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Top Travel Myths | 2008

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Photo: Sergio Pitamitz/CORBIS

Myth: Checked luggage is often lost.

Reality: Somewhere between 1 and 2 percent of checked luggage doesn't arrive on the same plane with its accompanying owner. Of those bags, the majority are delayed, not lost, and they wind up with the owner in a matter of hours. A very small fraction of checked bags disappear for good.

Current Advice: A delayed bag could make a traveler's life difficult, so it's prudent to avoid checking in late, which increases the chances that your bag won't make it onto the plane. Also, put your contact info inside the bag, so that if it is delayed—or mistakenly grabbed by another passenger—there's no confusion about who the owner is. Never put valuables or fragile items in a checked suitcase. It's just asking for trouble.

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Travel + Leisure

Top Travel Myths | 2008

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