|
| |
|
 Kevin's
Travel Tips
Although each of these tips has
value, I don't make any claims for their legitimacy or advisability.
In other words, I hereby abdicate all responsibility for these tips
--you
are on your own! |
| Strap it. I always
put a bright, easily visible luggage strap around my locked suitcase or duffel before I check it with an
airline. This helps thwart thieves, helps keep things together if the suitcase
should break or accidentally open, and makes it easier to identify on the luggage
carousel. |
|
| Lock it. Get some of those
inexpensive travel locks from the travel department of your favorite discount store or
travel shop and LOCK EVERYTHING UP. Use them to fasten zipped compartments, handles,
and so on. This keeps thieves at the hotel/lodge/camp (even among luggage handlers --it
happens), , etc., from going for your bag first --let them spend their
time on a case somebody forgot to lock. I have painted my collection of travel locks
with dots of model paint (fingernail polish works, too) that match identically colored
dots I've put on the keys. I keep a set of keys in my coin purse and one in my
camera bag (in case I lose the first set). You can also use these locks to secure
your tent zippers at night to ward off intruders.
Special note for air travel: DO
NOT lock your checked luggage. It may have to be broken into by
the Feds if they need to do a hand search. Instead, use a cable
tie strap or (my preference) a little piece of hardware called a link
connector or quick link (ordinarily used to connect links of a
chain). A small snap may also work OK for you. I still
suggest that you lock your carryon luggage, however.
|
|
| Mark it. I always have SEVERAL
easy-to-spot markings on my luggage. Since I buy off-the-shelf luggage my duffel
looks the same as many others parading around the baggage claim area and it's far too easy
for someone to walk off (even accidentally) with my bag --or me with theirs. So I
have a distinctive strap , a distinctive luggage tag, and often a
distinctive ribbon or other "add on."
Large, neon tags and other marking accessories are usually available at your local travel
store or one of the travel outfitters on my
recommended list. If you travel on one of my study tours, you'll get a
spiffy, designer studytour.org tag that
will be the envy of all your friends and neighbors. |
|
| Check on it. When traveling alone or in a
group, ALWAYS double check that your luggage has been loaded into the safari vehicle,
bus/coach, taxi, or whatever --don't assume that the travel leader or driver has counted
or checked for you. Always make sure that YOU HAVE SEEN YOUR LUGGAGE in the vehicle
before it leaves. |
|
| Pay for it. Cheap luggage is just
that --cheap! Is it really worth spilling the contents all over the road to the
Serengeti? |
|
| Carry it. After you load it up (completely --no cheating here!), then walk around the
block with your luggage. You may have to be doing that in an airport or at
your destination. If you can't do it, then lighten the load. You
don't want to make this discovery AFTER YOU ARE THERE. For a really
accurate simulation, take your "luggage test drive" after you've been
awake all night. |
  |
|
Don't forget your "MacGyver
pack". This is a tip originally received
from "Safari Ann" Warner at the Oakland Zoo. Remember that old TV series, MacGyver?
Richard Dean Anderson played a guy who traveled the world
getting people (including himself) out of scrapes. In travel groups we
call them "adventures." Anyway, he always uses some handy little
pocket knife or belt buckle or paper clip to rig up something that saved the
day. Not only as a group leader, but also as an individual traveler, I
always carry two packs with handy things that might be useful in
commonly-encountered jams:
- Health Pack: This kit
contains bandages, ointments, over-the-counter and prescription
medications for any emergency, and other health or first-aid-related
items. Click here for particular items
you may want to include.
- Hardware Pack: This
kit contains mini-tools such as an extra Swiss army knife, pocket plier/wrench/tool
set, rope, clips, rubber bands, sewing kit, mini-tarp, extra batteries,
etc. Note: Duct tape is an ESSENTIAL travel companion and the most
useful part of any MacGyver pack. I recommend carrying one roll in
an easily accessible spot in your carry-on and another back-up roll in
your MacGyver pack. You can get small rolls, ideally in a color to
match your luggage, at any Walmart or home supply store. Wrap each
roll in plastic so the edges won't stick to other items. Then, when
your luggage rips or the clasps fail you can repair it easily, speedily,
and securely! I've also used it to repair safari vehicles and even
mirrors on big coaches --it can do almost anything!
|
Click the image
for more info!
 
Click the image
for more info!
 
|
|
What do they do with all
that UNCLAIMED luggage, you ask?
Well, they sell some of
it! Check out
www.unclaimedluggage.com for more on how to buy what others have left
behind. And lots of travel tips, too! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This page was last edited on
04/01/07.
|
