News On Cheap Airline Tickets

According to the Department of Transportation, the percentage of checked bags that gets permanently lost is approximately 0.005 percent. This means that sooner or later, your lost baggage will show up. Still, losing your baggage while traveling is really inconvenient. In case, this unfortunate thing happens to you, here are some of the things that you should do in order to minimize such inconveniences.

1. Since airlines have limited liability when it comes to lost baggage, it will be smart if you avoid bring with you items that are too expensive or too difficult to replace. If you need to bring these items, you should ask your insurance company or purchase extra valuation coverage.
2. It is better if you put important documents and items such as jewelry and cash on your carry-on bags so that even if your baggage is lost, you do not have to worry about them. Most travelers find belt bags to be very convenient for this reason.
3. Make sure that your suitcase can be easily identified. If possible, purchase one with a slide-in plastic window where you can put in your name and other important details instead of choosing one with an identification tag, which can easily be torn off.
4. Before packing your things, you should inspect the locks and zippers of your luggage. There are cases when bags pop open when being handled because they are overstuffed or the locks are broken.
5. Keep with you a detailed inventory of all the items in your luggage. This way, you can easily confirm whether you lost any item if your baggage got lost or delayed.
6. As soon as you realize that your luggage is not in the baggage claim area, report it to the airline at once. They might have an idea whether your bags have been loaded into another flight. If in case your bags are really lost, you should fill out and complete the required form properly. Ask for a phone number so that you can call them regarding your baggage.

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Even before, having a carry-on bag while traveling will help you avoid a lot of hassles including lost baggage. And with the recent announcements of most airlines that they will charge their fliers with additional fees for the bags checked in, there is no better time than to consider using carry-on bags all the time.

If you are not a fan of the carry-on bag, here are some of the factors you should consider when choosing one:

• Size: pick a bag that weighs a maximum of 8lbs when empty. It is also wise to get one that expands. Consider the size limits that airlines impose, which is about 45 linear inches. This means that your bag should measure not more than 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Once you have met the size limit, you should not experience any problem with the weight limit. Many airlines allow their passengers a limit of 40lbs for domestic travels and 16lbs for international travels.
• Quality: since you will be attempting to travel using just this one bag, you should make sure that it could hold up all the jostling. Check the durability of the construction, zippers and of course, the wheels. It is probably a good idea to buy a carry-on from a reputable manufacturer, who can even offer warranty.
• Price: if you will be traveling frequently, then you should buy a carry-on that will be able to stand the test of time. Consider it as an investment and you will actually be saving money in the long run. Keep in mind that most expensive bags are more durable and reliable.

When choosing a carry-on bag, it is better if you buy it personally. You will be able to check it thoroughly and your questions regarding it will be answered immediately.

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Late flights are bothersome, and so are early arrivals. When your pilot announces that your travel was faster than expected and you arrived early at the airport that is not all good news. Your gate may not be available yet and you may need to have a stop at the penalty box or longer taxi time.

Air travel has been improving its service with a 79.1 percent on-time arrival high last April. This is partly higher than March and a point higher than last year.

Flights are arriving more on time lately since there are fewer flights scheduled and better air traffic. Air companies have been giving more time from 5 to 30 minutes in some domestic flights to keep their on-time record going.

This air travel tactics has an obvious downside: early arrival on airports and more time in the penalty box. Some passengers complain that they spent more time on land, waiting to get off the plane, than the actual air travel.

The usual taxi-in time ranged from 5.5 minutes 9 years ago to 8 minutes last year. During the first four moths of 2009, planes took less than 7 minutes from touch down to the gate.

But that is not the case for everyone. An American Eagle flight last April had to wait for 2.5 hours before getting into a gate, and two others flights for 2 hours. American had 3 of the 5 most delayed flights last April while the other two is with Continental Airlines.

The airlines explained that the unexpected snowstorms or bad weather has caused these travel mishaps.

Airlines have done these extra travel schedules to improve their late-flight image. Arriving early may sound better, but making your passengers wait in a plane to have an available gate is annoying too.

Here are some tips on how to avoid the penalty box:

• Consider alternate airports. Smaller airports are not as busy as the bigger ones, decreasing the risk of getting the penalty box.
• Have an early flight. First flight of the day means less competition for gates. Avoid the last flights, where the airport might be the busiest.
• Choose a larger plane. Air traffickers avoid holding Boeing 747s while regional carriers usually get the penalty box.
• Pass up air travel in a bad weather. This is the common reason for bad air traffic and taxi-in delays.

Remember: travel to a small airport with a larger plane, avoid peak time arrival and bad weather.

But the best trick would probably to know what to expect when you arrive early. Your air travel is not yet done until you exited the plane.

Related Posts:

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