3.5 million bags mishandled last year. Beat the odds.

by Jamie Rhein on

Here’s a tidbit of news from Today Show travel editor Peter Greenberg — 3.5 million bags were mishandled January to November by U.S. airlines in 2006. No matter the reason, it happens.

Luckily, I’ve never had a bag get lost. Late? Yes. Lost? No. These days, though, more things are ending up where they are not supposed to be because of the airlines. It’s the volume of bags. More people are checking their bags instead of carrying them on in order to get their lotions, toothpaste and other liquids on the plane.

Greenberg’s luggage doesn’t get lost because he ships them ahead via FedEx. He said that the hours he saves not waiting for a bag is worth the money.

Here are highlights of the tips Greenberg recommends to help you keep track of your bag.

  • Put a name tag inside your suitcase as well since tags on the outside can get pulled off.
  • Take a picture of your bag so you can give a better description of what it looks like.

Here are tips from me:

  • Tie a bright ribbon on your suitcase so it stands out from the others. My mom found her bag in a huge pile in a storeroom this way. If you want a high brow look, here is a link to Wishing Fish.com luggage tags featured on Oprah and In Style. They are big and bright.
  • If you are going on a smaller carrier, take you larger carry-on bag with you to the plane’s door. At this point, your bag will be hand placed into the cargo hold and will be given back to you when you step off the plane. This method also works with strollers and car seats. At least it’s worked for me.

If your bag is lost, Greenberg advises that you get the phone number for the baggage claim office at the airport so that you can contact them to check up on your bag’s location. Otherwise, you’ll get the airline’s phone tree — and we know how that goes. Lots of luck with that.

Third World Expectations in the ´First World´

by Iva Skoch on

As I was waiting at the Barcelona airport for three hours yesterday trying to make a lost baggage claim, I realized I was angrier than I usually get when the airline loses my bags. After all, this is certainly not the first time my luggage didn´t make it to the same destination as I did, or made it late or damaged. Last year alone, airlines worldwide misplaced 3.7 million bags, according to USA Today.

It was also not the first time service people in charge were rude, slow and not helpful. Yesterday was the first time, however, that the sole baggage claim service woman closed the window and announced she was taking an hour-long lunch. The line of some 45 customers did not faze her.

In India, Egypt or China I would have been bummed, but would have probably laughed it off and considered it a cultural experience. However, in Barcelona, this simply was not acceptable. Last time I checked, Spain was considered a developed country?

When one travels throughout the Western world, one assumes a certain level of service. That is, after all, why a lot of people split their vacation time between the hard, cheap, adventurous trips to underdeveloped countries and those relaxing, civilized, but expensive, trips to Western Europe or North America.

However, when you pay First World prices and get Third World service, you feel cheated. It´s all about expectations. Next time I am at the Barcelona airport, I will remember to put on my ready-for-anything hat.

This certainly puts Barcelona on my list of nightmare baggage claim cities, together with Munich and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Any additional airports to avoid in the so-called developed world?