OT - lost/delayed luggage?

[mommyof2boys1girl]

We don't travel much, and I am wondering how much preparation I need to do for the possibility of lost/delayed luggage?
We've never travelled with all the kids, in fact, my last plane ride was 5 years ago! We are a family of 5 flying from Calgary, Canada, straight to LAX. I was planning to pack some of each person's clothing and such in each bag (we'll have at least 3, perhaps 4). What are the odds that all of our bags could be lost/delayed, and we'd need changes of clothes/toiletries, etc in our carryons? And, if luggage is delayed, I assume the airline will arrange delivery to our hotel?

How can you tell I am an anal planner type who tries to plan for EVERY possible outcome?

 

[BecBennett]

I just made sure that there was a change of clothes and some toiletries in our carryon.
That way you'll at least have fresh clothes and the like to go out and buy some new ones while waiting for your luggage to arrive.

 

[noryglory]

The chances of losing one bag is slim...the chances of all of your bags being lost or delayed is practically impossible especially if it's a direct flight! I would pack one set of clothes (pant, shirt, underclothes) in an opposite bag for each person. If that one person's luggage is delayed or lost, at least there is one set of clothes for a day. Then your luggage will hopefully be delivered by that point, or if it is lost forever a bit of time is available to buy a few things.

But don't worry!! I'd spend your time worrying about the weather, also something you have NO control over!!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[OlivesMom]

I had 3 suitcases lost in less than 2 years, I got all back, but one time it took days. One time my sister's one and only bag never left the check-in station (the worker's got distracted). And I had someone leave with my suitcase once, we both had red ones, she didn't look closely at all.

I now always pack a set of personals in my carry-on (wearing the same pants/shirt the next day is workable). For my daughter I pack an extra outfit. That is because kids are kids. One flight back her diaper leaked and soaked her pants. So she got off the next flight with a new diaper on and no pants. She doesn't use diapers anymore, but I still pack extra outfits for her, they don't take-up that much room in the carry-on.

Put luggage tags inside the zippered parts (incase the paper one falls off). And if you have the standard black suitcase, attach some ribbon or find someway to make it look funky so it is obvious that it doesn't belong to someone else, and easier to find when it comes off the plane.

 

[bradk]

never had lost luggage personally. i did have luggage that didn't get passed along on a connecting flight, but that was the worst of it (and they delivered it to my hotel).

but according to the 2007 AQR, the airlines average between 3.14 to 17.37 mishandled bags per 1000 passengers. the good news is only really small or airlines i've never heard of cross the 1% barrier. most of the other major carriers and legacies are at about .5% on the whole

 

[kylieh]

I always carry a spare set of clothes for DH & I on longer flights. (don't worry on the way home.) If we have a change of flight or a long delay we will have something quick and easy to change into.

For DD5, always at 1 - 2 sets depending on the length of the flight. When we fly over in Sept, DD will probably have 3 sets as we have 13 hour flight Syd - LAX, 3 hour wait, then an hour LAX to LAS. Lucky her clothes don't take too much room! Then a sample pack or two of mouisteriser, travel toothpaste, hairbrush etc. We'll be taking two suitcases for the 2 weeks, and I'll be spliting our clothes between the bags.

Between DH & I, before children we both travelled a lot for work & personally, I estimate 400+ sectors. We only have ever had 1 bag incident. It was on a homewood bound flight and the airline couriered to our house a few hours later.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We lost a suit case on our last major vacation. We got to our home airport at like 11 at night minus 1 bag. It had all the essentials in it of course. I really needed my makeup for the next day at work too. But we got it back the next day. But I would take all the stuff you absolutely can not live without on your carry-on. Change of clothes, camera, meds...

 

[damiel]

Pack a swimsuit in your carry on along with a change of clothes. We had luggage delayed for 13 hours and I wish my DS had a swim suit. Yes, the airline will get your bag to you when they find it. Make sure you have luggage tags and personal information inside the suitcase.

 

[janc]

Coming home on our last trip (direct) the the airline lost one of our bags, it was the bag that had all of our dirty clothes. This was in August. They did get us the bag the next day. Probably because no one else wanted a bag with icky clothes! So they can lose a bag even on a direct flight!

 

[nancy drew]

we had our bags delayed on a trip to visit my ex-at-the-time's mother. my ex was not the best listener in the world, so he convinced me that the baggage people had no idea where our luggage was. so we went and bought new clothes for the trip at target. then i found out they totally knew where our bags were and were bringing them to my ex-mil's house the next day. so glad i spent all of my personal money buying clothes for all of us

so in the future i plan on bringing a change of clothing for each of us in the carryon bags. best way to save space: put each outfit in a ziploc bag, leave open, roll from the bottom squeezing air out. seal. the bags shouldnt take up much space at all. i figure if our bags are totally gone i can find a target and buy new clothing. if the bags are just delayed i can hopefully deal with having 2 outfits. and i bring important things like my glasses and important toiletries in the carryon.

 

[winewooltravel]

Also, depends on the airline and whether or not you are flying Non-stop, Direct, or with a plane change. Depends on the airline, but if it's a significant delay I think some will provide you with a stipend for necessary items.

If you are flying non-stop I wouldn't worry too much about it. Sounds like you're doing the right thing by putting an outfit for each person in different pieces of luggage. Have fun!

 

[mystic_path]

Personally there is always that chance of lost luggage. Its happened to the best of us and it always sucks. But you need to be prepared for that very slim chance.

I would keep a change of clothes for everyone just in case, as well as all your vouchers, phone numbers, money, ID, cameras, a contact case if you wear contacts, glasses, and all thats valuable to make your trip happen.

 

[bonita_babe232]

As someone else posted its a good idea to have something that is diffrent about your bags like a string or something. But one thing that i don't think is best... they have some name tags that are birght and colorful disneys one which are good normally... but going to dinseyland theres a good chance someone else might have it to! i always tie on one one of my little guys toys... that seems to work!

 

[SeansMom]

1) Medication: Use your carry on if anybody takes daily meds.
2) Cosmetics: If you can't live without yours, put those, too, in your carry on, just make sure to follow the current rules on size for liquids
3) Toothbrushes. Ditto for carry on. Who wants to take time to shop for a toothbrush?
4) Anything you can't replace: I personally don't travel with expensive jewlery, but if you do, wear it or carry it on.
5) Anything sentimental to your kids (blankets, stuffed toys.) If possible, leave them at home. If not, carry them with you.
6) Documents: Carry on. You don't want your park tickets in your suitcase.

Now you all know what's hiding in my carry on .

 

[AJA55]

You got me thinking..so I went back and counted. (please read this post with a Dracula accent) Over the last 30 trips I’ve lost my luggage 4 times. One time when I flew direct and the other three connecting flights. Twice the luggage was a few hours late and twice the luggage was delayed longer than 24 hours. (hey travelers out there….does this like a lot?)

Everyone has given you good suggestions. We have one carry-on devoted to meds, toiletries, camera and other electronics. And a backpack with something for everyone to wear the next day. Oh, don’t do what I’ve done and pack the address of the accommodations in the front zipper of one of the suitcases that was lost ! ! LOL

 

[AJA55]

Oh…hummmm … well…… I guess that I’ve never “lost” my luggage. It’s simply been “delayed” four times…….LOL

 

[noryglory]

LOL just think of it like this...your luggage took its own vacation!!

 

[winewooltravel]

You got me thinking..so I went back and counted. (please read this post with a Dracula accent) Over the last 30 trips I’ve lost my luggage 4 times. One time when I flew direct and the other three connecting flights. Twice the luggage was a few hours late and twice the luggage was delayed longer than 24 hours. (hey travelers out there….does this like a lot?)

Everyone has given you good suggestions. We have one carry-on devoted to meds, toiletries, camera and other electronics. And a backpack with something for everyone to wear the next day. Oh, don’t do what I’ve done and pack the address of the accommodations in the front zipper of one of the suitcases that was lost ! ! LOL

Just a quick clarification: you were flying DIRECT and not NON-STOP. Is that right? In my experience, non-stop is the least likely to have luggage lost.
I think mine has been "lost" twice. Once was a connecting flight, and the other was flying standby (we never count on luggage when we have to juggle around flight times)

 

[Brady's Mom]

Lost luggage just happened this week to our friend who is now at DLR. She flew non-stop direct from Salt Lake City to Long Beach on Delta. She is a single mom flying with two kids 9 and 12. Both of her kids suitcases were not there when she arrived. Not a very happy start for a mom a little nervous about traveling alone with two kids.

However, the airline delivered her luggage to her hotel at about 1 am Sunday night. Only a few hours delayed, but a rocky start just the same.

Spread your stuff around so everyone has a change of clothes, you'll be glad you did. Even if nothing happens, why not have just a little extra peace of mind??

And if you don't want to use ziploc bags for your clothes, simply rolling them together with underthings, socks, shirt and then pants makes it very easy to find what you need and takes up much less space in the suitcase. (or carryon)