meds, camera, etc...into the checked luggage bag. What happens if they do lose your bag ?

Never never never never never (did I stress "never"?) put valuables, medications, or travel documents in your checked luggage. Never.

 

[Lewisc]

NEVER PACK MEDS OR EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT INCLUDING CAMERAS AND IPODSin checked luggage. The airline assumes no liability if they are stolen plus your vacation will be negatively impacted if you don't have your camera and meds.

edited to say the I was composing this post while the previous post was posting but this advice can't be repeated too many times.

 

[ntsammy5]

Never never never never never (did I stress "never"?) put valuables, medications, or travel documents in your checked luggage. Never.

Never? I agree!

 

[goofy4tink]

Never never never never never (did I stress "never"?) put valuables, medications, or travel documents in your checked luggage. Never.

So, I shouldn't put my video camera in my checked bag at any time...that kind of 'never'?? Tell us how you really feel, missy!!

 

[englishteacha]

A friend's luggage got lost on her honeymoon...and she didn't know to pack an extra set of clothes and a swimsuit in her carryon. They were headed to a remote destination and ended up wearing the same things for 3 days. Remember to pack extra clothes in the carryon!

 

[cocoswife]

I am a lost prevention analyst for a major airline and bags are "misplaced" everyday We are talking of an average of 4 per thousand passengers. I do want to support the never,never,never,never, ever pack any of these group and add a few:

- Jewelry
- Car/House keys
- Important documents
- Hotel/ Car confirmation

Also, when you pack your bags mix everyone's clothes around, never, never, ever pack one bag for each member of your family. I work at a small station and we average around 14,000 to 20,000 bags per day, bigger stations can average from 150,000 to 200,000 bags per day. At some point a mistake will be made by an employee, we are only human. Baggage systems also break down and bags get stuck or sent to the wrong area.

Now that I've given you a baggage 101 lesson, let me tell you that when we travel, we always check our bags, I still have faith in the system

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, in your case - feel free to put your expensive electronic equipment in MY luggage. I'll drive down this weekend with my Disney-bound suitcase to make it easy for you

So, I shouldn't put my video camera in my checked bag at any time...that kind of 'never'?? Tell us how you really feel, missy!!

 

[bavaria]

First, there is a HUGE misinterpretation on this website re 'lost' luggage. 99.5% is DELAYED, not lost. DELAYED luggage usually arrives within 24 hours and is delivered to your destination. This has happened to me 3 times in almost 40 years of flying; for the last 3 years I have averaged over 100,000 miles/year.

LOST luggage never arrives. This occured to me once, when I moved from one country to another, courtesy of BA (which seems to have a much higher loss rate, and I doubt that many Americans are flying BA to MCO)

Airlines usually compensate up to $50 for items to replace delayed luggage ie toiletries.

How do you deal with it? you DEAL with it. Go to the hotel gift shop and buy the essentials, then go out and enjoy your trip. If you filed a claim at the airport, chances are that your luggage will arrive within 12 hours of your flight. Don't pester the hotel front desk staff every 20 minutes. Do let them know if you want the luggage delivered at any time ie 3am, or if you want them to wait until a decent hour to deliver it to your room.

I've seen far too many people whine and moan and spend a day in their hotel room due to delayed luggage. Just deal with it. Last winter I managed to make it to a work meeting with no luggage. Heck, I even posted here about my lack of clean undies and had an offer from a local poster to come to do laundry if need be.

Recently I was delayed and rerouted through India for 36 hours in 40 degree celcius heat, arrived in Paris in filthy clothes, dripping in sweat, to find my luggage delayed. I got on a bus, went to my hotel, showered, changed back into dirty clothes, and after 30 minutes went to meet another poster at Disneyland Paris. When my luggage did arrive at 4am, most of my clothes were soaked with a smelly liquid, and had to be drycleaned, so I was without clean clothes for two days.

We had a great time, kathleena never once mentioned that I smelled, and after a few minutes I forgot about the lack of luggage and approrpriate clothing.

Sorry to sound harsh, but delayed luggage is not that big a deal.

oh, and NEVER EVER EVER EVER check valuables in your suitcase. Did katieelder already mention that?

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Thanks for all the great replies, I love the one about not packing each person's clothes into their suitcase and mixing it up , never would have thought about that - we each have our own suitcase and thats how we would have packed. Thanks again everyone!!!

 

[bavaria]

do they replace your clothes, personal items, shoes, etc..quickly?

no, if your luggage is delayed OR lost, YOU replace your items, not them. Then you file a claim; and ensure that you do that within the time permitted.

oh, and the chill pills go in your carryon with other medication

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

oh, and the chill pills go in your carryon with other medication

 

[KJF]

I agree w/ not packing any electronics & prescription meds in the checked luggage. The other thing we do - since we're taking 3 checked suitcases, I split up all of our clothes into 3 piles - make sure it's complete outfits for everyone, right down to underwear & socks. I do always carry on a spare outfit for each kid, but don't bother w/ one for DH & myself. At least w/ all of our outfits spread out in 3 suitcases, I would hope the chance of all 3 getting delayed is slim! I do carry on bathing suits though - I have no desire to try & find one of those if it gets lost - Once is enough each season!!

 

[sluggo]

On two occasions our luggage was left in the connecting airport because, according to the airlines, the plane's cargo hold was too full for the luggage (even though the plane was not full).

This usually happens because of weight and balance problems more that physical room. When the plane is overweight or unbalanced, the airline employees just reach in and start taking bags out until the problem is solved. The bags are then sent on the next flight that can accomodate them.

Sluggo

 

[sluggo]

I agree w/ not packing any electronics & prescription meds in the checked luggage. The other thing we do - since we're taking 3 checked suitcases, I split up all of our clothes into 3 piles - make sure it's complete outfits for everyone, right down to underwear & socks. I do always carry on a spare outfit for each kid, but don't bother w/ one for DH & myself. At least w/ all of our outfits spread out in 3 suitcases, I would hope the chance of all 3 getting delayed is slim! I do carry on bathing suits though - I have no desire to try & find one of those if it gets lost - Once is enough each season!!

This is great advice. Another reason to do this is if the bag is delayed and the airline grants compensation, most airlines pay $25 or $50 per day per ticketed passenger that has items in the delayed bag. In other words, if the bag has only one person's stuff, you would get only $25/$50 per day. If the bag holds 3 people's stuff, then you would get $75/$150 per day. Remember though, the airlines usually do not offer any compensation for the first 24 hours of delay.

Sluggo