Do not stuff too many things into your bag, especially heavy items e.g. dumb-bell, bowling ball etc. Use the right bag for the item you carry. There is no bag serve all purpose.

Having another bag for alternate use can lengthen the lifespan of your bag by 50% or more. A bag which you regularly use may last about 6 months. If you alternate its use, the bag may be in good shape even after a year! Ample rest and proper care, reduces the wear and tear effect.

If you cannot avoid putting too many things into your bag, support the bag from the bottom when you carry it. Do not hold only the handles as the weight may put too much strain.

- Handles - check reinforcements and sewing stitches
- Wheels - solid wheels, not flimsy type
- Material - tough and not easily torn material.

By using only carry-on luggage, you do not risk having checked luggage lost or stolen.

While the weight limit for carry-on items is generally about 40 lbs. (18.2 kg.), even a much lighter bag may cause severe injury if it falls out of the bin.

Put your name and contact address on the outside of every bag. Also, put the same information plus a copy of your itinerary inside every bag. This will make it easier for the airline to reunite you if you are separated from your luggage. You should also do this with your carry-on luggage in case you are forced to check that bag at the last minute.

Because there may be many bags with a similar design on a flight, customize the bag to make it easy to spot on a baggage carousel. This will also help prevent another passenger from taking your bag by mistake.

Do not back valuable items in checked luggage. Money, laptop computers, electronic files, and other items of high importance should be kept in a carry-on bag, preferably one that is small enough to stow under a seat. The airline may insist on checking larger carry-on bags if the overhead bins become filled.

Every piece of checked luggage should have a three-letter airport identifier that should match your destination airport. If you are unsure of the three-letter code, ask the ticket agent or skycap.

This stub is a critical document that will be needed if your luggage is lost by the airline or if you are trying to prove that you own a piece of luggage.

If your checked bag does not arrive at your destination, immediately report this problem to the baggage agent on duty or to any other available representative from your airline.

Pack so that you can continue your trip with the loss on one of your bags. Distribute key items like business suits or underwear so that you can carry on with your business until you either get the bag back or replace the lost articles. If you are carrying essential items or information for a business meeting, either carry a backup set of information or have that backup information sent ahead of time.

There are quite a number of items or materials, some of them not so obvious, that may pose a risk if taken on an aircraft. Please review AirSafe.com's list of Things You Should Not Bring On Board for more details.