How to protect your suitcase from damage during air travel - recommendations from Allo. Types of films for packing luggage. Self-packing luggage - important nuances

When your luggage travels unattended, as happens on flights, there are many dangers. The most common is the theft of valuables.

When traveling by plane, money, jewelry, equipment and documents must be taken in hand luggage, and not checked in. If you've packed your camera or jewelry in your suitcase, blame yourself when you don't find them when you arrive. We will tell you how to protect your suitcase from thieves during the flight.

Luggage protection

For travel, you need to choose a quality suitcase. However, it should not be too expensive so as not to attract the attention of intruders.

The means of protection are belts and padlocks on the suitcase. Built-in combination locks are considered more reliable, and stretch film packaging is considered the #1 protective agent. Of course, the film does not always protect against theft, but if it is torn, this proves that someone has rummaged through the suitcase.

The customs service has the right to remove the protective film and open the luggage. In this case, a tag will be hung on the suitcase stating that the inspection was carried out without the presence of the passenger. If you find that there is no film, you need to check as soon as possible whether all things are in place. If something is missing, first make a claim to the customs representative in the country of entry.kbp.aero

Many tourists prefer to wrap the suitcase with foil on their own. However, later, if the film breaks, it will be difficult to prove that it was at all. If you pack your luggage at the airport, they will give you a check in your hands, and there will be nothing to complain about.

Some airlines offer a service where you can officially declare the value of your baggage. In the event of theft, you are required to pay the claimed amount.

In case of luggage theft

If you still have stolen valuables, you need to contact the baggage service at the airport. Representatives of the service will offer you to fill out an application for theft of luggage. Please note that it must be issued on the day of arrival.

If you do not find the Baggage Service, then contact the Lost & Found counter (“Lost and Found”), which is usually located next to the baggage claim area, or to the police station. The main thing is to write a statement and receive a document confirming the theft, with the date and details of the issuing organization.

The next step is to file a written claim with the airline. You only have a week to do this. The claim must be accompanied by a statement of theft, air ticket, boarding pass and baggage receipt. You can also attach photos of your suitcase with a torn film or a broken lock.

If the luggage was stolen during departure or arrival in the native Boryspil, then the press secretary international airport Oksana Ozhigova recommends sending a claim to the airport's postal address, leaving a message on an open telephone line or on the website. Upon the fact of theft of luggage, an internal internal investigation will be carried out, which will help to establish whether illegal access to the luggage was carried out, and which movers transported it.

Judging by the statistics voiced by Boryspil, in the national air harbor There are fewer and fewer thieves. Thus, in May 2012, the airport received 25 complaints about the theft of things during the flight (7 thefts for every 200,000 passengers). But in May 2013, only 4 people were missing luggage (1 theft for every 200 thousand passengers).

Submit your evidence

The fact that you really lost things, you still have to prove. Evidence can be a damaged stretch film, a baggage tag indicating the weight of the checked baggage, and documents proving ownership of the stolen items. These include sales receipts for purchases and a customs declaration for personal items.

The customs declaration must be kept until the end of the trip. So you will have confirmation that the thing was really in your luggage. Declaration of personal belongings exported and imported back is a free procedure.

There is a small nuance with sales receipts: purchases worth more than 1000 € must be declared upon entering Ukraine, and almost no one does this. When a sales receipt is available, but the goods are not declared, it turns out that the passenger is also a violator who is obliged to pay tax. If the purchased item is really very valuable for you, then it is better to declare it.

Compensation

On average, compensation for damage or damage to baggage is $ 20 per 1 kg of baggage. Also, the court may appoint additional compensation for court and other costs associated with the trial.

Most often, travelers face the problems of carrying luggage on transit flights. Therefore, first of all, you need to choose a direct flight or with one or two connections. Well, if there is enough time between flights. The longer you spend at the airport, the more time the movers will have to sort and load your luggage.

When purchasing this or that suitcase, pay more attention to its strength. If you have chosen a budget plastic suitcase, then you risk getting it at the airport with cracks or dents. To date, suitcases made of are considered the most durable. Such luggage will be durable, light and comfortable. In addition, manufacturers give a long warranty period for such products.

To protect your luggage, you can use the services of insurance companies: take out extended travel insurance or purchase this service together with medical insurance.

Many airlines offer insured baggage. To do this, you need to contact the airline in advance, present your luggage for inspection. If you valued your belongings for less than 20,000 rubles, then you do not need to present documents confirming their value. If the employee agrees with the amount you declared, then you pay the established fee and calmly go on board.

Each airport has a point where your suitcase will be packed in a thick film. This will protect your luggage from dirt, as well as from burglary. Not a single robber wants to mess with the film, and with the locks.

You should also not buy a super expensive suitcase or bag. Thieves will flock to an expensive suitcase like bees to honey.

Do not be lazy and make your own tag on the suitcase, on which indicate your contacts. Such a measure will help to find you if the luggage tag comes off.

Be sure to buy a suitcase lock. Robbers have limited time and will likely prefer to get into a bag without a lock than try to pick the lock or pick the code.

If there is a problem with your luggage, then there is no need to delay. As soon as you notice damage to your luggage, or did not wait for your bag at all, you should contact the Lost & Found service (lost and found office).

Packing luggage for an airplane is one of the most important procedures that are performed while traveling. This seemingly simple task is quite difficult to handle on your own, and therefore many tourists use paid luggage packing services provided at almost every airport. With properly collected and packed luggage, the procedure for inspecting things is noticeably simplified.(as well as transportation), moreover, this measure protects against theft - it is easier to open an unprotected bag to get valuable things out of there. How to pack luggage on the plane yourself? Today you will learn about it!

On a note! Packing rules may vary slightly depending on the specific airport. For example, solid reliable suitcases with a combination lock do not need to be wrapped, since they are almost impossible to break or damage. As for soft bags, they must be packed, but open bags are generally not accepted as baggage.

What is the purpose of baggage wrapping?

Your luggage will only be admitted to check-in if it is securely wrapped and there is no doubt that it could be damaged during loading/transport. It is recommended to pack even luggage with a solid frame that fully meets all requirements, and there are several reasons for this.

Note! Try not to fill your bag with things to the eyeballs! The porters are not very careful with luggage strong blow or pressure, the clasp may fail, resulting in the entire contents being on the floor.

How much will the packaging cost?

This question is of interest to those who do not have the desire or time to engage in self-packaging. Each airport has special packing machines, which are usually located at the entrance or check-in counters. There are also control scales with which you can check. Sometimes the weighing service is provided free of charge, but often you still have to pay for it (about 50 rubles), but automatic scales work for about half a minute, so you can find out the weight of three or four bags at a time.

On a note! In addition, bags can be weighed at the registration desks, which are free from employees.

You can pack your luggage with your own hands or with the help of local employees - they will give all the necessary recommendations. Packaging racks have wrapping instructions, as well as all required materials.

What is the specific cost of packing luggage in the capital?

1. Vnukovo, Sheremetyevo. Here, for one bag weighing less than 32 kg, you will have to pay about 350-500 rubles, and if over 32 kg - about 700.
2. Domodedovo. In this case, it all depends on the particular airline. For example, Aeroflot customers can pay bonus miles(2,200 units) if they apply to PACK&FLY. Customers of other airlines need to pay 500-600 rubles for one bag, while the packaging process itself will take no more than 2 minutes.

In Domodedovo, packing racks are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to PACK&FLY, other companies provide such services - VEKS UPAK, Truestar. But the first one is still more popular, because it provides various discounts, packs the luggage of WWII veterans for free, sells special protection against hacking, and gives many other nice bonuses.

Self-packing luggage - important nuances

If you want to save money, you can try to do everything yourself. To do this, you will have to buy all the required materials and follow some simple rules. Bags can be wrapped with adhesive tape and cling film (it is sold in all household chemical stores).

But before that, you need to put things right. How to do it?

Master Class. Travel packing

If you pack things correctly, then the bags will not be packed to the stop, and fragile things will not be damaged. To do this, just follow the instructions.

Step 1. See how long the flight will take. The list of things that you take with you will depend on the goal, and their number will depend on the duration.

Step 2 Take the essentials - clothes, shoes, underwear. Give preference to interchangeable things to reduce their number. For example, you can wear a smart or casual blouse with jeans, while matching the top with a hot pink skirt will be fraught with certain difficulties. Pick up accessories to spice up your outfit - a scarf will be a great decoration, but it will take up little space.

Step 3 Check the docs. You will need a passport to board the plane. Also take bank card, but you don’t need to take “everything in a row”!

Step 4 Flight information should be in an easily accessible pocket of your bag/suitcase. Such a measure will be especially useful if it takes place at the self-service counter (they acquire in last years increasing popularity).

Step 5 It is not recommended to take a lot of shoes. Enough and two pairs, and regardless of how long the trip will last. The shoes themselves are heavy and take up a lot of space, so take one pair for every day and one for going out. You can save more more space if one of these pairs will be on you at the airport.

Step 6 Should I bring my own toiletries? Deodorants and toothpastes are sold everywhere.

Step 7 Take the bare minimum.

Step 8 Don't forget to bring a first aid kit with painkillers and essential medicines.

Important! The main rule is to take a thing if you use it more than three times. In addition, it is better to take all valuables in hand luggage (the fact is that luggage can get lost).

Now that all things are collected, we can talk directly about packaging. There are several ways, consider each of them in more detail.

Types of films for packing luggage:

Film type	Photo	Description
Luggage stretch film		Protection for luggage and prevent scratches and dirt. Film characteristics: width: 250 m, length: 30 m, thickness: 20 µm
Film for self-wrapping luggage		The versatility of this film lies in packing things in everyday life (including books, skirting boards, curtains, linoleum during transportation, wheels, etc.). Choice of color
Stretch film		This is an excellent film made from low density polyethylene. It wraps various items during transportation and long-term storage. This material stretches to 330% of its original size.
cling film		Food film is indispensable for packaging and storage of any products. At the same time, it retains freshness, aroma and vitamins. Protects products from drying out and moisture loss

Beautiful and bright stretch covers can be of different sizes, have various interesting patterns. Very convenient way, at least when compared with the one described below (you don’t have to mess with each time cling film). In addition, such covers look much more attractive.

cling film

Table. Baggage Packing Instructions.

Note! Baggage wrapped in cling film, outwardly differs from the rest in transparency. The fact is that the polyethylene used at airports is denser, and therefore not transparent. However, you can place a piece of paper with contact details under the top layer of packing material to mark your suitcase. It will also help, if the luggage is lost, to find it.

Video - How luggage is packed at the airport

Special belts

Let's get acquainted with another device - special straps for suitcases. But, as it seems to us, they are suitable only for protection against accidental opening of the suitcase during transportation. Belts certainly will not protect against breaking and pollution.

Another plus of the belts is that if they are cut off in order to get into the suitcase, you will know about it as soon as you receive the luggage at the airport. And this is very important.

What to do if the suitcase is damaged?

Damaged baggage - what to do

If you notice obvious signs of tampering on your luggage, or if your bag was damaged during transportation due to the fault of airport employees, you may well demand compensation. To do this, follow the following algorithm.

1. Immediately after detection, it is required to fix the fact of opening the luggage.
2. Next, you need to provide data on baggage (these can be special tags, boarding passes And so on).
3. The next step is to search for a representative office (it must be at the airport) or employees of the airline that made the flight.
4. After that, a claim form is filled out, detailed personal data and the required amount of payment are indicated.
5. After the stamps are delivered, copies of all papers left with airline workers should be made.

Now all that remains is to wait for the representatives of the carrier company to call you back. As for the amount of compensation, it is usually about 10 US dollars per 1 kg of baggage.

As a result, we note that exactly where you will pack your bags - at the airport or at home - depends on your financial condition and skills. If you know for sure that you can wrap your suitcase properly, you can save a little on this. At the same time, airport packers using special machines can ensure the safety and effective protection of luggage, so this option more reliable. Even more costly.

Video - Baggage Wrapping Equipment

When we collect our things in a suitcase in anticipation of the upcoming trip, the last thing we think about is the possibility of losing them or damaging the suitcase itself. And if this happens, then most of us do not pay due attention and write off everything as ordinary bad luck.

However, many do not "give the cause a descent" and seek compensation for the material damage caused. Of course, this takes time and patience. Not everyone wants to spend another 1-2 hours after a long flight filling out paperwork and processing damage to luggage.

So how can you prevent your suitcase from breaking or your belongings from being stolen from there?

1. According to statistics, the reason for the loss of baggage in 70% of cases is the minimum connecting time between flights. As a rule, after a few days, the suitcase still finds its owner, but it’s better not to take risks and, if possible, buy tickets in such a way that the connection between flights is at least 2 hours. After all, the longer the suitcase will be listed as "missing", the more likely the fact that they will try to open it and pull out one or two things. If your baggage was lost and suddenly found after a while, then it will be delivered to you at the specified address. However, often appearance suitcase leaves much to be desired. In this situation, return the suitcase back to the airline and DO NOT sign any documents under any circumstances. On the next or same day, you need to drive up to the office of the airline and file all damages accordingly.

2. There is a misconception that plastic suitcases are more durable. Unfortunately, when hit or dropped, they break easily, unlike suitcases made of dense material (such as tarpaulin). However, with regard to the safety of the contents of the suitcase, then, of course, plastic is more reliable. Therefore, valuable advice: use a suitcase made of practical material, but securely and tightly pack its contents (especially fragile items). In addition, it is desirable take not expensive and not soiled suitcases with you. The ideal color is gray, red or streaked, in general, one that will not show dirt if the loader inadvertently drops the suitcase on the dirty floor.

3. All things put in tight plastic bags(you can have several things in each).

4. When packing things, all fragile items must be wrapped in towels and clothes, and food and cosmetics should be placed in tight bags with a good zip lock (you can also resort to adhesive tape) so that nothing spills and does not spoil expensive clothes. Besides, pack the contents very tightly and without gaps so that nothing "dangles". If things turned out to be less than the volume of the suitcase, then it is better to fill empty places with crumpled newspapers in order to avoid damage to fragile items and broken bottles and perfumes.

5. Best take a picture of the contents of the suitcase or, in extreme cases, to make a detailed inventory. In the event of the disappearance of certain things, this will serve not only as a memory of them, but also as proof. If there expensive items, then the best of them DO NOT check in baggage and take it with you in hand luggage. But, if this is not possible, then be sure to take receipts confirming the cost (in case such an item is lost, they will come in handy).

6. A special conversation about a combination lock in suitcases. This thing is not reliable at all, especially if it is hit well. The suitcase may not open, but very often the code gets lost, which will be a big problem if customs asks you to open the suitcase. In addition, such a lock is quite easy to crack. In this case it's better hang a few ordinary locks(like mini barns). They are also easy to open, but if a potential thief looks at your suitcase with three locks, then obviously he will choose the next one with one combination lock. After all, thieves also have limited time.

7. Ask at the airport at check-in to have your suitcase labeled fragile luggage(even if there is nothing like it). Forklifts handle such signs with relative care.

8. Preferably for a suitcase hang not only decals (preferably several pieces), but also data with your full name and address so that the chances of mixing suitcases are reduced.

9. Make sure the weight of the baggage was accurately reflected on the baggage tag and ticket, pasted on the cover of your ticket. Some airlines have a habit of rounding down weights when filling manually.

10. Many airports have bag wrapping service. This can help prevent damage to the wheels, frame, and retractable handle. However, some this service it is too expensive. If so, before you give your suitcase to the tape, wrap it with tape a few times, which will reduce the likelihood of loss of contents and breakage of the suitcase itself. In addition, the “cutting” will help you immediately notice if your suitcase has been hacked. This will be the first reason to check the availability and safety of things.

11. The most beautiful way out is baggage insurance. But, unfortunately, this service is not available in all countries.

If suddenly you were the unfortunate owner of a broken suitcase or things stolen from it, then you should allocate some time for the official registration of compensation for material damage. This process is similar.

Finally, a little anecdote:

In an Aeroport:
- For the second time they are pulling things out of the suitcase! I need to buy a good lock.
- And I don’t have a lock at all, but nothing is ever stolen from a suitcase.
- And what do you carry there?
- Trap...

This can also serve as a kind of advice for travelers ...

Have a successful flight without loss and grief!

Victoria Mandis

Traveling by train

On trains long distance theft is common. Luggage is often located in accessible places, and passengers, having gone to the dining car or toilet, leave it unattended for a long time.

Be careful while traveling by train. Anyone can turn out to be a thief - both a good-natured gray-haired old man and a lonely young girl.

Wear simpler clothes, and it’s better to refuse jewelry altogether - there’s no reason to attract too much attention to yourself. Keep money and documents separately, prepare tickets for verification in advance so that you do not have to dig into your bag, showing the contents to everyone present.

6 main safety rules

Store bags and suitcases with things under the bottom shelf. Always keep a small handbag with you, putting it under your pillow during sleep or covering it with bulky items (if possible from the side of the window).

If there was no space under the bottom shelf and you had to put your luggage on the top (third) shelf, take care of the sound effects that will serve as an alarm in case someone decides to touch your things. It might be crumpled plastic bottles, packages - preferably those that make a strong rustling, or a children's squeaker toy.

Do not leave your wallet, phone, tablet and other gadgets in sight.

When traveling in a compartment car, keep the doors closed, especially when you are sleeping. Use a padlock to be sure. It is located at the door jamb in the upper left corner. To protect against professionals, it is also recommended to lay small objects under the blocker - Matchbox or eraser.

Establish contact with fellow travelers. Find out at which station they need to get off - try to wake up by this time and follow their fees. Cases when passengers accidentally (or maybe not accidentally!) grabbed someone else's luggage are not uncommon.

When leaving a compartment, do not tell other passengers where you are going and when you will return. If you are asked a direct question, answer that you will be in just a couple of minutes.

Traveling by plane

Traveling by plane is a little more complicated. You give your bags to strangers already at the airport and do not know anything about their fate until you arrive at the place. You will not be able to control who and how many times touched your things, but you are simply obliged to take the most elementary measures for their safety.

5 Important Rules for Protecting Your Baggage in Flight

Take care of the safety of things in advance. Compose full list what you have taken and, if possible, take photographs of the items that are most valuable and important to you. Then, if you lose them, you will not have to explain to the airport staff for a long and tedious time how they looked. Don't forget to take pictures of bags and suitcases.

If you would like your bags to be handled more carefully, place a sticker on your luggage at check-in stating that you are carrying fragile items. As a rule, such luggage is transported more carefully.

To protect your luggage from being opened, spend a few hundred rubles wrapping your suitcase with foil. Such devices are installed in the departure halls at most airports in our country. Suitcases are tightly wrapped in several layers - it can be difficult to open such luggage yourself later. In addition, the film will keep the contents if the fasteners on the suitcase break during transportation.

Never store anything of real value in suitcases. Transportation rules allow you to take a few kilograms on board hand luggage. These restrictions are sufficient for carrying expensive gadgets and jewelry in the cabin.

To speed up the search for luggage in case of loss, make your suitcase as conspicuous as possible. Invest in special tags on which you can write the name and contact number of the owner. Buy bags and suitcases from the same collection, preferably in bright colors, or decorate your luggage with the same large stickers.