Kathie

When we arrived on Kauai two weeks ago, I was sorry to see that one of the luggage tags had been stolen off my one of my suitcases. I had two nice stainless steel tags given to me when I bought my Acura. That was some years ago. I have seen airline employes peer at the tags covetously, but they fastened cleverly and no one had taken one until now. The other tag got badly bent on the flight, so I expect I don't need to worry about it getting stolen.

This incident made me recall the luggage tags I had once, very briefly. I was given a set of Boeing 777 luggage tags right after the plane came out. I was also given a couple of extras to gift to attentive flight attendants on my international flight on a new 777. The flight attendants were delighted with their gifts. When I arrived in Frankfort, I found that one of the tags had been stolen from my suitcase. When I returned home, the other tag was stolen from the other bag. So those tags lasted just one trip.

I was pleased to return home to my Million Miler kit and a new luggage tag... I wonder if it is a coveted item among airline employees.

Anyone else have stories of luggage tags too good to remain on their baggage?

J62

Did you ever think that maybe it just got ripped off somehow by accident, not a willful theft?

NoFlyZone

I still have my Million Miler tags after about 4 years. Of course, I never use them on checked bags!

Rastaguytoday

I can think of a lot of things I'd rather covet than a pair of luggage tags.

AA Million Miler.

suze

I don't travel with fancy suitcases or luggage tags. That way there's nothing to worry about. I think putting anything really nice thru checked baggage is simply asking for trouble.

J62

From the lost tablets..

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's luggage tag.

Kathie

J62, I've certainly lost a number of luggage tags over the years, these two are the only ones I believe were stolen.

After losing the 777 tags, the person who gave them to me laughed and said that there are plenty of airline employes who collect such luggage tags, and Boeing employees with the tags expect them to disappear from their luggage quickly.

The Acura tags were unusual and a little flashy, I can see why they attracted the attention of baggage handlers. I think they only lasted as long as they did (7 or 8 years) because the stainless steel cables are connected in a clever way that makes them not easy to remove quickly - even if you know how they attach..

I'm not making a complaint here, I don't worry about losing luggage tags, but I thought this was an interesting story and wondered if others had similar stories.

NoFly, your comment makes me think I should use my new million mile tag on my carry on.

AskOksena

Thanks Kathie, for the topic matter; brings back a bit of humour involving, not sticky fingered humans, but rather hard working yaks in Nepal and Tibet. (Back in the 1980s and 90s, I was involved with some wonderful, privately organized mountaineering expeditions in those countries.) Some of my climbing buddies had neglected to remove some of their fancy luggage tags from their big kits, and by the time we had reached various base camps in preparation for the climbing to come, well, some of those tags had been rather decimated or lost from the rigours of being transported by those lovable creatures. Fine times in the Himalaya.

Have yet to lose or endure a damaged luggage tag, perhaps because I haven't checked a bag for business/leisure since those climbing times. For my carry-on, I remain extremely partial and sentimental to the first Singapore Airlines luggage tag sent out to honour my initial attainment of PPS status with SQ. (I'm looking at her right now as I type this missive from Changi airport in our fine home of Singapore; thankfully just a quick over-night business trip this week.)

Thanks again for the opening post Kathie and hope all goes well with your future UA flights. For various professional and personal reasons, almost all of my foreseeable business trip flights are with SQ. Will say, that UA usually treated me kindly for business travel (I'm rather easy to please) and like 'NoFly', upon reaching the UA million mile threshold a few years back, United did post some luggage tags to me. (They're safe in a drawer, safe from yaks.)

A good week of flights to all,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

simpsonc510

I've been stocking up on some very clever luggage tags in BKK. When I attach them to my bags, I also put them on a heavy plastic/nylon tie strip. Hope to keep them! So far so good. Knock on wood. Someone would need to have a knife or box cutters or scissors to remove these tags! (I also have my MM tag on my check bag)

Kathie

Hello AO, love the story of the yaks eating the luggage tags!

eliztravels

Oh, now I get it. The yaks ATE the tags. I thought they were collecting them.

Cranachin

After a trip a few moths ago I was unpacking my checked bag and discovered SOMEONE ELSE'S luggage tag in the outside pocket!

It was the entire tag and strap, both made of plastic.

The owner's home city was several hundred miles from the origin city of my flight and well over 1,000 miles from my connecting city.

How/why I ended up with it, I have no idea. The airline showed absolutely no interest in reuniting it with its owner.

MissGreen

I had some fancy tags made. One didn't make it to my first destination. Must of gotten ripped off. I never considered they were stolen.

tenthumbs

It never crossed my mind that anyone would steal my luggage tags......I always assumed they were torn off, much like the wheels, zipper pulls, and handles have been.