Your luggage may have travelled through a maze of conveyor belts and baggage carts between the time you checked it in and the time you claim it at your destination; while airborne, baggage may tumble around the cargo compartment if the airline hits rough air.

To be fair to the airlines, though, only a small percentage of bags are damaged or lost. Your bags will most likely be among the ones that arrive safely if you use common sense when packing and take other safeguards.


Packing



To avoid complications, you can pack. The following items should never be placed in a bag that will be checked into the cargo compartment:

Cash, credit cards, jewellery, and cameras are examples of little valuables.

  • Medicine, keys, passport, travel vouchers, and business paperwork are all essential goods.

Manuscripts and heirlooms are examples of irreplaceable objects.

  • Items that are fragile include eyeglasses and glass.Containers, Liquids

Such items should be carried on your person or packed in a carry-on bag that fits under the seat. Remember that keeping your valuables with you is the only way to ensure that they are not destroyed or misplaced. Your bag may be delayed for a day or two even if it is not lost. Perishables should not be packed in a checked bag since they may spoil if the flight is delayed. It’s a good idea to pack stuff you’ll need for the first 24 hours in a carry-on bag (e.g. toiletries, a change of underwear).

Check with the airline to see if there are any restrictions on the size, weight, or number of carry-on items you can bring. (A single federal standard does not exist.) Check all of your flights if you’re flying with more than one airline. Inquire about your flight’s restrictions; different planes have different restrictions. Don’t assume that carry-on garment bags will have unlimited closet space; some may need to be examined.

Keep the restrictions in mind if you want to go shopping at your destination and bring your items aboard as carry-on luggage. Carry the receipts separately if you check these purchases; they may be required for a claim if the product is stolen or damaged. Put nothing in your carry-on bag that could be deemed a weapon (scissors, for example).