For the return flight from our awesome NYC trip, my best tripod was packed inside its case with all levers down and then packed with the clothing inside our hard case luggage. May I reiterate? It was a HARD case, not a soft piece of luggage.
While waiting inside the plane, the hubby and I watched through the window as each piece of luggage was thrown down the chute. Not laid on the chute, but thrown onto it which meant that each piece bounced roughly end over end. The handler on the ground then threw each piece of luggage up and through the air until it landed hard once again into the waiting metal baggage cart. Each piece would hit another piece of luggage and both would sometimes bounce one or more times before landing solid.
Even though we did not specifically see our luggage out the plane’s window, we know that it definitely received the same brutal treatment. One wheel of our hard case was barely hanging on, almost completely torn off! My best tripod was a battle amputee with one of the adjustment levers broken off entirely!
Although all travelers know this, it does bear repeating. Absolutely nothing inside a checked bag is completely safe! Remember this when you are deciding whether something breakable should go inside your checked bag or your carry-on.
Heads up on carry-on luggage: If a flight is completely booked, the last zone of passengers to board the plane may have their luggage tagged and thrown below into the cargo area. So folks, even your carry-on luggage is never really safe with an airline.
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* CLICK HERE TO SEE APRIL 2011 EVENTS IN NORTH GA *
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