To Check or Not to Check Your Luggage?

SHOULD YOU EVER CHECK LUGGAGE?

The bottom line is that all business travelers and frequent flyers should carry-on their luggage at all times and never, ever check a bag. That way, you'll never lose a bag and you'll have the flexibility to change flights or airlines if there are delays. You can sail by your fellow passengers at the baggage carousel waiting for their precious bags to come around. The luggage mantra for all frequent flyers is "Pack light and carry-on."

However, sometimes that isn't possible. The dilemma? You've got a full rollerbag, a computer briefcase and a large portfolio filled with key presentation materials. You may be carrying a pocketbook, or a shopping bag with gifts you picked up on the road for your children. You think you might be able to sneak by the flight attendant with the extra luggage. Then again, you might not. Maybe you should just give in and the check the bags. Here are some factors to consider.

• Is the flight full?

This can work both ways. If the flight is full it's going to be harder to squeeze that extra bag in the overhead. The flight attendants are more vigilant and, depending on when you board, that rollerbag may be gate-checked anyway. A full flight means a lengthy process when everyone leaves - by the time you ultimately get to baggage claim, your bag might be waiting there. A full flight also means that there will be many other bags coming down that chute and it might be a longer wait.

• Are you connecting?

If you have a tight connection, you might make it, but your bag might not. Then again, if you have to dash to make the flight a the last gate of the next terminal, do you really want to drag that heavy bag with you? I've run into most of my lost luggage problems connecting from short haul flights on small planes feeding into long haul flights in large aircraft. It really depends on where you are connecting through, also.One colleague finished an eight-stop around-the-world business trip, checking bags at each stop with no problems. Until, that is, the last leg through Denver. The bag dropped of the radar screen and finally showed up two days later.

• Do you have a long layover before your next flight?

If you have time to kill at the airport, you might not want the encumbrance of extra bags. Many airports have been transformed into shopping meccas. If you are connecting through Pittsburgh - one of the best airport shopping opportunities for business travelers - you might want to travel light.

• Do you absolutely, positively have to have what's in the bag?

If you have an 8:00 AM meeting with the CEO at the home office, you don't need your suit and presentation 1,000 miles away. It is a simple rule: if you must have it, don't check it. Keep medication, eye glasses, valuables and key business materials with you at all times.

• How to Get all your Bags on the Flight

The Business Travel team at About is not suggesting that you violate the strict carry-on limits for the airlines. They exist for passenger safety. However, even though airlines are cracking down, there is a great deal of variability in their enforcement. It is easier to get extra bags on board when the flight is not full, you are flying on a larger plane (closets!) and you board early.

• Are you ready to run the gauntlet, past the watchful eye of the flight attendants?

- Don't look overburdened, consolidate as much as possible.

- Drape your coat over the extra bag.

- Piggy-back one bag over another - garment bags are ideal for this tactic.

- Wear business attire and fly first class - somehow the rules seem to bend a little.

- Walk with a minimum of fuss and bother. Be confident, stand tall, don't look guilty.

- If you are caught and asked to gate-check your bags, it is acceptable to try to charm and wheedle - but only for a very brief time. If it doesn't work, be gracious and don't berate the flight attendants. They are only doing their job. Just be sure to get the receipt for your bags.

• Other Strategies

- If you are returning from a convention or large meeting with a great deal of paperwork and presentation material - ship it back to your office. The concierge at your hotel can handle this for you and you can still carry-on your bag.

- If you are traveling with a colleague and they decide to check, you might as well join them. You'll have to wait until they collect their bag anyway.