How to Make Very Sure That You Don't Lose Your Luggage or Have Anything Stolen From It

Jeevan Sivasubramaniam Posted by Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, Managing Director, Editorial, Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.



[Note: This hack only works if you take the time to make sure that where you are traveling from and to have no laws against firearms in luggage and have the proper documentation and permits.]

In a nutshell: pack a gun in your checked luggage.

In most flights domestically, you are allowed to pack a handgun in your checked luggage as long as you have a permit and related paperwork and if you make sure you declare it at check-in. However, the TSA takes special care of luggage that has been registered as carrying a weapon, because if that piece of luggage gets lost--there's a deadly weapon that is also loose and unaccounted for. TSA will tag your luggage and will be careful to note that it is loaded on to the right plan and unloaded at the right destination. They will also keep tabs on anyone handling the luggage and will certainly act immediately if they see anyone (such as baggage handlers) trying to look inside. And they will make sure you claim your luggage at the other end.

I am not advocating for guns or anything like that, but if you have one (legally) and are also carrying anything very valuable in your luggage, the extra insurance does not hurt.