Am changing planes in Atlanta on a flight to Liberia, Costa Rica. I understand chances of lost luggage has increased and would like some advice. Should I just take enough to carry on the plane with me and carry it around between flights in Atlanta or take a chance on checking it through? Anyone had an experience with this lately?

Good question. I always carry a bathing suit and shorts with me in a large purse-like carry-on in case luggage gets lost. Now with the new regulations, I don't know what to do. Does it delay getting through?

The biggest delay is caused by people who aren't informed about what can be brought on. They change the list frequently these days. When we went to CR in Aug we couldn't carry any liquids etc on so we just checked a bag in and left some of the things with a friend down there for next time. We had a lot of gifts for people and we weren't going to be on any small planes that trip. We had no problem.

Now with the new 3-1-1 list we probably will just have carry on again. I worry about luggage being lost. Friends we were traveling with to Portugal lost one of their bags. It finally arrived at the hotel just in time for our return home. I have worried about it ever since.

Never got into a full grocery store in Guatemala so will have to carry most of what we need with us when we go there in Feb. Costa Rica has many every day products that you will find in the US. If you are traveling with another person you can split the items into a bag for each of you and you should be able to carry just about anything you will need.. they will just have to be smaller amounts.

Have your zip lock bag on top because it will have to be pulled out and scanned seperately if you do carry on.

Thank you. I have read all information from the airline about what is allowed. Got the 3-1-1 all done and easily accessible. Also, will carry one bag to put overhead and another that my backpack will fit in nicely and go under the seat. Just don't trust a checked bag getting on the plane with me in Atlanta plus we only have a little over an hour lay over. Don't you just hate people like me who have to stand in the aisle getting their baggage down?

I just LOVE getting off a plane with my carry-on and heading straight to my destination or to customs without the lines and the wait of checked luggage - smart choice.

Couple of suggestions if you check bags in ...

* split your clothes between bags so if one bag is lost or delayed you still have half your clothes. Ditto with other essentials, as possible.

* inside each bag put a note with your name, flight details and contact info in CR -- we lost a bag once without any ID info inside (all the ID tags were ripped off by the luggage mover monster along with the routing bar cod) and it took weeks for them to figure out who it belonged to.

* if you have a digital camera take photos of your bags and write on the photo the exact dimensions and other ID info and bring copies of these photos with you in carry-on ... handing them a photo with details like 13x19x22" with "Eddie Bauer" on the front is better than telling them "it was about this wide and this high (as you wave your hands) and black with wheels". Yeah, that narrowed it down to 20,000 or so just like it ...

Good luck! We only lost one bag one time but it created a lot of hassles.

Bill

Don't hate you! I completely understand and prefer to carry on whenever possible as well. I hate waiting for bags when I arrive in the international part of an airport. It is enough of a pain as it is.

I have taken five trips to various places this year. In one instance our luggage was lost and returned in about 24 hours. In my experience our luggage has been lost every four to five trips. It has only been lost permanently one time in all our travels. Yesterday we came back from a trip in which we decided to just take carry-on. It made things so much easier I think that is the way we will do it most of the time. Packing really light is essential however...

I certainly wouldn't guaranty this, but just three weeks ago we made a connection in Atlanta on the way to Barbados. The original connect time was 45 minutes, which I thought was impossible, but a slight delay dwindled our connect to a mere 30 minutes. To add worry, we were on Delta Airlines which has probably the worst record for lost luggage and missed or cancelled flight. We connected from Terminal B to Terminal E. Amazingly our luggage all made the flight. No one was more surprised than me to see my lime green duffels sitting in a row at the Barbados arrival terminal. I hope that makes you feel better. However, having said all that...I did have a swimsuit, sandals, shorts, my snorkel mask with vision correction and all essentials with me in a carry-on <i>just in case</i>.

For sure it is a good idea to pack some essentials in a carry on. My husband and I have actually gotten all into a bag each for carry on so I am feeling much better. Now, I just hope it is not 18 miles between terminals. Thanks to you all.

Well the good news is that Atlanta airport has a good train system between terminals, but it can still be a long hike down the corridors. Check the ATL on-line airport maps for some idea of which terminals your airlines will use for arrival and departure, then plot your course. It always helps to know where you're going in advance.