To quickly drop your luggage from. Security check at the airport. Rules for packing your own suitcase

Packing for any vacation undoubtedly entails collecting luggage consisting of personal belongings you need while away from home. Today we will look at several recommendations on how not to lose your suitcase along the way, as well as its contents.

To begin with, some statistics from airlines that provide such statistics. On average, about 10 million passengers are left without their luggage during a flight each year for various reasons. To imagine how global this is, imagine that every minute approximately 40 air passengers are left without their suitcase.

In 2009, airlines lost approximately 25 million passengers' suitcases and bags. However, most of them still returned to their owners, but 850 thousand were lost forever. As the multinational corporation SITA reported in its annual report, carriers lost 2.5 billion US dollars on returning luggage to tourists.

One way or another, the results of 2009 are 24% more favorable than in the previous year. According to experts, there are several reasons: firstly, the number of tourists on flights has decreased. Secondly, due to the increase in the cost of luggage transportation, most tourists chose to refuse it or, at least, reduce the number of suitcases carried. Third, the transformation of baggage check-in and loading systems was favorable.

Most suitcases and bags are lost when transferring to another plane (52%), the second place goes to the mistakes of airport employees who forgot to put the suitcase on the plane (16%). Third place goes to typos on airline tickets or absentmindedness of passengers who took luggage that was not their own (13%). 7% of bags are lost because they were sent to another airport, 6% of luggage is lost by customs, and 3% disappear because airport employees put the wrong labels on them.

In most cases, items are returned to their owners within a few days after disappearance. After two days, the likelihood of finding luggage is greatly reduced. In 2009, lost suitcases cost carriers $2.5 billion.

There are eight simple tips that will significantly reduce the possibility of losing your favorite suitcase and belongings:

1. Take a direct flight. Of course, a flight with a transfer is sometimes cheaper, but if the time between flights is short, the likelihood that suitcases will be lost increases several times.
2. Arrive at the airport early. If suitcases accidentally arrive on the wrong plane in advance, baggage handlers will have the opportunity to detect and correct the mistake. For Russia, this recommendation is also of great importance because of the long queues for baggage checks at the entrance to airports.
3. Do not transport expensive items in suitcases. Their loss or damage can only be compensated by special insurance.
4. Get a special tag on which you write down the airport of departure and arrival, as well as your details. This way, if you lose your suitcase, airport employees will be able to quickly recognize and return it.
5. It is very difficult to resist thieving neighbors on a flight, but with those who take a similar bag by an absurd accident, it is very simple - mark the suitcase with a noticeable sign, a bright belt, a colorful sticker or an unusual tag with information will do just fine.
6. Don’t forget to write a list of things that are transported in the suitcase. Insurance companies, as well as airline representatives, require evidence of what was actually in the luggage. The simplest solution is to take a photo of the contents of your luggage before departure.
7. It is preferable to keep a basic set of essentials with you in your carry-on luggage. Of course, most foreign airlines provide a spare kit to passengers whose suitcase is lost, but Russian airlines There is no point in relying on this yet.
8. Take out insurance for your luggage in case of loss, this can be done in advance or at the airport - in most foreign terminals, tourists are provided with insurance at the baggage wrapping points.

Do you know what happens to your suitcase at the airport behind the rubber window after you check it in? The press service of Moscow Domodedovo Airport invited me to their place and allowed me to photograph the work of all airport services. In particular, I photographed the entire journey of the suitcase from the check-in counter to loading it onto the plane.

Passengers part with their luggage upon check-in. Here a tag containing information about the owner and destination is affixed to the suitcase:

Oversized luggage, that is, large or unusually sized luggage, can be checked at a separate counter. Airlines also advise checking in fragile luggage here. Here they will label it “glass” and send it down not on a general conveyor belt, but on a special elevator:

The luggage compartment occupies a huge hall, which looks like a small underground city under the airport. Its space is intertwined with a network of baggage conveyors, the length of which, in general, is more than 3.5 km. All suitcases descend here along one of 6 sleeves:

First of all, the suitcase goes through the scanner. No matter what position the suitcase is in, the scanner reads the information from its tag. If you left a sticker with a barcode on your suitcase from a previous flight, the scanner may get confused, and your baggage will go for additional processing, where an airport employee will manually find the right tag on the suitcase and send it on your flight. Therefore, airport staff advised me to rip off any excess stickers from my suitcase after each flight.

The suitcase then goes into an introscope, where it is scanned for explosives, weapons and other prohibited items:

If the suitcase seems suspicious to the system, then such baggage will be sent for a more thorough check.

Suspicious baggage undergoes 4 additional checks, including a CT scanner and a diffraction machine:

Dogs are also used to search for explosives:

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Oversized luggage is scanned at a separate inspection point. By the way, if your bag has handles sticking out or the shoulder strap is not unfastened, then it will also be considered oversized:

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A suitcase can enter the baggage compartment of Moscow Domodedovo Airport via one of six conveyors. After scanning, 6 sleeves are combined into 4:

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Suitcases fly through another scanner at high speed (the video of my “assistant” is at the end of the article). Here it is determined for which flight the suitcase is checked in and, depending on this, it is sent to the left or right sorter, also called the “circle”. If the “circle” is right, then the suitcase goes up:

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If the “circle” is left, then down. Moreover, the distribution element of the conveyor manages to rise or fall in a matter of seconds:

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Before entering the circle, the computer accelerates the suitcase and throws it exactly onto one of the platforms of the circle:

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From the circle, the suitcase tips over onto one of 70 “slips”:

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A slide is a slide for a suitcase. The system accurately calculates the time when the suitcase passes the desired slide and dumps the luggage onto it:

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Take a closer look. Do you see the pink stripe above the slimes? This pink suitcase is carried on one of the platforms of the “circle”:

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Depending on the number of passengers, one or more slips may be allocated for one flight. The suitcases are removed from them by the loader, and after scanning them with a hand-held scanner for control, they are transferred to carts:

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If the plane is very large and there are many passengers on the flight, then instead of slides, one of two moving conveyors (triplanars) is used:

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Please note that in the foreground is the crew's luggage:

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Trolleys with luggage are transported to the plane:

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Baggage can be loaded onto the plane either via a small conveyor ramp:

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Or lift it on a special lift:

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Now let's figure out what happens to our luggage upon arrival.

Usually, when a plane stops at a parking lot, a baggage train immediately pulls up to it:

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The bags are transferred to trolleys, and the train travels to the arrival luggage compartment, in our case it was the internal lines department:

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The locomotive drives up to one of the conveyors, and the loaders transfer the luggage onto the belt, from where it immediately leaves, upstairs for delivery:

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Oversized luggage is taken out separately:

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Transit luggage is marked with a bright yellow tag. Airport staff know in advance whether there is transit luggage on the flight. It is caught and placed on a separate cart:

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I spent 4 days at Moscow Domodedovo Airport. Took 500 photos. They showed me absolutely everything that is at the airport. They drove around the territory in a SAB car (Service Aviation Security). We drove around the entire perimeter of the airport more than once, which is 28 kilometers! Together with the S7 pilot, I went through a pre-flight medical examination, briefing, introduction to the flight attendants, inspection and launch of the aircraft. I was even allowed to go up to the controllers' tower, from where I took a couple of unique spotter photos.

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Honestly, I don’t understand how you can not recognize your luggage, and I’m always surprised when people at the airport look at the tags on their suitcases on the tape, looking for their last name. Moreover, sometimes on completely different suitcases, both in color and shape. Don't remember if yours is green rag or black plastic?
It would seem like nonsense, but no... It turns out that this is a problem for many travelers and people experience real difficulties in identifying the suitcase they took with them on vacation.
An ingeniously simple solution to this problem is offered by one of London's online stores of goods for people with imagination - Head-Case luggage covers with a face.
It looks funny, of course, but the main thing is that you certainly won’t get lost in a crowd with such a suitcase, and you won’t be confused with any other on the baggage belt.

All travelers need to do is send it to the manufacturer good photo own face. Although...you can use a photo of your mother, colleague or some celebrity instead. The Firebox store will print the image on the suitcase cover and send it to the buyer.

The personalized covers are made from spandex and are available in three sizes. Their prices range from $26 to $39.

The initiators of the idea are sure that nothing says “This is my suitcase!” better than having your huge face on it as it moves down the conveyor belt.

Based on materials:

One of the most important procedures when traveling by plane is packing your suitcase at the airport. Despite the fact that this task, at first glance, seems quite simple, it is quite difficult to cope with packing on your own, which is why many travelers order paid service baggage packaging, which is provided at each airport. A properly packed bag or suitcase is a unique opportunity to simplify the process of inspecting items or transportation, as well as prevent theft, because unprotected luggage is so easy to open and take out all the most valuable things.

Each airport has its own rules for packing luggage. For example, durable suitcases with a solid frame and a combination lock do not need to be wrapped, because they are almost impossible to damage or break into. Soft bags must be packed properly, and open bags with things should not be taken into luggage at all.

Why do you need to pack your luggage?

At the check-in counter at the airport, luggage is accepted only if its wrapping is strong and there is no suspicion that the suitcase may be damaged during transportation or loading. Even if the suitcase has a solid frame and meets all the requirements, it still makes sense to securely pack such a luggage bag for several reasons:

A packed bag can easily withstand the careless attitude of baggage handlers at the airport, withstand various mechanical damage, fabric tears, scratches on plastic and shocks;
High-quality packaging is a guarantee of reliable protection against unauthorized break-ins: the contents in the bag under a thick layer of film are difficult to reach, so even the smallest external pockets will be safe from thieves;
Protection from dirt, plastic packaging of luggage allows you to keep the suitcase in its original condition without any scuffs or stains. That is why it is necessary to carefully wrap even the strongest bag with a special elastic polyethylene film to limit the risk of contamination during falls from the transport belt.

Important! The bag should not be filled to the brim with things, because a suitcase at the airport travels a long way, and baggage handlers do not stand on ceremony with other people's suitcases, so a strong load or impact can lead to the clasp unfastening or breaking, and all the contents ending up on the floor.

Cost of paid baggage packing

Many busy travelers who do not have time to pack their luggage themselves are interested in the question of where they can order a paid service for packing suitcases at the airport. Each air port has special packaging machines located near the entrance or passages to the check-in counters.

Also nearby are check scales for checking the weight of luggage; weighing on them will allow you to avoid further unpacking of the suitcase if it is overweight. At some airports this service is provided free of charge, at others it is paid and often costs 50 rubles (in this case, automated scales work for approximately 30 seconds; with systematic weighing, you can find out the weight of 3-4 bags at a time).

Helpful advice. Luggage can also be weighed before packing at unstaffed check-in counters.

Packing luggage at any airport can be done either independently or with the help of experienced employees who will give the necessary recommendations. The packing racks have all the necessary materials and instructions for proper wrapping.

How much does it cost paid packaging baggage at the main Moscow airports:

Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo - the price of wrapping one suitcase varies between 350-500 rubles for luggage weighing up to 32 kg and 700 rubles for luggage weighing more than 32 kilograms;
As for the question of how much it costs to wrap a suitcase at Domodedovo, much depends on the airline the passenger is flying with. For example, people who travel frequently with Aeroflot can pay bonus miles, such a service will cost 2200 bonuses if you contact PACK&FLY. At the same time, for each piece of luggage, Aeroflot passengers can receive an additional 50 miles to their bonus account. For travelers flying with other airlines, baggage wrapping will cost 500-600 rubles for each item, and the wrapping procedure itself will take only 1-2 minutes.

At Domodedovo Airport, packaging counters are located on the ground floor of the passenger terminal and they operate 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. This service is provided by several companies: PACK&FLY, Truestar, VEX UPAK. The PACK&FLY company is especially popular among passengers, providing discounts on club cards, as well as free packing of suitcases for WWII veterans, the opportunity to purchase special burglary protection, and many other advantageous offers to customers of UTAIR and S7 airlines.

Additional Information. TRUSTAR GROUP will be an excellent alternative to PACK&FLY. Their counters are located near the check-in point for the flight in the passenger terminal of Domodedovo Airport. Here you can pack a suitcase on a plane for 500 rubles, receive special protection against unauthorized opening, a small sticker that allows you to quickly find your luggage if it is lost, and have your bag weighed for free.

Rules for packing your own suitcase

For those who want to save on packing luggage at the airport, you can try doing it yourself. The main thing is to adhere to some basic rules and buy the necessary materials. When wrapping a suitcase yourself, you must use cling film, sold at any household chemical store, and tape. The first thing to start with is to properly fold things inside the bag so that fragile things are not damaged and the suitcase is not stuffed to the limit. To do this, you need to put all heavy and large items on the bottom (books, shoes, clothes), the rest of the miniature items need to be distributed on the sides and additional pockets, if any. For convenience, you can put each item in a separate plastic bag, this will greatly simplify the inspection process at the airport.

The first thing to do is press the free edge of the cling film onto the bag;
Secondly, you need to make a full turn with your second hand so that the polyethylene adheres tightly to the surface of the bag or suitcase;
Then you need to make at least 5-10 full wraps along the entire length of the luggage;
Wrap not only one side; for the sake of reliability, it is recommended to do the same manipulations with the other side;
To provide better protection, it is necessary to wrap not only the body itself, but also the handle and leg, and then make small holes for accessible use of these parts;
The slots for the wheels and handles should be secured with adhesive tape to prevent damage to the packaging at the airport when transporting luggage.

If the passenger wrapped the suitcase himself with cling film, then such luggage will differ from others in the transparency of the packaging, because the polyethylene used at the airport is much denser and is not transparent. Despite this, it is worth marking your bag and placing a sticker with personal information and a contact phone number under the last packing layer; this will help in locating your luggage if it is lost.

A little advice. If you fly often and are wondering how to pack your suitcase, then the best solution is to purchase a reusable, aesthetic and reliable luggage cover. An indispensable attribute can also be a fastener belt that protects the suitcase from burglary. If it is damaged, you can easily determine the fact of theft and file a complaint in a timely manner.

Damage to a suitcase during a flight

If a bag or suitcase was damaged during transportation due to the fault of airport employees, and the luggage itself shows visible signs of tampering, then each passenger can request compensation.

To do this, you need to do the following manipulations:

Record the fact of hacking immediately upon detection at the airport;
Provide information on checked baggage ( boarding passes, luggage tags, etc.);
Find a representative office located at the airport or employees of the airline with which the flight was made;
Fill out a form with a claim, indicating the amount of compensation and detailed personal data;
Apply stamps and make copies of documents that will remain with airline employees.

After this, you just have to wait for a call from the air carrier representatives. On average, compensation is paid in the amount of $10 per kilogram of luggage weight.

When wondering where to pack your luggage, at home or at the airport, you should rely on your own skills and financial capabilities. If the passenger is confident that he will be able to securely wrap the suitcase, then he will be able to save on this service. Special equipment at the airport and specialists involved in baggage packing can guarantee the safety of the bag and reliable protection of the packaging material, so professional packaging is more reliable, although expensive.

Video

If you have a flight ahead, then the first thing, in addition to paperwork and purchasing tickets, is to pack your luggage. Whether it's a bag, suitcase or package, items must be transported in accordance with the rules of the chosen airline. It should be noted that the requirements for passengers’ belongings are not “nitpicking”, but an important measure to prevent deformation and loss of luggage, as well as to ensure flight safety.

But this is all the business of the air carrier. What should passengers do, how can they make sure they get to the airport every time? final destination destination along with your luggage?

Experienced travelers know how to fit everything they need and whatever their heart desires into a suitcase.

Even ways of packing things are being invented. Here are the basic rules:

Shoes are placed on the sides of the bag,
on the bottom - outerwear, jeans or trousers,
in the pockets - small items (it is better to place them in a transparent container).
Next are sweaters and T-shirts.

Rolling things with a roller will help increase the capacity of a suitcase or bag. Plus, after landing you won’t need an iron, since the rolled up items won’t get wrinkled.

If you are transporting liquids, creams and other things that can leak or break, then you definitely need to consider sealed packaging for them. And carefully rearrange them with soft things.

For example, bottles can be packed very well inside a roller with a jacket or towel. More information about the rules and regulations for transporting alcohol and tips on how best to do this can be read in.

How to check luggage so it doesn't get lost

1. Remove unnecessary information

Official measures to track passengers' belongings include their coding. Any luggage is authorized using a barcode on the packaging tape.

It happens that a traveler's suitcase is decorated with numerous stickers left over from past flights. These barcodes from previous flights must be deleted. Why give another reason to send your luggage to your old address? And how can an airport employee find the current tag to send your suitcase to the correct address?

2. Add important information

How to avoid losing your luggage? Of course, sign it. It would seem such an obvious thing, but few people use it.

How to do it? A special tag is glued to the suitcase or it can be tied to the handle. If the suitcase is packed in film, then a piece of paper with information can be placed under its top layer.

What should I write? You must indicate your first and last name (in Russian and English language), telephone, address, email. It is also a good idea to include the flight number you are flying on and the city where your suitcase should land. You can even write the name of the hotel and the dates for which it is booked. There will be no unnecessary information here: the more, the better.

It’s great if the inscription is in the language of the country you’re flying to.

3. Packing your suitcase

Whether to use protective film for a suitcase or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves. But plastic packaging provides a number of advantages:

the suitcase will not get dirty or scratched
it is much more difficult to steal something from a packed bag
Luggage in film stands out among many other suitcases of the same type.

Special packaging of suitcases and bags is not just a requirement of the air carrier. First of all, this is a precaution against deformation of the bag (suitcase), against opening it by strangers and against loss of personal belongings.

I revealed some small secrets of packaging in.

4. A small bag is easier to lose than a large one.

Also an obvious thing. With this in mind, you can deliberately take a larger bag and fill it with something bulky and light. For example, plastic bottles.

Don't forget that it is often possible to take a small suitcase with you on board the plane as hand luggage. The main thing is that there are no liquids or other sharp objects inside.

5. Learn to stand out

Sometimes it’s not easy to spot your suitcase among a mass of others that are very similar in both color and size.

It's great when you can buy a suitcase in bright colors. But no one bothers you to unusually decorate luggage in the popular black or brown color.

You can tie a beautiful bright bow on the handle, you can glue a colorful sticker, you can wrap it in something unusual. In short, come up with something so that from afar it can be seen that this is your suitcase.

6. Photo for memory

Of course, any traveler takes photographs of himself at all stages of his journey. But this advice applies... to your suitcases that are checked in as luggage.

Agree, in case of any problems with losses, it is always easier to show what the bags looked like than to describe them in words. Especially in a foreign country, in an unfamiliar language.

And if, suddenly, you have to fill out a statement about lost luggage, then you will need to indicate its weight. Therefore, you can take a photo of the weight board when weighing your suitcase at the check-in counter.

1. We do not divide the inseparable. If you are carrying a phone in your hand luggage, then take its charger with you. If, suddenly, your luggage gets lost or delayed, then your valuable communication gadget will soon turn out to be a useless item.

2. All valuables: It is better to take money, documents, and jewelry with you into the cabin.

3. Keep your baggage receipt which you received when checking in your luggage until it was received at the airport of arrival. Don’t forget that in some places at the exit, employees check the items being taken out with the baggage number on the receipt. Without this, you may be detained at the airport for a long time.

If you follow these simple rules, when you receive your luggage, you will be able to easily find your items, and if it goes missing, there is a chance that you will be contacted quickly.

If you have any secrets of your own about the safety and packaging of transported luggage, share them in the comments below.

Have a comfortable flight!

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