First-time flyer question
 

Is worrying about lost luggage a real concern? I think I'm more worried about that than anything. Does it happen very often? Do most people carry-on an extra outfit or just hope for the best?<BR><BR>Also wondering what size luggage can be accepted as carry-on. I have a 20" and a 26" but I would think those would both be too big.<BR><BR>Thanks!

Kelly,<BR><BR>Always have a carry on just in case. It is not all that uncommon for a bag to be lost, especially if you have a tight connection. In terms of size, as long as the bag fits in the bag sizing device which you see while in line at the ticket counter, you will be fine. I would call your carrier to confirm the size with them. I know that there is also a weight limit, I think it is 75 pounds, after which you have to pay extra.

either your 20 or 26 should be ok for carry on (are they the kind with wheels-if so then they are fine.) i fly every week (approx. 120,000 miles a year) and my luggage has been lost twice (both times by northwest). however, a lot of that depends on the airline. some airlines are notorious for losing luggage.

Lost luggage is not the problem that some would have you think. I believe statistically the odds are something like one piece in a hundred and I believe most of those are not actually lost permanently. In perhaps a million miles of flying over 20 years I have had only one bag "lost" and it was delivered to me within about 8 hours. In general, a 20" bag is small enough to carry on, but not a 26" (depending on the other dimensions, of course). I have a 22" that just fits the typical overhead bin - which is what it was advertised as. You can always "gate check" a bag that turns out to be a bit too large when you actually get on the plane.

Oh, I also forgot what you do if you do have luggage lost. How long does it take to get back and how do they get it to you...send it to your hotel? Thanks again.

You go to the service counter near the luggage area and fill out a form. Return time depends on how long it takes them to locate it, but once that happens it gets delivered pretty quickly. There are companies that are in the business of returning luggage and I believe taxis and limo services do it also.

One note. The odds of losing your luggage get worse if you have to change planes to get to your destination. If you're on a nonstop flight, it's not worth the worry.

Another tip: If you are traveling with a friend, pack half of your stuff in their suitcase and have them pack half of their stuff in your suitcase. That way, I one suitcase gets lost, you'll have some clothes to tied you over.

You have gotten good advice from other posters. Heres more...After having my suitcase taken by someone by mistake (he left his bag, full of nice golf and tennis stuff and took mine which was a few of my clothes and mostly my infant son's stuff-diapers, formula, etc) the airlines gave me $50 to buy some things, and when they located my bag, delivered it to my desitnation (at 4 am). After that incident (many years ago) I have always carried an extra change of clothes, contact lens case and solution, eye glasses, medications and jewelry with me on board.

I've flown roughly once a month for the past 11 years, and I've never had my luggage lost. My husband flies about the same as I do, and his bags were lost twice. Both times they showed up at his hotel within about 8 hours after his arrival.

Just in addition to what others wrote...in our carry-on we always pack our toiletries and pj's (mr. klam can't sleep without them!). <BR><BR>As well, when we're travelling for business, we always wear business attire even if our meeting is the next day. This way if our stuff gets lost, we can still look respectable. Sometimes we wouldn't have time to shop for something before the meeting. This also eliminates the stress of taking time to do it, locating a store, and finding something that fits well, etc. <BR><BR>And a final really obvious note, make sure your luggage is well tagged with at least your name and a contact number. I include our itinerary in the tag (folded inward) and where we will be staying, contact number, etc.

I fly pretty often about once a month currently and have only had my luggage lost once since moving to Chicago 3 years ago. It was 2 months ago and I was on a direct flight believe it or not coming home to Chicago. What happened is at my departure city, Houston, another girl and I were checking at the same time with 2 ticketakers standing next to each other. We both had black bags and were checking in for the same flight. Somehow her tag got put on my bag and vice versa. When I arrived in Chicago and my bag didn't, I just went to the United counter and they were able to figure it out right away. The problem was that the other girl had been connecting through Chicago and gone on to another destination and my luggage went with her! They said that they could have my luggage back to me in 8-10 hours. Not a big deal for me as I was returning home so I didn't really need the bag anyway. At 10pm that night a limop from United pulled up to my house and delivered the luggage, no problem. they usally take care of you like that, I wouldn't worry.

Your 26 inch is WAY too big to be allowed as a carry on. 20 inch is fine. I always take a change of clothes and any necessary medication in a carry on.

I used to pack like Pamela, I'd put half of my clothes, and half of hubby's in each suitcase. Only problem was we lost them both....<BR><BR>I take all necessary meds, a change of underwear and a bathing suit (if I am on a beach type trip) and a cover up. That way if I lose my bags I can at least go to the beach while waiting for them to show up.

Thanks for all the advice! You've all helped a bunch.

Just be aware that the new security regulations are fairly stringent. Do NOT include tweezers or any kind of razor other than an electric one - these items will not be allowed through. If you are selected for a random security check (these are done at the gate before you board but after you have already gone through the standard security check), they'll go through you carry-on bag thoroughly. Best idea, therefore, is to pack carefully so that items will be easy to remove and repack in short order. Due to demographics (my guess but there could be other reasons) most of the passengers selected for random checks seem to be males - if you're female your chances of getting tagged are far less likely.

Just a note about random checks- I have flown 3 times in the last 4 weeks. The first time my checked luggage was randomly screened by a machine before it was allowed onto the moving luggage transporter. I was also randomly stopped at the gate. I had a backpack as a carry on. I was asked to remove my shoes. The second and third times, I was not randomly choosen for my checked luggage, and carryed on nothing but a purse but when going through the detectors I was stopped for another shoe check and my cell was swipped with a round cloth that was put into a machine. First airline was Delta, last two were ATA. I don't know what method they use to randomly choose people. I didn't notice more men than women being checked. I did notice many more people being checked by Delta. (They checked more than they let pass). I am a young woman in my early twenties, caucasian with blond hair. All three times I was similary dressed in jeans, a top and a sweater/jacket, and tennis shoes. Anyone can and will be stopped. If I can give you one tip it is to wear shoes that are easy to remove and put back on.

In addition to your home address, put your destination address on your luggage tag. This doesn't happen often, but if the tag identifying your destination airport is missing, they will know where to send your bags. Otherwise they'll end up in your home.

"Officially", the max. carry-on size is typically 14"x9"x22", or a maximum of 45" when added together. That fits in those dorky test bins every airline I have flown have at the gate. You can often get away with larger roll-on sizes, especially if you are flying in the front where the storage space:passenger ratio is better. But you run the risk of having a gate agent insist on checking anything bigger.<BR><BR>As for lost luggage, anyone that has traveled a bit has probably had bags misrouted or temporarily lost. But I think the proportion of bags that are 'lost' forever is probably pretty small. I sure wouldn't let this fear deter you or be a cause for anxiety. There are enough other real things to worry about. Try to forget all of them and have a good time.