Air Travel:  What You Need To Know About Your Checked Baggage

When it comes to air travel, many travelers are more concerned with
their carryon luggage than they are with their bags that will be handed
over to airport staff. These bags, commonly referred to as checked
baggage, are just as important, if not more important, than your carryon
luggage. For this reason, there are a number of different factors that
you should take into consideration, when packing your bags for your next
flight.

 

One mistake that many travelers make, when it comes to checked baggage,
is including prohibited items in their bag. In addition to prohibited
items, there have also been instances of travelers trying to hide
illegal items in their checked luggage. Although it may seem like a good
idea at the time, it isn't. In fact, with today's airport security
screening, it is virtually impossible for you to get away with storing
prohibited or illegal items inside your checked baggage more information
. This is mostly due to the fact that the
screening process has dramatically changed from what it was in the past,
say ten years ago.

In the past, certain airlines only randomly searched checked baggage.
Many times, these searches were only implemented if airline officials or
airport security had probable cause. Today, all bags are checked,
including your checked luggage. Most checks will quickly be done, but,
in some cases, more extensive searches may be conducted. A quick check
of your luggage may include rummaging through all of your belongings,
looking for anything out of the ordinary. An extensive search could
include searching all of your clothing pockets and baggage compartments.
In the event that you are subject to one of those checks, it is likely
that you will be caught if you are trying to conceal a cigarette lighter
or other prohibited items.

Since your bags will be checked, all of them, you are advised against
locking your baggage before heading to the airport. After your bags have
been properly screened, some airlines will allow you to replace the
locks on your checked baggage, but not all will. For this reason, you
may want to reconsider storing expensive items, such as electronic
equipment, in your bags. In addition to the possibility of theft, you
will find that items packed inside your checked luggage are at a higher
risk for being damaged then those that are in your carryon bags.

When packing your bags, which will be checked at the airport, it is also
advised that you carefully pack them. There are a number of items,
including sharp objects, which are prohibited from being stored in your
carryon luggage, but those items can be placed in your checked baggage.
As previously mentioned, airport security will likely examine those
bags. Even during a quick examination, they will rummage through your
belongings. For that reason, you are advised to properly package and
secure all items that can be considered dangerous, such as those with
sharp edges or points. This extra precaution may not only affect your
safety, when you to go unpack your bags, but the safety of all airport
security officials, especially those screening your luggage.

By taking the time to famialrize yourself with all travel rules,
including the airport screening process, you should be able to pack your
bags for your next flight, the right way. The wrong way, although you
may not necessarily think about it at the time, could have serious
consequences.