I just read a story about a woman who lost a suitcase. The suitcase containing a lot of valuable items, was apparently stolen by a fellow passenger she befriended, on a train going from London to Wales. Paddington to Swansea.
I have taken that train many times. When do you need to watch your luggage? And what can you do? Let's start with a flight to the UK.
How To Pick An Aircraft Compartment
On the aircraft, your luggage can go in an overhead locker. But what if you move seats? Or, if you arrive on the aircraft late, and your luggage has to be placed in a locker further away? I make a point of keeping my belongings immediately overhead. When you alight, you don't want to have to move back down the aisle which is blocked by people with their own luggage on the floor in the way.
On one occasion, I saw another late passenger move my bag out of the overhead locker. For a moment I thought he was trying to steal it. Then I saw him put it into the next compartmentso he could get his larger bag into the compartment by my seat. I protested. I looked for a member of staff to interceded.
Luckily, along came the air hostess who stopped to help. She wasn't interested in first come first served, nor ladies don't want trouble. She then tried to move my luggage away.
My policy is that you don't argue with airline staff. They are doing their best. They are esponsible for safety. They have the veto regarding which passengers and suitcases are allowed when and where.
However, you can make one point, once.
I protested, saying, "I need it nearby because I shall be getting things down later."
She said, "Why don't you take out what you want now?"
So, concealing a sigh, I removed my laptop. I put it in my oversize handbag.
During the flight, every time I went to the toilet, I carried the whole shaboodle with me every time. i recall wondering, is it worth the hassle. I thought, losing something, wondering whether something has gone missing, is more hassle.
Which Seat Should You Choose On Aircraft?
For years, when I was young and agile, I used to prefer a window seat. It enables you to see the iarport you are reaching, know the weather, take photos.
Nowadays, I usually pick a seat near the toilet, and an exit seat. If you are overweight, elderly, or want to visit the wash room a lot, it's a good thing to have an aisle seat.
If you have an empty middle seat, you can put your bag on the middle seat. If you are asked to stow your luggage for takeoff, you can put it under the middle seat.
I have also used my bag as a footrest. On the smaller aircraft used by Singapore Airlines between Singapore and London, England, there was no footrest. I put my bag under my feet. Ichecked inside to see nothing could get crushed. No Ipad, no sunglasses, no yogurt pot, no bottle of water.
On the bus between the aircraft and the terminal, again you need to watch your luggage. The same goes for a bus from the airport to the airport car park, or a bus from the rental car office to the airport.
Having reached the city, you will probably soon be taking a train around the city or off somewhere else.
How To Choose A Train Seat
Finally, on trains, luggage is often left in compartment by the door, but you could be seated a long way away, facing the opposite direction. You can reserve a seat but no optio to pick a seat near the luggage rack. And when you get up to go to the toilet, do you take it all with you?
If there is free seating and I am on a train early, if I have luggage, I sit nearby and watch it. At stops, somebody could jump up, grab your case and be gone as the train moves off again.
I like to travel with a small suitcase like the ones you take on airlines, with four wheels so it can be turned sideways to progress faster along the narrow central aisle. You might have to walk a long way down a busy train to find a seat.
With fewer passengers, during the Covid19 situation, and social distancing, you have more chances of sitting beside an empty seat and being able to keep your luggage nearby.
Useful Websites
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8722025/Mother-two-stole-train-passengers-suitcase-containing-76-000-worth-designer-clothes.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ico=taboola_feed_desktop_news
About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and phtographer, author and speaker.
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