curious

Just had to add this. It seems that many of you are incredibly lucky, everyone in my family has had their luggage lost or damaged at least once. While we do travel often, it is such a nightmare to fill out claim forms, go without belongings and be inconvenienced , that I will do anything in my power not to let my bag out of sight. Burned once shame on you, burned twice shame on me! Believe me, if I had any confidence in the airlines ability to manage my luggage, I would check it. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.

Susan

My husband and I have changed our "attitude" about carry-ons. Although, we never felt as strongly as a couple of these posters, we did frown on those with carry-ons larger than brief cases. However, after two bad experiences with luggage arriving late, we will be traveling to Italy with only carry-ons this November. We each have a 21" roll-on, I have a "large" purse, and my husband also has a camera bag. Just trying to eliminate as much stress in the trip as possible. We will be very careful not to bruise anyone while putting them in the overhead compartment. <BR> <BR>

Celia

Ann, the biggest thing to consider in making the decision to check or not is whether the flight is non-stop. If you have only one flight from where you start to where you finish, there is almost no chance your bags will be lost. The more times you change planes, the greater the chance of losing your luggage. <BR> <BR>Also, you can minimize the chance of loss by knowing the airport code of the place you're going, and looking to see that the gate agent puts the right label on your bag. Another good idea is to put your foreign itinerary on a sheet of paper INSIDE your bag, in case the outer label is lost. That way there's a chance it will find you, rather than going to baggage heaven. <BR> <BR>In the last 20 years or so, my luggage has been lost 2 or 3 times (usually on my way HOME, thank goodness!), but even so, I'd lots rather check it than have to hassle with it on the plane.

Wesley

Well, looks like I am not the only one that hate these people that insist on dragging all their worldly possessions when flying. I have to agree with the above posters that these people are nothing but arrogant, inconsiderate pigs that care nothing about the feelings/needs of others. No doubt they are same ones that go to Europe and then piss and moan because no one speaks English and the food tastes funny. These people need to get a life and best of all, STAY OFF OF ANY AIRPLANE I AM ON. YOU ALL ARE PIGGISH SLUGS.

I HATE CARRY ONS

I too hate the snooty arses that insist on carrying on these massive satchels and then proceed to use up all the overhead space. Truly arrogant and selfish people.

curious

Yes, it's a shame that those who take carry-ons aren't as nice and considerate as the posters calling them Pigs, Slugs and Arses and telling them they smell and to stay off their damn planes!

Rex

My worst experience with a lost bag (and it still wasn't that bad) - - was indeed, on a non-stop flight - - from Stansted to Milan Linate. Thirteen of us checked our bags together. One did not get hers. Got it three days later (but we were a moving target - - a BAD idea!) in Florence (after we had already been to Venice - - didn't even try to get it sent there). <BR> <BR>So, non-stop is no certain protection. <BR>

Capo

Just in case your checked baggage were to get lost, pack all your essentials in your carry-on bag and the rest in your checked baggage. <BR> <BR>In all the flying I've done, I've never had checked baggage lost. Misrouted once or twice, but never lost.

Christina

One of the few times my bag was lost was also a nonstop flight from US to CDG. The reason is that any bags coming off a large flight like that have to be directed somewhere -- some go out to the baggage claim and others get put aside to be transferred to somewhere else. They can make mistakes and put your bags in the area to be transferred rather than out on the conveyor belt (that's what they did with mine even though the tags were correct). Luckily, they found them after about 2 hours and they were not actually put on another plane. So, nonstop helps of course but unless no bags on that plane are going anywhere else, there is still a more than nonzero chance of getting misplaced. Anyway, I have a std 21" rollon and frequently they don't allow that on either, saying it's too big. It might be okay if nothing were put in the outside pocket and it were underpacked, otherwise it kind of bulges (which is what you do when you try to get everything into one bag) and some airlines have not allowed it as a carryon while others would when packed about the same (like Air Canada randomly--would allow it on going one way, would not allow it coming back, they had those size check things as I recall and I think it's almost impossible to pass them unless your bag is really only a 20" one).

Mel

After years of successful trips (where my baggage arrived with me), it took only ONE for me to determine not to check unless I someday get to go around the world (not likely). British Airways lost the large bag for SIX DAYS and it was a true nightmare getting it back at all (having said that, I'm still a loyal BA flyer--for a variety of reasons). They lost TWO bags on the return--same trip. We now each take a smallish leather duffle and one bookbag-type backpack. Our duffles fit easily into the overhead. I also get really annoyed at the people who bring their entire closet onto the plane then jostle and push the rest of us around as they stuff those things in the overhead. Our solution was to internalize it--we take much less, drop laundry off one morning and pick it up that night and have managed much better than the old days when we took too much. From stepping off the plane, passing customs and strolling past the carousels and out the door to unpacking less stuff at the hotels to fewer decisions about what to wear each day... the wandering life is better than ever!