by Blair Mahoney

Created on: February 10, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Want to prevent losing your luggage from a pilot's perspective? If you follow my advice, you can keep your luggage with you and leave the airport faster than most other people. Now, I always store my flight kit on the flight deck and my suitcase in the airplane's luggage closet, but I picked up a few tips for when I'm either dead-heading or non-revving in the passenger cabin. Here are some surefire ways to keep all your belongings with you safely and efficiently.

1. Keep a smaller suitcase of the size that can fit in most airliners' overhead bins. If you have a second, smaller bag, you can store it under your seat. In this way, you keep your luggage with you the entire time, allowing you to de-plane at the end of the flight and literally walk right out the door. Talk about convenient! But, and here's the major thing, don't bring lots of extra stuff on board to store in the overhead bin (like paintings, extra coats, etc.) as well as your suitcase. This inconveniences any other passengers with the intentions of storing THEIR suitcases in the overhead bins. Remember, there is only so much space on the airplane. Be considerate of others.

2. If you're flying on an airline that allows you to gate check your bags, that's the second-best choice (first-best being the storing of your suitcase in the overhead bin). Gate checking your bags is where you ask the gate agent for a gate check bag at the jet-way door, put it on your suitcase, and drop your suitcase off at the door nearby the airplane's cabin door. After you land at your destination, you can pick up you suitcase right after you exit the airplane after the baggage handlers hand it up to you. This also allows you to avoid walking to the dreaded "baggage claim".

3. While in the airport, don't let your bags out of your sight. If you're in the bathroom, make sure you have your bags in your sight or right there next to you to prevent theft.

4. Don't be flashy with your clothes or jewelry. You just make yourself a mark for someone to steal your bags or pickpocket you. This may sound slightly paranoid, but it should help you keep all your possessions with you.

Learn more about this author, Blair Mahoney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.