Why luggage trackers won't prevent lost suitcases: the reasons are named

If you think that having a luggage tracker will prevent you from losing your suitcases, think again.

In the first half of 2023, domestic airlines mishandled more than 300,000 suitcases, about the same number as in the same period a year ago. The Department of Unclaimed Baggage is still in operation. And you have to admit: despite your airline's assurances that your luggage will be returned to you at the end of the flight, you still hesitate when you check your suitcase, Yahoo writes.

"Even the most advanced technology is not foolproof," said Mike Millerson, a survivalist expert who follows tracking technology closely. He said there is no substitute for smart planning and common sense when trying to prevent luggage loss.

Baggage thieves are smart and can remove or disable trackers while they are stealing your bags.

Why luggage tracking doesn't always work

Luggage trackers are useful when your bags are lost. But they are not anti-theft devices. So when you trust an airline with your luggage and it falls into the wrong hands, AirTag is likely to be useless.

That was the lesson learned last year when a Florida airport worker was arrested and charged with two counts of grand larceny. Sheriff's deputies found the stolen luggage at his home, and he admitted removing the AirTag from the luggage, which authorities never recovered.

The truth is that a determined luggage thief can still find a way to disable or simply throw away your tracker and make off with your valuable belongings. Luggage trackers give travellers a false sense of security that their luggage is impossible to lose, but in the hands of a capable baggage thief, you could be left with nothing.

How to avoid losing your luggage

Here's how to use a tracker to follow your luggage wherever it goes.

Check the battery. Tile and AirTag batteries last about a year. It helps to check if your tracker is working before you go out. For example, on Tile, you can double-click the button to check the battery.

Don't show off your luggage tracker. Some luggage has a special pouch on the outside where you can slide the luggage tracker, such as AirTag. But this is an open invitation for a baggage thief to remove the tracker and fly away with your suitcases. Instead, hide the tag inside your bag.

Use a backup tracking system. If you buy an AirTag or Tile, consider a backup system, such as the Ekster tracker, a solar-powered tracking card.