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Welcome to Luggage Tips
Hi, I'm Lynda Moultry, one of the hundreds of writers here at LifeTips.com. Enjoy these 104 Luggage Tips! If you’re a business, why not hire the expert writers at LifeTips? And if you’re a writer, apply for freelance writing gigs.
Children's Luggage
If you want to avoid cartoon characters, you can always purchase kids' luggage that is bright and colorful, with easy-to-use features.
A key point to remember is to make sure that the bag works well for the child. An inexpensive kid's bag may have zippers that stick or compartments that are hard to open, which can be frustrating if your fingers are little and absolutely need one special toy in the middle of a cross-country flight.
If possible, have the child explore the bag before you depart, getting used to the available places to put things and manipulating the zippers, clips and other fasteners. Many kids will spend days planning which things they want to put in which compartments.
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Carry-On Garment Bags
eBags.com Tip: You're set for the big presentation in LA -- PowerPoint slides loaded onto a disk, great-looking suit, perfect shoes. Then the airline gremlins whisk your bag to Boston, and you're left standing in California with nothing but a set of travel-rumpled clothes and a vague memory of what you had planned to say.
Today, many business travelers avoid being stranded at the airport by carrying the most important items in a carry-on bag. Fortunately, many manufacturers have carry-on garment bags available to help get your clothes to the next meeting unwrinkled and unruffled.
In particular, check out bags from Travelpro, like the Garments 2 Go bag, which acts like a garment bag on one side and a traditional suitcase on the other. More than just one of the many garment bags with wheels, this Travelpro bag includes a removable extension panel for long garments -- great if you're tall or frequently carry evening wear.
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Computer Luggage
These days, the line between wheeled laptop bags and carry-on cases is thin indeed -- in fact, many people use the same bag for both purposes.
If your computer luggage is going to do double duty, it needs to be extra flexible and easy to handle. Here are some features that will help you get more use out of your bag:
Removable padded laptop carrying case
Removable file holder
Removable toiletry kit
Inline skate wheels
Telescoping handle
Padded, contoured, non-slip shoulder strap
Padded compartment for computer peripherals
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Laptop Backpacks
eBags.com Tip: Commuters and students often use backpack laptop bags, which combine a casual look with durability and protection. Plenty of companies make these backpacks, including Samsonite. Features to look for include:
Padded shoulder straps
Padded laptop sleeve or compartment
Pocket with headphone gate for MP3 player (The Samsonite University backpack features this)
Reflective trim for nighttime visibility
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Lost Luggage
Before you depart on a trip, make a list of all valuables you're taking with you, and leave it at home in case it's needed. Take pictures of important items. Keep receipts handy if you need to show them later.
On short trips, avoid lost luggage by carrying all your belongings on board with you, if they fit into your carry-on bag and your personal item. Some travelers take the additional step of sending bags via overnight mail, scheduled to arrive in their destination city on the same day they do. This option probably makes the most sense when traveling with mission-critical items, like business samples.
Make sure your identification information is inside the bag—how you can be reached, your permanent address, your itinerary, etc.
Many people think it is okay to pack digital cameras or other electronics in checked luggage. If your bag is lost, you cannot claim these items. Always keep them in your carry-on.
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Delsey Luggage
eBags.com Tip: It would seem a contradiction to want lightweight luggage that is attractive and durable. Yet several makers have lines that are especially made to be all three.
Delsey is one of them, featuring polycarbonate luggage frames and ballistic Teflon-coated nylon. Delsey's Helium line includes hard-shell cases that are surprisingly light to carry, including a four-piece lightweight luggage set.
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Buy Unclaimed Luggage
Airports are entitled to sell off unclaimed baggage, but many instead wholesale it to a one-of-a-kind shop, the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Ala. Workers there once found an emerald that was almost 41 carats!
Items on sale include clothes, jewelry, fine art, electronics, books, sporting goods, video games and even rugs. Some fascinating unclaimed items they've had over the years include a full suit of armor, special camera designed for NASA’s Space Shuttle (government property—it had to be returned), a 5.8-carat diamond ring (seems small next to the emerald!), guidance system for an F-16 fighter jet valued at a quarter of a million dollars (again, government property that was returned).
One shopper bought her little girl a Barbie doll at the store. The girl pulled the head off and would have gotten a time-out that day, but $500 cash was rolled up inside so she probably got a reprieve.
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Backpacks And Travel
eBags.com Tip: Backpacks are not so simple anymore. You might recall a time when everyone at school had Jansport backpacks for school supplies, or you may have packed your trusty Eastpak for day hikes and picnics.
Today backpacks are a universal travel accessory, used by all ages and for all purposes. A moderate amount will buy you a good bag that will weather many trips over the years. Frequent travelers who take pride in appearance as well as performance may want high-end backpacks for travel.
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Pet Carrier Basics
Pets are important to many travelers. If you plan to take a pet on an air journey, the first step is to find out the specific pet carrier guidelines for your airline and flight.
When you are buying online, available pet carriers will most likely fit the guidelines for flying, but just double-check because people use animal carriers for everyday use and transport by car, as well. Likewise, if you plan to take your pet in the same carrier you use to go to the vet, investigate whether this meets airline standards for size and comfort.
Always have a backup plan to board your pet or get a sitter during your journey. Airlines can cancel a pet reservation because of unhealthy temperatures, or because there are already too many pets on that flight.
Even if you're not leaving the U.S., there may be quarantine restrictions that apply to your pet, as there are in Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Talk with your vet about required vaccinations and health certificates.
