How to Secure Your Luggage for a Flight

Embark on a worry-free flight with the knowledge that the contents of your luggage - and the luggage itself - are safe.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ribbons
• Backpack Lock
• Carry-on Bags
• Luggage Locks
• Luggage Sets
• Luggage Tags
• Insurance
• Paper And Pencils
• Backpacks

1. Make a list of the contents in your bags and keep it with you.

2. Pack a copy of your itinerary, including your destination, business address and emergency contact information, in your suitcase.

3. Lock your luggage.

4. Rip off old luggage and airline tags to avoid potential confusion.

5. Tag your luggage inside and out. The tags should include the following information: name, business address and telephone number.

6. Tie a distinctive ribbon around the handles of your luggage or decorate it in a way that provides quick identification.

7. Pack valuables, such as jewelry, medication, cellular phones and travel documents, in your carry-on luggage.

8. Remove any dangling straps that might catch and tear from all the bags you plan to check. Cinch straps of a backpack tightly so they don't get torn during transport.

9. Remember to get for a claim stub for every checked bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Check in for your flight at the proper time. If you check in too early or too late, your bags may reach your destination at a different time than you do.
• Check to see if your homeowner's or travel insurance covers luggage. If not, ask a ticket agent about purchasing excess valuation coverage, which increases the airline's liability for lost or mishandled luggage.
• If you are checking a soft piece of luggage, make sure the airline representative puts it into a large plastic bag for protection.
• Avoid taking luggage that looks expensive (a temptation for thieves) or frail (an excuse for airlines not to reimburse you for damaged luggage.)

on 11/22/2005 On Friday 27 May 2005 an Australian, 27 year old Shapelle Corby was sentenced to 20 years jail in Indonesia. It is now accepted in Australia that some baggage handlers working at airports in Australia were running a local drug smuggling ring. Shapelle Corby is believed to be an innocent victim of this. Someone placed a large amount of drugs in one of her checked on items. Read about it, and make up your own minds, but I recommend that you secure your checked in luggage by shrink wrapping it and locking it securely. Shrink wrapping is available at most major Australian airports.

on 11/22/2005 For piece of mind when checking-in your luggage, purchase a lock that has the TSA symbol on it (found at most travel shops). This lock allows you to lock your luggage, and the TSA has a special key to unlock it if necessary (without having to break it). The lock comes with an indicator to let you know that the TSA has opened your luggage.

on 11/22/2005 It's a good idea to lock your luggage once you've reached your destination. However, when you check luggage at the airport, be sure to leave it unlocked. Otherwise, airport security may have to break your lock to inspect it.

on 11/22/2005 As a safety measure when traveling overseas, avoid American flag decals, luggage tags, and similar items on your bags. We tend to draw enough attention to ourselves without any extra advertising that we're Americans.

on 11/22/2005 Be sure to pack a photocopy of your passport. If you lose the original, it will make getting a replacement much easier.