Checking out your bag? While your temptation might be strong enough to put everything into your bag and reduce the load that you are carrying, particularly if you have got a layover, there’re some items that you must not place in the checked luggage. Let us read more to avoid making any dreadful mistake on the next getaway.
Packing is the worst and tiresome part to handle when going on the trip, besides returning from the vacation. It is one kind of skill that takes a good amount of practice to master. Suppose you are flying, there is some set of rules that you need to play by to successfully and safely pack your stuff.
If you are planning to check the bags when traveling, it is useful to have some idea as to what you must carry on with you on the place, what you may safely place in the checked baggage, or what to leave at home. Ensure the following items are not stashed into your checked luggage —you will make this to your destination trouble-free.
1. ID and Passport
This one must be quite obvious to many travelers. You will have to show your passport and ID to make it through airport security and TSA, thus putting all these documents in the checked bag can impact your travels. Even though you have got the passport, but your other identification must be kept with you instead of tossed in the luggage.
We recommend you keep all your ID proof materials and cash in the passport holder. Because you do not know when the luggage can get lost or you will not want to leave without the original documents. It is good to keep the copies of these documents in your baggage, but the real ones must be with you all the time.
2. Lithium Batteries
Lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries can be allowed only in the carry-on baggage. The lithium-metal (or non-rechargeable) batteries have to be limited to just 2 grams of the lithium per battery, whereas lithium-ion (or rechargeable) batteries must be limited to over 100 watt-hours battery (an average traveler can easily meet such requirements). Some carry-on suitcases, especially from the top brands, have got removable chargers, thus if you end up wanting to check the bag, do not forget to remove the charger & carry this on your plane.
3. Jewelry or Other Valuables
It is a kind of open secret that the TSA workers are known to steal away from the luggage. It has been noted in many instances, at some famous Airports that luggage handlers were cash, stealing jewelry, or other valuables, which includes iPhones and iPads.
Whereas the loss of your sentimental jewelry stuff can be disturbing, what stings is a fact that the majority of airlines do not take any responsibility to protect your valuables — yes, although you might be paying the fee to check the luggage. You can get your renters, homeowners, and travel insurance for covering any loss, but the smarter options will be planning ahead to protect all your valuables.
The zipper can fly open or dishonest workers can go thieving. Do not put anything in the checked baggage that you will hate to lose, in case.
4. Medicine on Go
Maintaining your health when travelling is very important to the successful trip and it means packing or remembering to take regular medications. Also, medicine is the important things that you will leave out of the checked bag. You need to always carry some days’ worth, in case, not your entire travel supply, in the carry-on if anything happens to your suitcase.
There are some special rules for the medications, however, these differ by country. You need to check with your country that you are flying out for their rules, and in many cases, you have to let screening agents know that you got liquid medication besides one-quart baggage you are permitted.
5. Laptop, Camera or Other Electronics
Suppose the stolen iPhones and iPads do not convince you not to store any electronics goods in your luggage, consider that your baggage goes through on the journey. So, all it needs is a rough toss from the luggage handler who’s trying to get the whole thing on a plane and you come to know how easily something highly valuable can break in the transit.
Yes, the laptop will be heavy and digital SLR will be bulky, so carrying all these things on the journey will definitely be one big pain. But, if you wish to travel with the electronics, you may either choose to do everything at your power and keep them secure or you will be keen to pay the cost to replace them in case there is any incident. What will you rather do?
6. Baby Essentials
Baby diapers, formula, wipes, and other necessities must be thrown in your diaper bag or maybe backpack, and have enough that can last you for 24 – 48 hours. Delays do happen. And airports do not always have got baby items in their shops. Worse than that, shops might be closed when your flight gets cancelled. Formula or pacifiers are quite specific to every child.
Never get stuck as you sealed everything you want for your small one in the checked bag. The airline will not always give the bag back only when your flight is cancelled or delayed and you need to sleep in the hotel overnight. Suppose you pack smart, then you will not be stuck with the soggy child and crankier parents.
7. Lighters, Matches, E-Cigarettes, or Vaping Pens
According to the TSA’s handy checklist, passengers can only bring one single book of the safety matches in their carry-on bag, and not in the checked airport luggage. Striking matches anywhere are prohibited. The disposable or zippo lighters without the fuel can also be brought in the carry-ons and two fueled lighters have to be packed in the checked bag if it is enclosed in the DOT approved cases.
The e-cigs or vape pens should be taken in the carry-on, and must never be packed in your checked baggage. Flammable or explosive items are generally prohibited in carry-on & checked luggage both. Camping gear that is used for the fires or cooking, like a camping stove, will be considered flammable. Keep in mind that their standards or rules for “cleaned” may be stricter.
8. Cash/Money
Traveling with money is quite tricky. You may not need to have plenty of cash in the wallet because you’re worried about pickpockets at your destination, or afraid that something may fall out of the bag when you are in the transit. Suppose you have got plenty of money with you, then you might be a little hesitant to pass down the security with a lot of cash.
Thus, it is tempting to put this all in your checked luggage and do not worry about this. But, there is a real risk to lose your money if you put this in your airport luggage. The main culprits are the damaged luggage that can open en-route or dishonest airport workers that will take away the items from the travelers’ luggage on the random screenings.
9. Makeup Kits
You might think that you must throw away your makeup kit in your checked luggage, and you can, however, if you have the expensive makeup kit, which you do not wish to part with, then pack this in your handbag. It is important on international flights or you have multiple connections. Certain items that are not replaced easily must always be taken on personally.
10. Things Prohibited By Law
It’s no brainer, but it is definitely worth to mention: take the good and hard look at a list of the prohibited items and do not pack them. This can speed up your screening process and make sure that you (your luggage) can board the plane without any problem. Suppose you are not very sure whether something is prohibited or not, you must take the picture and send across to the Airport Official for the prompt response!
Bottom Line
Much like your favorite jewelry, cameras, laptops, iPads or other electronics are highly valuable belongings for you. You will never want to risk this being broken and stolen, so carry them along with you – — or you can opt for the unplugged vacation and extra “me time.”
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