When you’re checking bags expensive luggage doesn’t make sense so save yourself the money!

As you may know by now, I work for a major airline as a baggage handler/ramp agent and many of the travel tips I write about on this blog I get from the things I see at the airport, as well as my own experiences. Today I was delivering my bags when I saw this Louis Vuitton bag come out of the plane.

Can you see how the handle is broken? I am willing to bet this bag didn’t start out like this because I don’t think many people would willingly travel with a broken handle, that would be a huge hassle. This bag didn’t have wheels so the passenger had to carry this over their shoulder or hold it by the handles.  This passenger will get to their destination and be very upset because the handle on their expensive bag is now ruined. Of course this can be fixed but that probably won’t be done until this person gets back home.

Baggage handlers/ramp agents do not care about your fancy bag. Maybe I’m not supposed to say that but it’s the truth. When ramp agents are unloading/loading a plane, the last thing on their mind is the type of luggage someone is carrying. We never stop and say, “Wow! Look at that expensive piece of luggage! Be careful with that.” The only thing ramp agents want to do is  get those bags loaded and be on their way. The only thing that may make a baggage handler take extra care is when they see a stroller, wheelchair, and/or a carseat.

So what is the takeaway from this? I have nothing against expensive bags, I’m just letting you know there is no reason to spend tons of money on something that will be tossed and thrown around.

What type of luggage do you carry?