Tag it
Some carryon-only types don’t worry about luggage tags since they’re used to having their bags in their possession at all times. But with gate checking becoming more common, a good luggage tag is essential. OBOW reader Larry P. has this tip for a cheap and indestructble one:
“I don’t remember who reccomended this but I got a pet tag at the local pet store with my name and cell phone number. It’s metal and I attach it with the ring for car keys. It should last forever and it won’t come off without some serious effort.”
Larry’s source.
Reader Comments (5)
Strange, Red Oxx just announced this very same idea:
http://www.redoxx.com/product_categories/5/products/90-dog-tag
I've got one of the Red Oxx ones. I took it off. While you're talking with your bag it jingles just enough to give me a facial tick after a while ;-)
Ok, I decided to write my own post about this as well: A better luggage tag
Steve Duncan brings up an interesting point in his blog referenced above. His solution to post his itinerary on a password protected website and put the password on his luggage tag appeals to my techie self but might put someone off by requiring too much effort to follow through. For domestic travel, your mobile number on the tag should make you easy enough to contact, but for international travel fewer travelers carry a mobile phone. What about printing your itinerary, stashing it in an outer pocket, and then referencing its location on a printed tag? Are there other security issues with this? Worse than losing your one bag?
Having experienced several gate checks in my most recent travels, the reminder to add a luggage tag is timely. I like the idea of a dog tag. Some inventive person must have been as annoyed by the jingle as Steve because you can buy dog tag silencers. I have used them on my dogs' tags and they work pretty well.
Another option is a product offered by Road ID. I use the shoe id when I'm out running. You velcro it on your shoe laces and it does not move. You can have 6 lines of text engraved. You can see the items at Roadid.com