Stranded: What to Do When Your Luggage Is Lost

"This can't be happening! Not today; not in the middle of Los Angeles!" I distinctly remember saying those words aloud as I realized that my luggage was gone. It was bad enough that I was severely jetlagged, having survived a seven-plus hour flight from Philadelphia to L.A. But, to make matters worse, I was all alone and scheduled to man a tradeshow booth the next morning. If I weren't so enraged, I probably would have cried.

If you've ever fallen victim to an airline mishap and have lost your luggage, then you know how stressful this can be. Most likely, you go into panic mode and begin agonizing about what steps to take next. Should you make sure that one of the other travelers didn't accidentally swipe your bag? Should you file a complaint with one of the airline managers? Not so fast. Before you become frantic, be sure to follow these easy steps:

• File a "missing-luggage" form with the airline counter. Also, be sure to provide the airline-counter attendant with adequate contact information, such as the name and location of your hotel and your cell phone number. Another lesser-known option? Ask the airline whether they provide daily stipends for travel necessities until your luggage is retrieved. Although many airlines have eliminated this policy due to the declining economy, you don't know until you ask.
• Take inventory of your lost luggage. While it's still fresh on your mind, make a detailed list of all of the items your suitcase contained. For instance, record how many pairs of pants, shirts, blouses, etc. you packed, and account for any other lost belongings (i.e., a cell-phone charger, toiletries, electric razor, etc.). That way, when your suitcase is (hopefully!) returned, you'll be able to ensure that no items were stolen.
• Relax and breathe deeply. As someone who has dealt with lost luggage on more than one occasion, I can fully attest to the fact that freaking out is futile. After all, statistics are on your side. According to IndependentTravel.com, approximately 98 percent of all missing baggage is eventually returned. So, instead of spewing out obscenities and threatening to sue the faulty airline, consider what future measures you can take to lessen the blow of lost luggage.

Preventative Measures

The great Benjamin Franklin once remarked that an "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Mull over this little nugget of wisdom the next time you're packing for a business trip. To ensure that lost luggage doesn't leave you down and out, consider these two tactics:

1. Pack an emergency carryon bag.

Looking for a surefire way to prevent lost luggage from ruining your trip? Pack an emergency carry-on, containing your travel essentials. Note: Always include an extra outfit, complete with shoes, undergarments and accessories. After all, there's nothing worse than showing up to your morning meeting wearing the grimy clothes you flew in. Also, do you need to bring any important materials to the meeting? If so, be sure to include them in your carry-on. However, remember: All liquids must be contained in a Ziploc bag and cannot exceed 3 ounces.

2. Label, label, label.

Unfortunately, it's impossible to prevent your baggage from getting lost. But, one way you can make your luggage as identifiable as possible is by labeling and customizing it. For instance, some travelers swear by the ribbon method, in which they tie colorful ribbons around their suitcase handles.

Personally, I've taken another route. After my meltdown at LAX, my oh-so-practical mother presented me with a gift: two multicolored luggage tags shaped like margaritas. Are they flashy and ostentatious? Absolutely! But, they certainly get the job done. There's absolutely no way these labels could get lost in the fray.

Up for Discussion

So, have you ever lost your luggage? If so, how did you handle the situation? Please share your stories and travel tips with the OfficeArrow community.