Tag Archives: luggage

Your Bag Could Be Next

Just in time for the holiday crush the U.S. Department of Transportation released new figures revealing how many weary travelers were forced to deal with missing bag syndrome last year. According to the new report, U.S. carriers misplaced an average of 6.73 bags for every 1,000 customers in 2006, up from 6.64 bags per thousand the previous year. That’s more than four million bags that went missing last year in the U.S. alone. And more bad news—while the majority of the bags were reunited with their owners within 48 hours, thousands of pieces of luggage were permanently lost. Is your … Continue reading →

Travel Tip: Packing The Right Plastic

Toothbrush. Check. Underwear. Check. Cellphone. Check. Credit cards. Check. You’ve packed your bags for your family vacation, but before you head out to the airport you might want to make sure you packed the right plastic. Whether you are traveling to Yosemite or flying half way around the world to the rainforests of Brazil, family trips can cost a lot of money. That’s why it’s important to check your wallet before you jet off to Hong Kong, Thailand… or Topeka. Not all credit cards are created equal. For example, travel experts recommend you leave your debit card at home. At … Continue reading →

More Luggage Restrictions… Are You Ready For This?

Frequent (and occasional) fliers–are you ready for this? Apparently, applying new restrictions on carry-on luggage just wasn’t enough–now in a historic move–Continental Airlines has announced that it will no longer accept checked pieces that weigh more than 70 pounds. A recent newspaper report says the move makes Continental “the first major U.S.-based carrier to turn away bags that heavy.” The airline says the move is meant “to bring its limits in line with international partners, adding that the 70-pound limit will minimize problems for passengers making connections on international partners.” Of course, the news has Continental baggage handlers doing the … Continue reading →

Avoiding Long Check-In Lines

The uncovering of the recent alleged terror plot and implementation of new travel restrictions (see my previous blog: “Travel Alert-What You Can’t Pack In Your Carry-On“) has been a shot in the arm to some travel related businesses. Luggage forwarders, which pick up, ship and deliver bags for passengers (for a hefty price), are seeing brisk business as a result of the events in the United Kingdom. Luggage forwarders have been using the recent terror alert to advertise their services to airline passengers looking to avoid standing in long check in lines. In fact, just yesterday, luggage forwarder Bags, Inc. … Continue reading →

Fashion Fix—Bags

I have raved about the upscale luggage manufacturer Tumi in previous travel blogs; certainly my adoration for their sturdy and highly functional suitcases is well documented. So, imagine my surprise when I heard the luggage purveyor plans to enter the women’s fashion accessories market early next year. Watch out Tod’s, I guarantee Tumi will be giving you a run for your money. I love a good bag. What woman doesn’t? Currently, I am engaged in a battle with myself to resist spending more money on the latest, greatest, and cutest diaper bags. Tumi hasn’t entered the diaper bag market yet … Continue reading →

Disney’s Magical Express Service

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Today, I received my Magical Express package for my upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. Now, I no longer have to worry about my luggage or transportation to the resort when I arrive at the airport in Orlando. So, what is Magical Express, you ask? Realizing that a great deal of their traffic came from tourists flying into visit the Walt Disney World resort, the Orlando International Airport struck a deal with Walt Disney World. That deal allows the airport to coordinate directly with Walt Disney World Resorts in an effort to ensure their guests arrive without hassle to the … Continue reading →

The Land of Lost Luggage

Have you ever experienced the heart stopping agony of reaching your travel destination without your luggage? Talk about a major migraine. Statistics show that each year one in ten travelers must deal with the torment of never seeing their bags again. Airlines rarely offer satisfactory compensation for the loss, rather most passengers are made to simply deal with the fact that their luggage simply disappeared. Or has it? Did you know that much of the nation’s “lost” luggage winds up in America’s Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama? A place where the locals joke that: “The three things that are … Continue reading →

Travel Alert: New Airline Carry-On Restrictions

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I was just hoping that it would be a bit later than… now. I’m talking about the airlines tightening requirements on carry-on luggage. As a mother who routinely flies with a toddler in tow, I can tell you that any change to rules governing carry-on luggage is not good news. I cringed when I heard that Air Canada just issued a strict weight limit on passenger’s carry-on bags. The company’s reason for the move: “it’s an effort to lighten each plane’s load” as the carrier struggles against rising fuel costs. The … Continue reading →

Travel Gadget–Bag Tracker

Did you know that more than three million bags are lost in transit every year? And that many more are left in hotels, taxis, and restaurants? It’s the reason up-scale luggage manufacturer, Tumi, has created a program that helps reunite its customers with their lost Tumi bags. I first heard about the complimentary program when I was looking to purchase a new suitcase. Tumi luggage is not cheap. Prices range from $185 for a backpack to more than $700 for the large suitcase with wheels that I was eyeing. The bags are well made and come with a decent warranty. … Continue reading →

Black Bag War

When I travel from my home in Wisconsin to my parent’s home in Hilo, Hawaii, I fly in and out of smaller airports and I check my bags all the way through to my final destination. That means I avoid the “black bag war.” You know, the inevitable jostling that takes place at baggage claims around the world. It includes hordes of grumpy passengers ready to pounce on their black bag…or is it my black bag? Recently, the airline refused to check my luggage all the way through (forcing me to transfer my own luggage to a connecting flight) and … Continue reading →