helpful info - airline, flight, and luggage tips

For those who like to fly or fly a lot or will be flying soon:

Airlines that still allow some free luggage to be checked in:
Choose an airline with no or lower fees for checked baggage. Southwest doesn't charge for checked bags, and some airlines, including Delta, AirTran, Virgin America, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue, still let you check one bag for free.

Pack light to make the most of your baggage allowance. Weigh your packed suitcases to make sure they don't go over your airline's weight limit, which is typically 50 pounds per bag. Be sure to leave room for souvenirs. If you don't know your airline's baggage weight limit, read your contract of carriage to find out how much each bag should weigh.

Weigh and measure your carry-on bag, too. Carry-on weight limits range from 16.5 pounds (Virgin America) to 40 pounds (Delta). Carry-on item dimensions vary by airline and type of aircraft. Some airlines don't publish carry-on bag weight limits on their websites, so it's a good idea to check your contract of carriage to be sure you know if such a limit exists.

If you fly often, stick to one airline so that you can build up enough frequent flyer miles to attain "elite" or "premier" status. Once you hit this milestone, you won't be charged checked baggage fees.

Rent large items you'll only use once or twice, such as golf clubs, skis, scuba gear, surfboards or bicycles. It's often less expensive to rent sports equipment than to check it as baggage, particularly if you already plan to check two bags. Some airlines charge as much as $100 for your third checked bag – and that's only for a one-way flight.

Personal tips I want to share with you about flying:
1) always pack your suitcase with items that you are prepared to lose if your suitcase doesn't make it to your destination (I have known many people whose luggage was misplaced, didn't make the connecting flight, lost, stolen). So pack things that you can buy again (clothes, shoes, etc and NOT personal memories, expensive things, etc).
The airline does not reimburse you for every single thing in your luggage, there is a limit. Plus personal items and memories are irreplaceable.

2) Always keep your carry on items in view, esp if they contain expensive items. People's laptop computers and other carry on baggage have been stolen from the overhead compartments so keep your carry on items with you or in view at least.
Don't trust anyone :-)

3) If you lose your luggage, keep calling the airport - they do not deliver it automatically to you.

Happy safe travels!
:-)