Strategies for Securing Your Registered Baggage during Air Travel this Season
Facing the Luggage Nightmare: Strategies to Keep Your Checked Baggage Safe this Summer
Attention, vacationers! Lost luggage might ruin your much-needed getaway. Here's a tale every traveler should avoid repeating. Eamonn Turley, a seasoned traveler, recently found his laptop charger and designer sunglasses missing upon landing in New York from Dublin. He'd packed them carefully in his checked luggage, but their disappearance showed him the importance of securing checked baggage.
According to the multi-national IT company, SITA, 36 million checked bags were delayed, misrouted, stolen, or lost last year alone.[1] So, brace yourself for some important tips that'll help ensure your personal belongings remain safe this summer.
"Losing luggage while traveling is an unwanted experience many of us would prefer to avoid," says Alonso Marly, a travel agent at Skylux Travel. "Whether you're on a leisure trip or a business voyage, being separated from your possessions can be demoralizing."
This increasing problem isn't just anecdotal. SITA reports more bags were mishandled last year than ever before, largely due to lax airport security.[1]
"Theft is rampant," warns Robert Siciliano, CEO of ProtectNowLLC.com. "Even frequent business travelers have a kleptomaniac streak and can snatch an additional bag without raising any suspicion upon deplaning."
But don’t despair! Strategies to safeguard your checked luggage are gaining popularity among travelers.
Pre-Departure Precautions
Before you set off, heed the following steps:
- Pack valuables with caution. Most airline contracts of carriage explicitly exclude liability for valuable items like electronics and jewelry. Don’t risk packing them in your checked bag.[1]
- Capture images of your luggage's contents. Taking a snapshot of the exterior and interior of your bag with all your belongings visible can aid in determining missing items and expedite insurance claims or police reports.[1] Save these images to the cloud for safekeeping.[3]
- Snap a shot of your baggage tag at the airport. Having a photo of your bag with the airline-issued tag will provide evidence of your bag's destination. IT issues can arise, so it's wise to have a record of the barcode as well.[1]
Ensuring your checked luggage remains secure before boarding your flight is crucial. But there's more to it...
Feel Safer with Theft-Deterrent Luggage
For additional protection, consider investing in luggage boasting built-in security features. These might include tamper-proof zippers or hard-shell cases with clasps to safeguard your belongings. While such security measures may not deter determined thieves, they remain a potent deterrent against less persistent pilferers.[2]
"I've swapped my own zipper-closure suitcases for bags with mechanical clasps," says Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection.[2]
Unfortunately, thieves can penetrate the majority of luggage zippers using a simple pen and swiftly swipe high-value items.[2] Once the zipper is closed again, no indication of theft is left until you reach your destination.
Monitor Your Bag Like a Detective
One tactic Turley discovered was to tag his luggage as being tracked. "I've found that bags marked as being tracked receive special attention from baggage handlers," says Turley, CEO of an RV rental company.[1]
Less-than-honest baggage handlers tend to avoid tagged bags since they fear the evidence might lead them back home.[3] A notification can prove to be a powerful deterrent.[1] When possible, utilize multiple trackers to ensure your bag's safety.[1]
Always secure your bags with TSA-approved locks. Photograph bag contents before check-in. And consider using tracking devices like AirTags or LugLoc to monitor your bag’s movements.[1][2]
For those who prefer peace of mind, consider using luggage forwarding services like Luggage Forward or LugLess. These services pick up your bags from your starting point and deliver them to your destination, reducing the risk of theft or loss during transit.[1]
If you've already had your luggage pilfered, inform your airline immediately and obtain a written report. Maintain the report as it's necessary to file a claim with your credit card or travel insurance company.[2] Many travel insurance policies include coverage for lost or stolen items.[3]
Prepare yourself this summer to enjoy your trip without the stress of lost luggage. Wishful packing and minimum precautions are a thing of the past.
Take charge of your items and remember: never let thieves have an easy target!
To buffer the likelihood of pilfered items during travel, employ safeguarding strategies like capturing images of your luggage's contents before departure and using TSA-approved locks. Additionally, consider investing in theft-deterrent luggage, such as bags with tamper-proof zippers or hard-shell cases, for an added layer of security. Furthermore, marking your luggage as being tracked might discourage baggage handlers from tampering with it.
