How does baggage check work? Is it reliable? Is it a pain?

Question

I've never flown before and will fly from Minneapolis to Tucson in a week. I'm leery to let any of my baggage out of my sight, but don't think I'll be able to fit enough clothes for three days into one single backpack. Is it a pain or time-consuming to use the baggage check? Is it pretty easy to find your stuff? What if you have to change planes? Is it easy enough to find your baggage in 50 minutes and get on your new plane?

Answer 1

If you check luggage and you have to change planes, the airline will trasnfer it between planes - you don't have to pick it up and re-check it. I have flown several hundred times in the past 4 years and have had my luggage get lost 3 times (which happened to be the only three times I have ever flown United Airlines. I attribute that to the fact that United Airlines is terrible). My luggage was found each time (on average about 3 days later).

In general though, it's not a hassle to check luggage. I do it all the time and except when flying United, I've never had a problem. When you land at your final destination, you go to baggage claim, find out which baggage claim area your flight's bags will be at (usually they're numbered) and then you pick up your bag when you see it. It's pretty east Probably 99% of the time my bags arrive within 10-15 minutes of landing. And if you're changing planes, it actually might be easier to check bags because you don't have to carry your bag through the airport.

Answer 2

I know that this will be your first time flying and it will be fun. What I will do if I was you is place something on your luggage that you can easily spot because there is alot of bags that is the same. Put a ribbon or even draw some stuff on your bags. Also you can go to Wal-Mart or the shops that is there at the airport (but Wal-Mart will be cheaper) and buy you a TSA lock and lock your bags. Here is a site so that you will have an idea of what to look for, it will say something like TSA approve. Look for the emblem. I also included one other site called a 3-1-1 that I found helpful for you. Good luck.

Answer 3

There are plenty of people who cram everything they own into a carry-on bag and then have to schlep it through the airport, through security, onto the plane, and try to stuff it into the overhead compartment. If it does not fit, it will be checked and put into baggage.

Take a larger suitcase, fold up your clothes neatly so you will not look like a bum, check the suitcase when you present yourself to the ticket counter for check-in. The bag will get to Tucson when you do and you do not have to take it with you when you change planes. It is done automatically.

My suggestion is to tie a bright colored ribbon around the handle of your suitcase so you will not be confused by others that look alike when you get to Tucson and go to the baggage claim.