Luggage Carts: Eight Safety Suggestions for Your Travel Possessions

Luggage carts were made for traveling. If you travel by train, cruise ship, plane, car or pick up truck, but, hate to lug the luggage, then you should treat yourself to a well-made folding luggage cart. Here are eight simple luggage-cart and travel-related suggestions that will add efficiency and a little more security to handling and monitoring your possessions as you travel.

1. Attach a luggage tag to your luggage cart, then you can check it at the airport, and if it happens to get separated from your luggage you can identify it. (Airport security is also used to checking them because so many smart travelers are using luggage carts nowadays.)

2. You know all those free pre-printed address labels you get in the mail? You can use them on your luggage tags. That way security can read it, rather than trying to read hand writing. Just paste it on the lines of the paper card that comes with the tag and tuck it back inside. Since it is small it will also be fully visible in the tag window. And, since it is small, it is harder for "nosey pokes" to read it from far away, too.

3. You can also paste a return address label on the bottom of the platform of your luggage cart where it will not be noticeable and there will be no "wear and tear" on the label. That way, if the tag comes off, it is still identifiable. Those labels stick really well to metal. If you also cover it with clear nail polish it will be nearly indestructible and water proof, too – nail polish does not come off of metal objects like it does on a living, breathing, moving finger nail. I put a dot of pink nail polish on a metal ruler about 23 years ago so I could tell mine from the identical ones the men I worked with were using. It is still on there.

4. And while I'm thinking of it, you can paste return address labels in many hidden places inside your luggage and purse (on the backside of pocket flaps or metal rims – even inside the plastic zip-lock bag that holds your "liquids"). You never know when these little identifiers may come in very handy, such as if you get separated from your luggage or purse or "liquids" for a period of time – like on the other side of the x-ray machine at the security check point. If it's got your name and address on it, you can quickly prove ownership and identify your stuff much faster.

5. Get a small bungee cord or two from your local hardware store to keep the load on your luggage trolley from shifting – in case you have to go round corners on a run. If you make sure the load is secure on the cart, by criss-crossing them, nothing should shift or fall off. You can also fasten a bungee cord around the cart to keep it closed when it is not in use. All the luggage carts at http://www.bestluggagecarts.com come with one elastic strap or cord, depending on the model, and they will hold your load in place. But I like to use a couple more so I can criss-cross and really tie that load on securely.

6. An additional short bungee cord or length of one-inch-wide satan ribbon or rope will keep your folded winter coat fastened to your cart. If you live in "Winter Wonderland" and vacation in "Tropical Paradise," you will need your coat when you get back to the cold and bluster, but you don't need to be burdened with carrying and monitoring it in the tropics. They are usually too bulky to pack – so just attach it to the cart. Security will want to run your coat through the x-ray machine, too, so make sure you don't use a hard-to-untie knot if you choose ribbon or rope instead of a very small bungee cord. If you tie it with a bow like you tie your shoe laces, that will come undone quickly and tie back up easily, also.

7. Do not fasten your purse to the luggage cart. You can still carry it on the cart, by resting it on top with your hand, holding both the strap of the purse and the handle on the cart at the same time. Then the cart will carry the load, but you will still have quick access to your tickets, papers, and valuables when you need them. Also, if you stop for a while and need to wait, your unattended purse on the cart will not be a temptation to the easily tempted, if you happen to be facing the other way for a moment. Keep your purse next to you or on your lap while waiting.

8. Lock your bags. Locking your bags will accomplish two things: One it may keep a bag that has been damaged in transit from spilling open accidentally; and two, it prevents, or at least slows down, pilfering during transit. But, you need to know that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be inspecting your checked bags and have the authority to cut off any lock that they cannot open. You can find out more about TSA accessible bags and locks on the LINKS page at http://www.bestluggagecarts.com!.

A luggage cart, like the ones found at http://www.bestluggagecarts.com! really will make managing your luggage a whole lot easier and using the above suggestions will make monitoring your travel possessions easier and just a little safer, too. Happy traveling!