Car Luggage Carriers

If i book a flight with multiple carriers, do I run the risk of lost luggage or other unforseen issues?

I am going to vegas and have flights booked with three different airlines, United, Us airways, and Frontier. Please tell me about any experiences you have had with mulliple carriers.

Public Comments

1. there's always of chance of that, especially with you usuing 3 different airlines , good luck
2. are you taking 3 differnet airlines to the same destation?(to Las Vegas) how do you plan to take all 3 planes at the same time? or did you just make resevations in case you miss one of the flights? where are you starting from? I'm going assume you are you taking US AIr from Pittsburgh y to Chicago then United to Den then Frontier to las Vegas?
3. I have used multiple carriers on many, many flights and it wasn't a problem. Lost luggage is always a concern. However, you can minimize the chances your bag(s) will be be "lost" for more than a few hours: Check your itinerary. A plane change with less than an hour between flights is asking for "lost" luggage. Avoid overweight or oversize bags. Overweight = anything more than 50 pounds Mark or tag suitcases with something that makes them more distinct. An example would be to attach a strip of colored tape to each side of the bag. It reduces the chance someone might accidentally pick up your bag by mistake at baggage claim (there are millions of black suitcases). Also clearly tag the bags >>> inside and outside <<< with your name and a good phone number + e-mail address (but not your home address). The free tags from the check-in counter are OK. Don't lock your bag(s) or use padlocks. TSA will take extra time to open or cut the locks if they want to inspect your bag(s). Use plastic wire-ties instead of locks. Get to the airport two full hours before your first flight. Learn in advance the 3-letter codes for the airports you will travel through. For example, Los Angelas is LAX, Chicago O'Hare is ORD and New Orleans is MSY. Then watch to make sure the airline agent puts the correct tags on your checked bags. Finally, try to avoid packing anything critical in your checked luggage.
4. It can happen. As a precaution, what I've done in the past, is take an extra set of clothes in my cabin bag, plus toiletries at the permitted size, so I'm covered per se lol. You haven't mentioned where you're flying from, but at some airports your luggage can be on booked so you don't have to worry about collecting and then checking in again. A few years ago I flew into LAX and had to collect luggage there to go through Customs. From there all I had to do was represent it at a transfer desk, where it got placed on my next flight. I did NZx 2 flights/LAX/DEN/CLE and everything was fine. If you're given boarding passes for all flights - keep them safe. You'll have headaches if you lose any. Along with boarding passes, carry any important documentation, passports etc with you. Also remember a direct flight can mean a long wait at connection. I had an almost 10 hour wait inbetween flights at LAX last year waiting for my return connection to NZ. Don't lock your bag, tag it well and lable inside (but hidden)with your name. Coming from NZ i use a Steelers tag - it's bright and easily seen. Make sure you can tell officials what's in your luggage that maybe unusual - eg a certain book or gift, that not every 'black suitcase' may have. Sure the barcode can be safe, but if you drop your copy ... well some people are dishonest. Hope this helps and have fun in Vegas.
5. Oddly, the only time I have had it happen was on a direct single carrier flight from Sydney Australia to Hawaii...my luggage only arrived the day before I came home. I've travelled multiple carriers many time and it has never happened! But the best advice I can give you, is it does happen alot, and if there is any chance you can get away with carry on only, do it...that is the only way you can be sure it will arrive. Vegas is so much fun...have a great time!
6. Ok, let me start by telling you how we work as baggage handlers. Most airlines will run their own bags from one carrier to the other. I work for Delta Airlines and have to run bags on a daily basis to other airlines. When the plane comes in from a destination, a driver will pick up transfer bags going to another airline. They will take the bags to either planeside or to the carriers bagroom. Then that airline will load the bag onto their flight. And when the plane arrives at the next destination, the process is repeated. Now, some issues that may arise are: if you have a quick connection time to the next flight, sometimes your bag(s) will not make it. Some transfer drivers have multiple bags to run to other airlines as well. Your bag may be the last he/she gets to. This is why sometimes the passenger gets on their flight, but, their bags do not. In the same situation however, the bags may get on board, but, the passenger may not make it to the gate in time. And it is sad to say, but, some airline employees just do not make much of an effort to get the job done in a timely manner. They may take their time getting the bags from point A to point B. I hope that you do get your bags on time and I hope that you have a wonderful time in Vegas.