In the famous "Hints from Heloise" column, a reader suggests carrying a photo of your luggage to help aid in its recovery if it's lost.
Heloise replies, "So right! You can also snap a photo with your digital camera or camera phone just before leaving on your trip."
That's not a bad idea. Have you ever forgotten who makes your luggage or whether it's black or navy or whether it has a strap, etc.? If you have a clear photo or two you won't seem like an idiot when trying to remember exactly what your bag looks like! (Yes, I've been in that situation a few times.)
Most people have a few pieces of luggage and carry them for years. So it seems like a good idea to take a few photos, print them (preferably in color), slip them into your usual carry-on bag/purse and forget about them until you need them.
New security measures
The problem with taking a photo with your camera phone or digital camera, if you don't print the photo, is you might have to pack your electronics in your checked luggage, where it wouldn't do you any good if it's lost!
However, according to the latest information from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, you may carry on laptops, cellular phones and other electronics, contrary to some news reports.
This policy does not extend to British airlines and airlines flying from U.K. airports. From United Airlines today, "Passengers are advised that ALL electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, portable music players, remote controls etc cannot be carried in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage."
I will be flying to Dublin in October to conduct a camera phone workshop and participate in a camera phone conference and I find it hard to imagine not carrying my laptop and all my electronics on board for work and pleasure.
Obviously, it's a very, uh, fluid situation.
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