Clark Howard's Tips

Airlines losing 42 percent more bags

August 15, 2005

Clark travels quite a bit each year, spending close to 100 nights a year in hotels.

He hasn't checked a bag since 1988, which was also the last time he lost a bag.

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Checking a bag adds so much airport waiting time and it's way too risky these days.

Airlines are losing 42 percent more bags this year than last, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Airlines are having major breakdowns in their baggage handling departments, in part because of the job loss in baggage carrier positions.

In a lot of areas, airlines are having trouble filling jobs because the wages are so bad. It's caused a train wreck for travelers because bags are disappearing all the time.

The solution to this is to never check a bag.

If you can, pack light and always carry on your bags. It is much safer and will save you a ton of time.

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