BAGGAGE handler, David Smith, has revealed his top tips on how to keep your luggage safe during travel chaos.
In recent weeks, the travel industry has been in turmoil due to staff shortages and strikes as well as a rising demand for holiday packages.
2
2
Last-minute cancellations, long queues, and lost baggage have caused havoc for passengers as airports struggle to handle.
Photos taken at airports all over the country show how disorganized passengers are trying navigate. Thousands of suitcases were left behind at departure and arrival.
Many bags have been seen in mountains, all neatly arranged. This has made travellers afraid that they might never see their belongings again for many weeks.
Last week, footage was released of a frustrated pilot loading baggage onto his plane following the accumulation of suitcases at Heathrow.
A baggage handler shared some tips to make the lives of passengers easier as thousands of Brits are still scheduled to fly this summer.
According to an anonymous baggage handler, the chaos that is unfolding is the most chaotic he has ever seen. He has worked in this industry for more than a ten years.
But he thinks if Brit’s follow these rules he shared with The TimesThings would go a lot more smoothly.
Hand luggage
According to the baggage handler, travellers should only bring hand luggage.
This trick allows passengers to eliminate the possibility of their luggage getting lost.
They will also be able to avoid the chaos currently occurring at baggage reclaims.
Packing
If you can’t avoid checking in a bag, he suggests you pay special attention when packing your luggage.
If you’re travelling with family or friends you group should put clothes for each person in every suitcase in case one gets lost.
This means you’ll avoid being stuck in one outfit.
Photos
Brits who are going on holiday this summer need to take photos of their suitcase so they can be identified by airport staff.
Many are having difficulty finding their luggage because of the way that baggage is currently being piled high at baggage claim.
This tip means if you can’t see your case, airport workers will be able to help you find it.
To protect their insurance claims, holidaymakers must also take photos showing the contents of their bags.
ID
Most holidaymakers place tags with their names or contact details on their suitcases.
However, baggage handlers suggest that you take a more extreme measure.
He advises travellers to write their name, number and emergency contact information on their bags.
Wheels
The baggage handler says that when buying a suitcase, to make his and his colleague’s lives easier, you should pick a bag with four wheels.
Workers can slide the suitcase onto the plane by choosing a model with four wheels and not two.