Remove all old luggage tags and
stickers from previous trips.
On your outgoing trip, put your
destination address and phone number on your luggage tags.
Before packing for
any trip, check all the zippers and locks on your bags since they may have
become worn or broken on a previous trip.
Place
your name, home or business address, phone number inside your
suitcase. Include your itinerary.
To prevent your bag from looking
like others bags use colored tape to add a stripe or simple design to the
sides of your suitcase.
Leave a list of the contents of your
suitcase at home. Keep a copy with you. This will be valuable if your
luggage is not recovered and you need to submit a claim.
Never let
your bags out of your sight if you can help it.
Take only carry-on luggage when you travel. When
on the plane, carefully note where you place your
bags.
If you are
missing your luggage when you get there...
Report the
loss immediately to your baggage agent on duty, or ask an airport employee
where to report undelivered luggage.
Do not leave the airport until
you have filled out a lost luggage form and submitted. Keep a copy and get
phone numbers so you can follow up. They usually assign a tracking
code which you can use to check online of you bags
whereabouts.
If your luggage is not in the designated area when you get there,
note that, sometimes luggage is loaded onto a non-stop flight even though
you were on a plane that had a stopover on the way so your suitcases get
there before you.
If you need basic
amenities such as toothbrush, toothpaste and razor to be ready for a
meeting, just ask. Most airlines will provide these for you while you're
waiting for your suitcase.
Personal luggage
experiences...
I've flown primarily Northwest and
Delta Airlines over the years. Recently my luggage was misplaced by Delta
Airlines en route back to (DAB) Daytona Beach. I was pleasantly surprised
to get a call within hours saying that my bag was being delivered by
taxi.
Also, I've had my luggage arrive before
me when my connecting flights were changed.
