Airport Series - Checking In Luggage

1. Packing
2. Getting to the Airport
3. Checking In Luggage
4. TSA Security Screening
5. Boarding Gate
6. Immigration

Before we got sidetracked with my father's last minute work trip to British Columbia, we were in the middle of my series on Getting Through Airports with a lap child.

Some parents find getting through airports super stressful (like how I find getting through a jungle gym), especially when they have a young child with them.

But hopefully by knowing what to expect, you can be better prepared and keep your parents calm and relaxed through the whole process.

3. CHECKING IN LUGGAGE

Well, now that you've finally arrived to the airport (1 hour early for domestic flights, 2 hours early for international), you'll have to find your way to the check in line to get your boarding passes and check your luggage.

As you may know, many US carriers have the technology to allow you to check in online up to 24 hours before the flight. This feature is helpful for many of us, but you still have to get to the airport early enough to check your luggage.

Now if you're an infrequent flyer flying in economy class, then you'll have to wait in the long line to drop off your bags with all the other people who don't know how to use the internet, mobile apps or kiosks. This line is one of the 2 that can really delay you (the other being the security line), which is why they recommend you arrive so early to the airport before your flight.

When you do make it to the front, you'll be asked how many bags you want to check and the agent will tag your luggage (sort of like a boarding pass for bags). Make sure the tag has the correct arrival airport code.

For example, when we flew from Newark to Prince Rupert (via Vancouver), our baggage tag said YVR/YPR which tells the baggage handlers where our stuff was heading (YVR = Vancouver, YPR = Prince Rupert; highlight meaning final destination).

If we wanted to pick up our bags at Vancouver, though, our tag would have just said EWR/YVR. Then we could check it again in Vancouver with a new tag that said YVR/YPR.

You'll receive a baggage claim ticket that they'll usually stick to the back of your boarding pass. It will have the same information as the luggage tag with an individual serial code that matches your specific bag. Just in case your luggage gets lost, this code will help the airline track it. I always make my father double check that it has the right airport codes. The last thing I need is for the airline to send my onesies and baby jeans to Toronto (YYZ) when I'm heading to Vancouver (YVR).

Elite Status

However, if you have elite status, you can go to the Business Class check in line (which is always shorter, if not empty) and check your luggage there. In addition to the speedy service, you're bags will get tagged with a Priority Tag that theoretically means your bags get unloaded first when you land.

Elite Status (You Pay For)

You COULD also pay an airport skycap outside at the curb (where the taxi drops you off) to check your bags for you. They're an independent company that works with the airlines. The skycaps will save you from having to wait in line, but cost you a few bucks (usually $1-2/bag).

However, if you're like my parents, every dollar saved is another dollar to spend on future travel.