Zachary

The band

The other band

Cooking stuff (temporarily inactive...)

 
Ever think your bag would be misdirected by the airlines? Sure! You've heard lots of horror stories, but they usually end with the luggage arriving on a later flight and being hand-delivered to your destination. What happens if the bag is not delayed, but really lost?

It's been 3.5 days now and the airline has no clue where my bag is, except that it was last scanned in Frankfurt. I've talked to the baggage claim folks 5 or 6 times now and the questions they've asked me made me realize I didn't pack very well.

Do you know the brand of your bag without looking? Do you remember everything you packed in each bag? If the luggage tags were ripped off, would your identification be inside somewhere obvious?

Uh....

Next time I travel, I'll be doing the following for each bag, including any carry on since they are always at risk of being checked at the gate on a full flight (like one of my "misrouted" bags).
-outside tags on all bags; I use my business card for these instead of my home address
-include a copy of to and from flight itineraries and lodging addresses with phone numbers
-attach business card to itinerary
-take a digital picture of my open luggage, or when all my items are sprawled out on the bed, so it's easier to remember what was packed
-note the brand of each bag; try to find out the airline "code" for your bag, or how to describe the bag in their terms. My lost bag is apparently a "22".
-don't pack anything that's irreplaceable!

And know:
-what are the carry-on bag restrictions? (weight, number, special bag fees)
-what are the delayed and damaged bag policies? If the value of the bag is higher than their policy, declare it...value of international traveling bags may be calculated differently.

And DON'T expect an apology from anyone!! :(

posted by hbt at 8:45 AM