| More than 1 million pieces of luggage were lost, | | | | Other ways you can help yourself are to book a |
| damaged, delayed or pilfered by U.S. airlines from | | | | direct flight. Since this is usually not an option, |
| May to July, 2007. According to the Bureau of | | | | choose flights that have at least an hour between |
| Transportation Statistics, June and July 2007 were | | | | connections. Because of the increase in baggage |
| ranked among the worst months for mishandled | | | | problems, some people are even shipping their |
| baggage in 20 years. And unfortunately, this | | | | baggage to their destination while bringing a small |
| number has been increasing over the past 5 | | | | carry-on bag on the plane. This option even saves |
| years. In 2002, 3.84 reports of mishandled bags | | | | you time (typically 30 minutes) as you don't have |
| were filed per 1,000 passengers. In July 2007, this | | | | to wait at the airport for your checked bags to |
| figure was 7.93. | | | | arrive. |
| Many jobs were slashed after the industry's | | | | Make sure you obey the size and packaging |
| historic downturn a few years ago, and | | | | requirements for personal hygiene products and |
| restrictions on gels and liquids in 2006 have caused | | | | medications, and anything that looks like a weapon |
| a big increase in the number of checked bags. | | | | is prohibited. Everything in your carry-on must be |
| This leaves more bags to be checked with fewer | | | | searchable. If you are searched, gift wrapped |
| employees. Add to this the major carriers' reliance | | | | items will definitely be opened. Take metal items |
| on hubs. Connecting flights increase the probability | | | | such as keys, phones, pagers, PDAs (personal |
| of luggage being misplaced or not making the | | | | digital assistants), and loose change out of your |
| next flight in time either. | | | | pockets. Put these in your carry-on, or in a plastic |
| With carriers buying smaller planes for the regional | | | | bag before you get into the security line. This |
| market, there have been more baggage | | | | keeps lines moving and you wind up having a |
| limitations due to weight restrictions. The airline | | | | better experience. Avoid wearing anything that |
| industry says the baggage problem is due mostly | | | | contains metal, such as clothing, jewelry or other |
| to delays caused by weather and an outdated air | | | | accessories such as heavy jewelry, clothing with |
| traffic control system. Analysts are saying that | | | | metal buttons or snaps, belt buckles or under-wire |
| the problem is only going to get worse too, | | | | bras. You may be additionally screened because |
| especially during the holiday travel season. | | | | of hidden items such as body piercings, which will |
| What can you do to protect yourself? | | | | cause the metal detector to go off. |
| Buying travel insurance is your best option. | | | | Pack your coats and jackets in your baggage |
| Preferred travel insurance policies not only help | | | | when possible. All coats and jackets that you are |
| you with lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, missed | | | | carrying must go through the X-ray machine for |
| a flight, lost passports, etc., but also have an | | | | inspection. If you choose to wear an outer coat |
| emergency "911" travel emergency service for | | | | or jacket to the checkpoint, you will need to |
| emergency medical assistance, last-minute or | | | | either pack it in your carry-on baggage or put it in |
| emergency travel and flight changes, lost luggage | | | | one of the bins that are provided. |
| tracking, pre-trip travel advice and more. | | | | |