Suppose you lost 10,000 valuables every day of the year that were entrusted to you by your PAYING customers? How long would you be in business? Well this is what is happening every 24 hours at airports around the globe. Here in the United States, the worst carrier was US Airways who recorded 9.62 lost baggage claims for every thousand passengers who flew their planes in 2006. Delta Airlines, which had an even higher 7.09 complaints, lost an amazing 573,419 bags in 2005. With that said, I have a few questions. With bar-coding universally used on luggage tags, how can this still be happening and what are these two carriers doing to better their numbers? Well, they claim they are working on the problem but now Delta is bankrupt and has no money for improvements and US Air just wants to spend its money to buy the struggling Delta Airline. How will that help the traveler? You tell me.

Because of this less than stellar baggage handling record, airline users should consider the options. The obvious answer is to NEVER check a bag. If you have to bring golf bags or skis, consider renting them at the other end. Otherwise, do what my wife and I do. Carry-on your bags. We cruise 3 to 4 times a year on 7 day cruises. We also go on week-long vacations and still manage to pack everything we need in our carry-on. We also use a small tote that contains some books, MP3 players and space for a few souvenirs. The idea of keeping your bags with you at all times is appealing on many levels.

If you have connecting flights, the bag is still in your possession. You don’t have to wonder if it’s on it’s way to Brazil, especially if you’re headed for Boston. Also, baggage handlers won’t be drop kicking it across the entire length of the terminal. At the arrival point, you won’t be wasting time waiting at the carousel and jostling with hundreds of other surly travelers jockeying for the best position. You also won’t have to have five different colored ribbons on your handle so you can recognize your generic black bag at the other end. So, how do we use just one small bag per person, especially my wife?

We have a plan. Toiletries are reduced to the basics. We keep the liquids in the separate tote in the clear, one quart baggy, as specified by the TSA for placing on the conveyor belt. Clothes are based on the weather and we wear the same things more than once, Shoes are chosen for comfort only. We wear the largest shoes on the flight to take up less room. My wife rolls her clothes. I have an expandable bag that can give me an extra inch and a half if needed. I chose my bag based on travel reviews and the construction. Even just placing it in the overhead compartment, I wanted it to last. My criteria was: light-weight, heavy-duty fabric, multiple exterior pockets, good strong wheels and handle, and an industrial zipper. I also chose bright orange, which I’ll explain.

When traveling to Barcelona via British Airlines, they forced us to check our bags because it couldn’t weigh more than 5 pounds full. That’s almost impossible so they check ALL bags automatically, except handbags. So, for those times, I went with an odd-colored bag that I can easily recognize. My wife has different shaped and colored tags that aid her when looking for her green bag. Either way, we are covered. Finally, I went to a discounter and spent less than $75 for a bag that should last at least 3 years. If not, I can buy another cheaply. In summary, do everything possible to use carry-on luggage and be ruthless when packing. Only bring essentials and you’ll be happier knowing that your bag will arrive with you on that next trip. Or else look forward to becoming a statistic and having your vacation ruined by a bag that was sent to Paris, Texas instead of Paris, France.

Jeffrey Hauser
http://www.poweradbook.com