Lost Luggage
by Wendy VanHatten
Your trip to England started out great. Your flight has landed and you’re patiently waiting by the baggage carousel watching all the bags go around, eager to get a start on your vacation. But, yours doesn’t make it.
What do you do?
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, for every 1,000 passengers, three pieces of luggage are reported delayed, damaged, or completely lost.
If your airline sends your bag to parts unknown, you’ll first need to get in contact with the lost-baggage department, which you can usually find close to the luggage carousels. There, you will be able to file a claim. They will ask for a drop-off address of where you are staying so they can deliver your luggage when it arrives. However, if you’re traveling around and not staying in one spot, you’ll have to let them know that.
What if you’re in a foreign country with nothing but the clothes on your back? You’ll have to purchase things in order to get by. It could be a couple of days before your luggage catches up with you.
Something you could have done to avoid being without things you really need is to pack necessities like a toothbrush, a few essential travel-sized toiletries, and a change of underwear in your carry-on. You can also pack a couple of clothing items in your travel companion’s bag, just in case.
Think about what you should take with you before you pack everything in your checked bag.
