Tracking Luggage?

Concerning the spare phone, it would probably die before everything was said and done and I'm pretty sure you aren't allowed to have batteries in your checked luggage due to possible explosion, but if that is all wrong then check out lookout. You can 'locate' your phone when it's missing.

Is taking everything in a carryon out of the question? I just packed 6 days worth of clothes + two pairs of shoes and dress pants and shirt in a carryon bag.

The checked luggage is just going to have clothes in it, and souveniors for the return flight.

I thought about squeezing everything into the Carry-On, but it's already tight fit. It's going to have the "important" stuff, such as my laptop, dSLR, medications, etc.

Additionally, I think you are right about anything with batteries not being allowed on Checked Luggage. That means no electronics, let alone one that could be turned on for "Lookout."

Overall, my question is more about the principal of airliners always losing luggage. If UPS & Fedex have a near perfect rate of not losing packages, then why are the Airliners so far behind?

You could try squeezing. I don't know how you feel about carrying a "murse" aka man purse but I always take one. I have a big tote bag that I can squeeze under the seat and then stow the rolling luggage up top. You are allowed to have one roller bag and one "personal bag". I stick my laptop, medications, food etc in the tote and keep my clothes in the roller. If your camera has a bag, I'm sure you could stick it in the tote as well. I would personally try it out. You'd save baggage fees and if you have a layover or an extended delay, you have everything you need.

If you can track them online you could always just go to the full website on your phone and track it from there. It's not as convenient as an app, but it would work.

Quote from Comp625 : The checked luggage is just going to have clothes in it, and souveniors for the return flight. I thought about squeezing everything into the Carry-On, but it's already tight fit. It's going to have the "important" stuff, such as my laptop, dSLR, medications, etc. Additionally, I think you are right about anything with batteries not being allowed on Checked Luggage. That means no electronics, let alone one that could be turned on for "Lookout." Overall, my question is more about the principal of airliners always losing luggage. If UPS & Fedex have a near perfect rate of not losing packages, then why are the Airliners so far behind?

I'm kind of confused. First off United doesn't always lose luggage. Sure some carriers do lose stuff from time to time but it's not "always" or anywhere remotely close to it.

Secondly, what kind of system do you think you'd have access to that would actually help you? If there is a system that can say "traveler X's luggage is in location Y" don't you think they would be able to find your luggage and get it to you. Lost luggage happens when for whatever reason they don't have a record of it in a location and no matter what tracking technology, apart from some electronic tracker you put in it that's hooked up to GPS and can tell you over the internet or a cell signal where it is (which frankly would probably cost more than the clothes you'd put in it), is going to tell you where it is...

Honestly, don't worry about it. No matter what you try to do, if they're gonna lose your luggage they're gonna lose your luggage...

I haven't used an android device in awhile. When I did, I had a few apps installed that were free that allowed me to track my phone wherever it went. As long as the battery didn't die. It's a better alternative than the battery powered gps devices that cost $200-300 dollars and require a monthly fee.

Quote from juicycook : You could try squeezing. I don't know how you feel about carrying a "murse" aka man purse but I always take one.

I use a duffel bag or backpack.

Anyway with respect to losing luggage, I personally have never had it happen, mostly because I drive wherever I go. But supposedly you are less likely to lose your luggage if you (I usually tape it) put an itinerary on the inside of your suitcase. That way if it gets lost, supposedly even if the tag is gone, or something and they actually try to find you, they have your info and can get it back to you. Of course if you lose your luggage to a thief, that isn't going to work.

How would a gokode be any better than just a sticker or tag with your contact info? I would be more inclined to return something with that than some QR code contraception.