What could be creative solutions to avoid lost baggage during traveling?

Question

We all travel and at destinations we find out that our luggage didnt arrive with us. What could done to avoid that? Need suggestions.
Thank you

Answer 1

Check In On Time -
An average of 75% of lost luggage is lost or delayed due to passengers checking in for their flight at the last minute. The airlines recommend that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to the flight's departure for domestic flights and three hours prior to the flight's departure for international flights.

Voluntary Bumping -
Airlines routinely overbook flights. When a flight is overbooked the airline may ask for volunteers to get "bumped" to the next available flight. Passengers should avoid taking another flight at all costs as changing airplanes at the last minute will require passengers to travel on a different flight from their luggage and makes identifying the passenger's actual flight even more difficult.

Luggage Tags -
Each piece of luggage must be properly marked with clearly identifiable tags. Luggage that is separated from other checked luggage will be considered undeliverable without any identifiable tags. Sealed, water proof tags should be securely attached and include the passenger's name and complete address.

Overbooked Flights -
Avoid overbooked flights especially during holiday travel times.

source :
http://www.starmoo.com/content/view/84/9/

regards,
Philip T

Answer 2

Maybe I am extremely fortunate but I have flown about 40 times with baggage and never lost a thing. By the way, why do we say we "buy luggage" but we "claim baggage" and never the reverse?

You could do what one woman on my last flight from Shanghai to San Franciso did and take 4 carry on bags. She had an overhead bin all to herself. I can never get away with such an antic but many other people take 3 or 4 carry on bags.

But maybe your meaning is how to identify your bags. You could tie a colorful scarf on the handles. Or paint them with rainbow stripes. Nothing says "Fade into the background" like navy blue American Tourister.

If you mean the airline is putting your baggage on the wrong plane, there's nothing for you to do. I once checked my baggage 10 minutes before the flight time and it didn't get on the plane but it was on the next L.A. to San Francisco plane two hours later. I just had to wait for it.

Answer 3

Ship your baggage out ahead of your departure on FedEx, UPS or DHL.
In lieu of that, make sure a copy of your flight ittinerary is in your bag and that you have id tags on all bags. Check in the bags in plenty of time in case they need to be examined or there is some back up in baggage processing. Allow plenty of time for connections, some airline scheduled connection times for passengers do not work for baggage especially if the flight is running even a few minutes late.

Answer 4

Tape a big destination sign to all sides and put one inside as well. I always put the destination on the luggage tags rather than my home address, but I include my cell phone number.

Answer 5

The most important thing to remember is to remove all luggage tags from any previous flights.

Answer 6

Chain your luggage to your person.

Answer 7

Yeah, no baggage

Answer 8

you can put your name and cell phone or home phone number on it