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Travel Writers Share Lost Luggage Tips
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 12:00AM Posted by Nancy D. Brown
Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown Finds Lost LuggageWith a heavy heart, I waited for the baggage claim carousel at O'Hare Airport to circle one last time. Surely my duffel bag would magically appear momentarily. Afterall, this was a non-stop United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Chicago. I had checked my bag in two hours early. How could this be happening to me, and at 1:30 in the morning?
Sadly, I admitted defeat and went over to the steel machine where I was to punch in my luggage identification number and wait for it to spit out the delayed baggage report receipt. Dejectedly clutching my laptop computer, I shuffled off to find the airport shuttle to the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. The nice folks at the front desk hooked me up with some toiletries and I went to bed confident that my bag would be delivered before noon checkout.
As is the case of a lodging editor, I was moving on to review another hotel property the next day. Still no bag. After calling United Airlines 800 number, I was directed to their on-line site (which was down) to check the status of my bag. I checked into the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place and was greeted with a friendly and sympathetic staff. A well-stocked toiletry bag was provided to me, but, alas, no duffel bag.
Eventually, I was reunited with my bag, but not before having to purchase a pair of dress pants and no-iron shirt for my BlogHer Travel Panel speaking engagement. I also need to send a shout out to Mary Kay Cosmetics and Public Relations Account Supervisor Jill Kleiner of Coyne. Her agency overnight Federal Expressed their entire make up line to me while I was staying at the Sheraton Hotel. And yes, Cat Lincoln of CleverGirls Collective saved the day when she slipped me some vital Yummie Tummie shapewear undergarments.
Rather than rant and rave, I'd like to offer some lost luggage travel tips from professional travel writers if an airline loses your luggage.
Jennifer Leo: Los Angeles Times Travel Blog and Editor of Sand in My Bra series
Wendy Perrin: Conde Nast Traveler's Consumer News Editor and Perrin Post blogger
Sean Keener: Co-Founder of the BootsnAll Travel Network
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates: Freelance journalist and travel blogger
Kim Mance: Editor of Go Galavanting.com
Donna Hull: Freelance Writer and blogger at My Itchy Travel Feet
Lanora Mueller: Writing Travel blogger
Shannon Hurst Lane: Freelance travel writer
Reader Comments (10)
I got satisfied by your vedieo that's more informative travel tips.
Thanks .
You can find me at www.TheAirGorillaBlog.com
I use Global Bag Tag (http://www.globalbagtag.com) which provides 2 registered tags per kit and a web site to register them on along with your travel itinerary. The tags are engraved metal with a strong wire connector. If you lose your luggage, you can report it lost by phone or web, and a finder can do the same to match them up with you again. Worth the fees to get a little extra peace of mind.
As a very frequent traveler, I always feel that twang of anxiety when it's time to go get my bags. From your article, I noticed the thing you did wrong that most lead to losing your luggage... you flew US Air. They are the dredge of the airline industry, and that's quite an accomplishment. It's like being the the shortest guy in midget wrestling. Good post, good video. Thanks for the tips!
nice video! Love the tips about packing a nice bra and photographing what your bag looks like.
Nancy, I must say, you looked fab at the conference! So kudos to all those who came to your assistance until your bag showed up. That means more than any one-minute sales pitch they could have delivered. Next time you're in Portland, we'll have to meet up!
Oh the dreaded lost baggage vice. Been there...done that...didn't get my t-shirt back. My worst was when flying back from France. It was a week before I got my luggage.
Great post - but I was looking forward to reading the tips on what to do if your luggage is lost! I am deaf and without subtitles, the video is not much use for me. Will there be a transcript appearing?
Katie
@Katie Thanks for reading my "Lost Luggage Tips" post. You raise a good point in the video not including subtitles. Unfortunately, I am the solo contributor to this blog so I will not have time to go back and transcribe the interviews.
I'm new to video, so I will try to learn how to include subtitles next time. Thank you for your comment.
Hi, I stumbled across this post. And I'm glad I did. Thanks for the tips! I agree most on the CARRY-ON. I've had my luggage lost once when I arrived at my destination. Not having clothes in my carry-on. So, now I always pack the most important things like toiletries, an extra outfit, pjyama's, bikini in there. Trust me, helps a lot :)
Wonderful post... Very informational and educational as usual! Thanks!
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