I took several flights in Central and South America in the last 8 months never checking a bag. But I decided to check my duffel bag on my flight back to the USofA and of course it got lost.
As a digital nomad you can’t afford to check your baggage. You can pack light enough to avoid it.
Checking a bag gives the airline an excuse to lose it and not compensate you properly. Jet Blue’s policy for lost baggage is $25 per day, but only after 48 hours of its disappearance. If the bag doesn’t show, you get a whopping $200.
My bag found its way back this morning to the house I’m staying at in New Jersey. If I were in a different country, I’m sure I would have had to wait around or go back to the airport to pick it up. Thank you US mail system.
But just because it showed up doesn’t mean all is well. The unmarked, black, plastic trash bag it was wrapped in was kind of like a metaphor for the general treatment of my bag. I wasn’t surprised to open it up and find the contents ruined.
I bought a bottle of Aguardiente from Medellin to torture my friends into drinking with me. I carefully wrapped and secured it in my bag but it didn’t make it through the process. As a result, my things now smell like black licorice death.
Along with several clothes being ruined beyond repair, some other gifts I purchased will not make it home either.
Checked baggage is treated with no respect. It’s thrown, kicked, and searched through. Employees simply don’t care and probably aren’t paid well enough to care.
If you absolutely must check your bag, then get a fragile sticker for it. All you have to do is ask. It should result in slightly above terrible treatment of your bag.
You have been warned. Pack light and don’t check.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen, you could not be more right. Even after long-term, lightweight travel, it’s a common mistake to think “Well, I’m heading home.. this time I’ll check my bag” or check-in an extra bag of priceless souvenirs for yourself and family. Huge mistake.
Once, I arrived in NYC from Bangkok to find every item in my checked bag had been annihilated. Not slightly damaged. Destroyed. Bottle of Sang Som rum? Empty. Porcelain wine-holders from Melbourne? Shattered. Lamps from Thai night bazaar? Cracked wood, torn paper sides.
If it is worth anything to you, never let it leave your side. Good post.
Welcome back! I hope the cocaine made it back ok.
http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63604
Scroll down to the pics. You are gonna be home in time to see the T100 rolling into the driveway.
Good post and for the most part I agree with you. The only reason I do check my bags is when I just have too much packed to carry on. I’m really not a fan of “those people” that roll their giant carry on baggage down the middle aisle saying, “excuse me, oh I’m sorry, excuse me…” while their bags hit the arms and legs of everyone in the aisle seats.
@bruceericatdell, @digital_nomads