Why do people pack their suitcases in plastic film at the airport?
This makes sense, the main idea of wanting to pack your suitcase is mainly to protect it from various external factors. You think that from the check-in phase to the hold, luggage undergoes a real obstacle course! After all kinds of bad experiences, many travelers have now become accustomed to introducing this protection to spare their luggage from shocks and possible cracks. But the use of plastic film, although not very glamorous, is particularly useful for various reasons. Here are some of them:
Obviously, this packaging service is offered at the airport itself. But, precisely, to avoid additional costs, many people choose to pack it directly at home.
When you board the plane with your small suitcase, it is important to know how to place it correctly so that it is safe and does not disturb anyone. Moreover, you should know that there are even strict regulations defined by most airlines. However, some passengers do not hesitate to place their bags in any way. It is true that most people install their suitcase horizontally, which seems more logical at first glance, since it allows for better luggage stability. This is not the right method. To avoid taking up all the space, you can install it horizontally, but you must make sure that the shortest side is vertical. In this sense, you gain enough space to allow other passengers to enjoy it too.
Are you planning to go on holiday soon, but are you worried about losing your suitcase, being the victim of a potential theft or that it will be irreparably damaged? Do not panic, there are certain precautions to take to save you all these misadventures. Follow our advice.
So, if the idea of plastic film does not appeal to you too much, you can also opt for any other protective cover to protect your luggage from shocks, scratches and cracks. This is a great option, especially if your suitcase is not very strong or resistant! As a bonus, this cover can also discourage potential thieves.
Sign up for baggage tracking
We are all haunted that our suitcase will get lost on the way. It must be admitted that this happens often, especially when you plan to make stopovers before arriving at your destination. But, fortunately, in recent years, there is much more chance of quickly recovering lost luggage. Yes, for those who don’t know, airlines have significantly improved the tracking of suitcases at every stage of the trip. Best of all, some carriers even allow you to track your baggage yourself via a mobile app. Amazing, isn’t it? The idea would be to scan your bag at four points during the trip: check-in, boarding the plane, when transferring from one flight to another and on arrival. It should be noted that the International Air Transport Association (which represents 290 airlines carrying about 82% of global air traffic), has set itself the goal of making it a widespread practice throughout the industry. Which would indeed be an excellent initiative! On the other hand, there are also some GPS-powered devices that you can buy for youruivre your own luggage. But, this method is quite controversial: airlines have had to put a brake on these “smart luggage” because of the risk of overheating batteries. Yes, it was to be expected…
Secure your suitcase with a TSA-compliant padlock
Following a trip to Thailand, Micah Lewis, founder of My Bag Check (luggage collection and storage service in New York) had the unpleasant surprise of having been the victim of a theft. “I had things stolen from my bag when I had not locked it,” he says. “Before leaving the house, you should be very careful and keep in mind that your luggage may be in contact with several people,” he warns. Precisely, after his misadventure, he decided to start his business to secure suitcases and reassure travelers more. Lewis explains that he always recommends buying luggage locks. However, according to his own observation, nearly half of people neglect this point and do not bother to secure their suitcases. Between us, it would be good to get started! And that’s good, there are a variety of padlocks, ranging from the most standard to straps. But, in order not to risk a possible setback (especially if you travel to the USA or Canada), in this region of the world, experts strongly recommend that you have a TSA lock. Thus, security guards who wish to open your baggage, for possible screening, can simply use a TSA key to check your baggage. It would be a shame to have done all this for nothing!
Packing items in the suitcase before arriving at the airport
It’s unfortunate to say, but many people still find ways not to carefully pack their toiletries in the suitcase! This lack of inattention can cost you dearly: once you arrive at the hotel, when you unpack the suitcase, you have the very bad surprise to find that there has been an explosion of shampoo in all this mess. Oh no, it’s far from funny! Similarly, a poorly closed perfume can empty completely: it smells good, certainly, but hello damage. And imagine your bottle of monoi accidentally opening and ransacking all your clothes… Go hop, everything has to go to the dry cleaner now and the perishables in the trash! But why do all this to your luggage? It will only take you a few minutes and you will avoid disaster. When packing, follow these simple rules: put liquids and creams in an airtight plastic bag, keep the heaviest items at the bottom of your suitcase near the wheels to reduce the risk of tipping over, and attach the straps to hold everything properly. In addition, remember to check that no accessory of the bag comes to block the luggage carousel so as not to cause trouble.
