Airlines lose 25 million bags per year.

Airlines lose 25 million bags per year. Wow. 1 in 100 passengers globally will lose at least one of their bags. 

I have some tips that have greatly reduced the amount of bags that I have lost. 

My list is not all inclusive, I am merely telling you what works for me. 

1. Don't jam your bag too full. It heightens the liklihood that you will have a luggage failure. Those zippers and closures are meant to close the suitcase, not hold it like a pressurized capsule. I have seen MANY times as I wait for my luggage, the sad little plastic tubs containing pieces and items from the interior of someone's suitcase. 
2. Put labels in everything and on everything. Each pocket, throw a business card in. Does it have a number you can be reached at both where you are going to and where you are coming from? I write the flight numbers and itinerary down in a document, print it out, and put it in the top of all of the bags. 
3. Every individual bag inside your bag should also be labeled. A friend of mine who used to work in cargo told me that one time, a set of suitcases popped open, and a camera came tumbling out. But which of the suitcases did it come from? Easy to determine. The owner had put a luggage tag on the camera case. 
4. Get to the airport early. Running late? That luggage has to be checked, inspected, loaded onto some cargo thing, and then loaded onto the plane. There may be some steps that I do not even know about, too. But, be aware. All of that stuff takes time. 
5. Check all of the parts of your suitcase. Zippers or closures still work? Wheels still turn? Handles and all still hold? I found out in China that I brought the wrong suitcase with me when the wheel platform collapsed. Luckily, I knew about it before we boarded the plane, and I was able to buy a new one. 
6. Make sure that the information on your luggage tag (your contact information) is CURRENT and correct. My mom had a tag with a phone number and address on the tag....from over 20 years ago. It only takes a second to update. 
7. This is a big one....remove ALL of the old airline issued city/airport code travel tags when you get home. Yes. it may make you feel cool to see all of the hang tags from the places that you have been, but, to a baggage handler, they don't have time to sort through those tags and see which one corresponds to the trip that you are on.

If you DO lose your luggage, don't lose your cool. The people who deal with lost luggage deal with hateful people all day long. Keeping your cool will go a long way. Here is what I am told are some things that are asked of passengers who lose their bags. (Learn these things about yours!) : 

• What color is your bag? 
• What size is your bag? 
• What are some of the contents of your bag? 
• Who is the manufacturer of the bag? 
• Is there anything distinctive about your bag? 
• Are there any medications in your bag?

Remember, don't get huffy if you lose your bag. The poor agent at the desk is having a hard enough time already. Becoming angry is not going to get your bag found!