Step one: Be on time.

retard a bag always feels like a roll of the dice , but if you have n’t heard , it’seven worse than usualright now . There ’s a real possibility that your bag could get lost or damaged , and no matter how adaptable you are , a baggage mishap can absolutely jump plans . You ’ll surely have to spend some clock time on the earpiece with the airline , and if your base ’s gone missing , you ’ll also give precious vacation hour as you shop for the necessities you ca n’t live without . The best direction to dodge this concern ? Try not to rent your luggage get lost or damaged in the first piazza — but of class that ’s easier said than done .

There are two approaches you may take to decrease the likelihood that your belongings will ( credibly temporarily ) go away into the ether or take a beating en route . The first one is a no - brainer : Do n’t check up on a bag . The 2nd ? Check a suitcase , but with precautions .

5 Excellent Carry-Ons for Smartly Stashing Your Stuff

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accord to Zachary Phillips , a fitness coach who act upon part - time as a incline agentive role at Austin - Bergstrom International Airport , some bag are safer to check than others .

“ The best luggage to journey with is the rectangular , severe plastic or metal suitcase with four spinner bike , ” he advises . “ Get one that is caliber because these wheels can get around off some of the lesser tone cases . ” This type of suitcase is easy for baggage handler to roll and stack , which intend your luggage should have a fluid , gentle journey . If adorn in in high spirits - character baggage get to you nice , you might need to go with a brand like Travelpro , whichoffers a warrantythat treat some air hose - bring down wrong to your bag .

Phillips suggests deflect two - pedal suitcases , since they do n’t roll on their own and therefore “ get heaved down the fuselage and the dish and contents are potential to get damaged . ” He also order you should guide clear of back pack , duffel bag , and “ anything with a crew of straps and zip fastener ” because it ’s quite common for traveler to draw a blank to fully fasten these . Bags like these are put away from place to place because they do n’t have wheels , and “ stuff get out of bags with outside air pocket all the time . ”

How to avoid losing your luggage

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It can also help oneself to have more than one luggage rag if you want your suitcase to be safety returned to you . “ The recording label the airline stick to the hold of suitcase is usually going to stay but newspaper and leather tags get rive off on a regular basis . I use a nice leather pocketbook rag as well as the paper one the airway give out . ”

baggage trackers likeApple AirTagscan help you find your bag in a pinch , but be aware that these detail only forge if they stay with your bag . Phillips notes that these sometimes get rip off in transportation system , so he would n’t necessarily commend using them . Still , it ’s an option if you ’re really worried about something going wrong .

Beyond shoppable solutions , Phillips advise that “ getting your purse checked in early on and bear Priority status with the airway are the two best ways to assure your bag gets on . ” While there ’s no reason to check your bag super early , you ’ll want to get it discipline more than half an hour before burlesque . Phillips observe that “ usually , we dilute the bags that have been checked about 30 minutes prior to exit . If a bag add up in after that someone must fly the coop it out to the plane and that ordinarily chance but not 100 % of the fourth dimension . ”

5 Excellent Carry-Ons for Smartly Stashing Your Stuff

The verity is , there ’s no fool - test copy elbow room toavoid lose or damaged luggage on a flight of steps . It ’s best to keep really of import item in your carry - on or personal point bag that you ’ll bring on the plane with you , rather than letting them end up in the cargo handle . Always calculate into the carry - on and personal item requirement from your specific airline to ensure your bag will qualify . And know that if you do choose to carry your item onto the plane , they ’re commonly your responsibility , rather than the airline ’s , so be heedful with your own belongings .

Oh , and if you do decide to check a bag?Consider flying with Allegiant .

24% of Luggage Was ‘Mishandled’ by Airlines Last Year, According to a Report

Staffing shortages contributed to this.

24% of Luggage Was ‘Mishandled’ by Airlines Last Year, According to a Report