Yesterday’s tip was about how frequent fliers track their checked and carry-on bags using Apple AirTags.It’s an especially relevant idea right now since lost luggage numbers are way up due to In response, my friend, colleague and travel host, Colleen Kelly shared some reasons why she travels with the inexpensive tracking devices too (I updated the post with her comments, in case you missed them). She also sent over two valuable travel tips, which I will get to in a minute.
First of all, let’s face it: It’s important to know exactly where your bags are, which is why a tracking device like Apple AirTags are so helpful. But knowing where your bags are isn’t much help in the short term if your bags aren’t in the same destination as you. That’s why expert travelers know to always carry valuables, medications and other important things on the plane with you. As an aside, you should always travel with a sweatshirt, as airplane cabins often run cold, and a change of clothes just in case someone spills a drink or throws up on you. Yes, unfortunately, both have happened to my wife, and I and I even caught the latter on film.
RELATED: 6 Packing Tips For When You’re Traveling to a Remote Location
Colleen is a mother of four based in Chicago and she emailed me two great travel tips, which are smart, especially considering what’s going on in the travel industry around the world: an influx of passengers, a shortage of workers and inclement weather all coming together to create a perfect storm of lost luggage.
Colleen writes: “Be sure to put a bathing suit in your carry-on, especially if you have children. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a hotel (especially as you know as a dad of two little kids) and you see the pool but don’t have a suit for them to go swimming.”
She’s absolutely right! My kids love the beach and have never seen a pool (or puddle) they didn’t want to jump in. So whenever we travel in summer, or when heading to a warm destination, from now on, we will pack all of our bathing suits in our carry-on bags, just in case our luggage gets lost along the way. Bathing suits don’t take up much room so it’s not a big deal.
I wrote a similar tip a few months ago for when you’re traveling to remote destinations, after a friend of a friend arrived in Bora Bora without her bags and had to spend $150 on a bathing suit in the hotel’s shop. Here’s more advice.
We’ve also started packing wet bags in our checked luggage, which are key for storing wet bathing suits, especially if you like to take one last dip before heading to the airport but don’t know what to do with your wet bathing suit. We use our wet bags all the time.
On a related note, Colleen adds: “No matter where I go, with or without kids, I always bring a bathing suit. You never know when you may need it (and finding one on the fly is not easy, at least for women) so this way I am always prepared if there is a beach, pool, or hot tub to enjoy.” Again, she’s absolutely right. I’ve written about this years ago but it’s a good time for a reminder.
