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The idea of travel is so exciting. You know the feeling when you first start booking a trip and all you can think about is the incredible destination, the mouth-watering foods, maybe early morning sunrises over the beach and long evenings sipping wine. RELATED: The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without
But nothing can make you crash back to reality quicker than the actual travel experience itself, dealing with your luggage, the airport and the airplane.
There’s lots to think about when you head to the airport. One of the best ways to travel these days is with carry-on only. It’s lighter, you’ll always have your stuff with you, you can change your plans more easily and most importantly, you don’t have to worry about the airline losing your bag.
But traveling with carry-on only isn’t possible for many people, myself included. I used to pride myself on my carry-on packing techniques; alas, those were my single gal days. Now, as a mom of two, traveling as a family of four, we check our bags and hope for the best. Of course, we always put Apple AirTags in our checked luggage so we always know where our suitcases are. It gives me some peace of mind and at this point, it feels foolish not to do so.
Regardless of whether you travel with carry-on luggage or check your bags, an American Airlines flight attendant has a tip regarding luggage tags. Here’s what she says:
“Guys, I have a tip for you. Always make sure that your luggage tag has the contact information facing the other side. I see so many people with luggage tags and their information is displayed for everyone to see … their name, their address, their phone number, their email. That is way too much information for just anyone to have.”
She goes on to say: “So instead, just flip the contact information to the other side. In the event that your bag is actually lost or stolen, whoever finds your bag is going to take out the piece of paper and flip it to the other side to get your contact information.”
She concludes: “So, it’s great to have a luggage tag, just not having all of your information just displayed for anyone to see at all times. I ride the train a lot and there are a lot of crazies on the train. I don’t need my information just there for everyone to see.”
Watch the full video here:
@allycase1 If I run into any of you guys in the airport with a phone number facing outwards I’m going to have some words for you #flightattendanttips #traveltips #travelsafety ♬ I Feel Funny – Justin Bieber
Ally makes a great point. Many of us fill out the name and address card and slide it into the luggage tag face up. But why share all that information with anyone who is standing near enough to read it. While some commenters think Ally is being paranoid by suggesting you should hide your personal information, I fully agree that it’s simply unnecessary for strangers to know your name, address, phone number and email address. It takes no longer to slide that information card in the other way and can give you some peace of mind. Or, just use a luggage tag with a privacy flap. Also, there’s really no reason to put your full address on the card. Your name, phone number and email address are enough information for someone to contact you to reunite you with your bag. RELATED: 8 Ways To Make Sure An Airline Doesn’t Lose Your Bag … And That You Don’t Get Robbed or Stalked
In the event that your bag does get lost or stolen and someone from the airline needs to contact you, they will slide the information card out and flip it over to find your information. However, if you’re worried that they will think the card is blank, you can always write ‘CONTACT INFORMATION ON OTHER SIDE’ to make sure they know.
KEEP READING:
–The Versatile Bag Flight Attendants Never Travel Without
–What Do Flight Attendants Notice When You Board a Plane? Here’s What They’re Looking For
–Flight Attendant Shares 6 Spot-On Hotel Hacks
–The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without
–American Airlines Flight Attendant Shares Her Top 3 Pet Peeves
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Anyone traveling on airlines should put their name and address of their destination on their luggage tag. It’s a mistake to use one’s home or business address, especially if just starting out on a multiple week trip. If your luggage doesn’t show up, as ours has on occassion, you don’t want it returned to your home address. Always put an itinerary in your luggage just in case the airline the luggae tag is torn off so the airline knows where you are to try to get your luggage to you. Usa AirTags, too.