Clark Howard's Tips

January 17, 2007

We're off to Madrid, Spain for our 2007 staff trip in a few weeks and Clark is strongly suggesting that none of us check a bag. One staff member, who shall remain nameless, is thinking about checking one and Clark is not happy. That's because more and more bags are getting lost each year.

The percentage is up to 40 percent, in fact. That means, at least one person on every flight will not ever see their bags again.

In addition, remembering the ever-changing liquid rule can be confusing. You just have to remember 3-1-1. That's 3 ounces of liquid and you can put as many 3oz tubes into a 1 quart clear bag, and passengers can take only 1 bag of liquids.

Also remember to take anything of value (spare eye glasses and medicine, for example) in your carry on.

So who are the worst at losing bags? ASA is the worst by far, with a baggage loss increase of 30 percent from a year ago. Second worst is Comair, which is up 50 percent from a year ago. Third from the bottom is American Eagle, American's commuter carrier.

Of the mainline airlines, USAir, Delta and United are losing up to 30 percent more bags as well. The least likely to lose bags are AirTran, JetBlue, Southwest and Continental.

So try not to check that bag if you can help it.

Consumer advice courtesy of