Holiday Baggage Tips

Are you planning to drag your bag through various airports over the holidays? These tips could help ease the pain. Remember this is the busy time of year so plan on extra traffic coming and going from the airport and try and arrive at least two hours before your flight. Don’t travel with wrapped gifts in your carry-on or checked luggage. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents may have to unwrap them for inspection. Wrap the gifts when you get to your destination. If you want to lock your checked bag, buy a TSA-approved lock. You’ll find them at airports and travel stores or look online at sites such as www.safeskieslocks.com or www.travelsentry.org. Ship your bags ahead of time. On most airlines you have to pay to check them anyway (possibly $120 RT for two bags flying domestically including Canada). A company like www.theluggageclub.com offers door-to-door service that takes the hassle out of flying. Plus, it works for golf bags and skis, too. Before you commit, check out the prices offered by services such as Federal Express, DHL and UPS. It may cost less (but take more shipping time) to go directly to the source.