What Really Happens to Your Luggage on a Flight

844

Once you check your bag at the airport do you know what really happens to that bag? If you have a connecting flight, how exactly does the bag make it from one plane to another? It might just surprise you to find out that your bag probably does more traveling than you do on your trip.

Carts And Belts Do A Lot Of The Work
Many bags hardly get handled by actual people. They go down quite a few belts before they get transported over to a cart or two or three! In some instances, they will go into a large container and be transported over to the plane so that they get on the plane faster. Before your bag even gets on the plane it will have to go through security screening. This ensures that there aren’t any dangerous items in it that could harm passengers or even the plane. Once the bag is in the cargo holder, it gets pressurized. After your flight, it goes through basically the same process, only in reverse and eventually makes its way to baggage claim in order for you to retrieve it.

The Process Is A Little Different For Connecting Flights
When you land at the airport and wait for your connecting flight, your bag is still doing some traveling around. It goes through a central processing facility. It is then loaded onto a cart and taken over to the next airline that you will be traveling on. In instances where this process needs to be speeded up because a connecting flight is leaving soon, the bag is transferred on the ramp and sent over by a baggage cart.

How Is All Of This Possible
For many airlines they use a computerized tagging system to keep track of these bags and to determine where they need to go and when. For passengers that are concerned that their luggage will be lost in this process, they can download an app where they can monitor the progress of their luggage. While they can’t do much from the plane if their luggage doesn’t make it onboard the correct flight, at least they will know where it actually went.

The Future Of Checked Luggage
New ID tags will make it possible to easily identify each bag. These tags will greatly reduce the number of bags that are lost or placed on the wrong flight. This may assure passengers that are leery of checking their bags that their luggage will make it to the right place.

Previous articleNew Cruise Ships For 2017
Next articleSimple Ways To Destress While Traveling
Sue Lobo
Sue, our esteemed Operations Manager, has been honored as a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler for 2023 and 2024. With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue brings a wealth of expertise to our company, particularly in the areas of group travel, event planning, and blogging. As a passionate traveler herself, Sue has explored more than 20 countries across three continents, including captivating destinations such as Cuba, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Her firsthand experiences allow her to provide invaluable insights and recommendations to our clients, ensuring that their travel dreams become a reality. Sue's dedication to the travel industry extends beyond her role as Operations Manager. She has successfully coordinated over 200 travel groups, meticulously planning and executing each trip to perfection. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence have earned her a reputation as a trusted and reliable travel professional. In addition to her operational expertise, Sue is a gifted writer at heart. She leverages her writing skills to share her love of travel and provide consumers with essential industry-related news and updates. Her engaging blog posts offer a unique perspective on the world of travel, inspiring others to embark on their own adventures. When she's not planning extraordinary trips or writing captivating travel content, Sue indulges in her passion for cooking, exploring the diverse flavors and culinary traditions of the places she visits. With her unwavering enthusiasm and extensive knowledge, Sue continues to be an integral part of our team, ensuring that every traveler's experience is truly unforgettable.