What happens to my bags after check-in?
Sit back and grab a cup of tea because as promised here is a run down of that great mystery:
What happens to my luggage after I check in? As told by a former airline baggage handler of yesteryear…
You should always have your identification on your suitcase and inside your case, including a phone number.
At the ticket counter or check-in kiosk a bag tag is produced with info concerning your flight number, airline and destination; your name and maybe the time you checked your bag. It is sent then to a sorting room where they are screened via x-ray, sometimes sniffed by chemical detection dogs, sometimes personally checked with a master key. This is why it is important to have a TSA approved lock so they do not have to open it with another device and then reseal your case, where at times, duck tape has been used. Then the bag is placed on a cart assigned to a specific plane (flight number) going to your destination. Bags go out on the tarmac to the designated planes via tug. A conveyer belt is driven up to the belly of the plane. The inside of the plane is a stainless steel, rounded compartment. There is very heavy netting attached to the ceiling. These are used to divide the sections according to the different locations that the airplane will touch down. Planes are usually routed to touch down in 2-3 places per direction. Generally the luggage going to last stop goes in first, making those bags toward the back. The bags are stacked, then netting is pulled down over and attached to the floor.
Then the second stop is in the middle and the first stop closest to the door. If that arrangement varies or if one section is too full and cases have to be in another section, that info is then sent via messenger by computer to the down line airport so they will know to look for those suitcases and remove them. This is why it is good to get to the airport early to check your bags. Checking at the door, not always, but at times, creates luggage going in the last minute and not always possible to be in the correct netted area. But the communication is good, has gone on for years and it is tracked. Most bags checked at the last minute get to their proper destination just fine. The rankings and ratings of baggage mishandling is tracked and monitored and the airlines are held accountable. These stats are public knowledge.
If you miss your connecting flight due to air traffic or maintenance or weather then chances are your bag missed the flight too and will continue on via another route to your destination, often times following your same re-accommodation, but not always. If you missed your flight due to your own fault then chances are your bag went on without you. After a reasonable amount of time circling on the baggage carousel at the destination, it gets removed and put into the airlines holding area until you arrive.
There is continuous analysis’ done to determine the weight per flight/aircraft. Based on how many passengers and their projected average weight, their carry- on, pets on board, baby seats, instruments, etc. This determines how much room is available in the overhead compartments. The staff at the gate is notified just prior to boarding with set space available and that is when they are instructed to gate check bags. It has nothing to do with the gate agents so it does you NO GOOD at all to voice your complaints to them. Blaming your fellow passengers might be in order, but not the gate agents.
Once the plane lands, baggage handlers rush to the plane with their portable conveyer belt. They pop open the bin, unhook the proper nettings for their location, pull the bags out, and place on the conveyer belt. Handlers at the bottom of the belt, load a cart pulled by a tug and drive to the baggage claim area to be placed on the conveyer belt labeled with your flight number.
You can help this process by checking your bag in plenty of time prior to you departure, by identifying your bag easily, and by packing efficiently, not going over the weight limits.
Remember aircraft has limitations as to weight so it can get off the ground. If every passenger has 100 lb. in luggage then less people/less luggage are going to be able to get on the plane. That then drives prices up, as airlines aren’t covering their costs with fewer passengers. Fuel is expensive, so is staff, maintenance, insurance, etc. This is why they charge for over weight bags, encouraging you to stay within the limits.
PACK lightly and efficiently.
Either through higher airfare, baggage fees, or the rental fees at your destination, you’re going to pay the cost. So take your golf clubs and skis, skateboards, surfboards, etc. and pay the costs at the airport ‘or ' rent them at your destination. You are going to pay the price one way or another.
Heavier packers traveling in North America and in no rush would be wise to consider taking the train or bus.
If you are traveling using more than one airline carrier, it will be necessary to find out if the 2 carriers have baggage agreements. If so, messages are sent via computers letting the other carrier know where/when you baggage arrives and where it is stored. They will handle it for you. But if the two or more carriers do not have an agreement, chances are you will have to retrieve your own luggage during layover and recheck it on to your next location with the next carrier.
By all means, check with your carrier or travel agent.
