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Comment by jonny_eh | Hacker News Reader

People should consider using Air Tags with checked luggage this summer: https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel/travel-apple-airt...

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Yeah we just recovered a lost bag thanks to an Airtag. The airline’s system thought it was still at the origin city, but we knew exactly which terminal it was at, and we just went there and asked in person. Never checking any bag without an airtag ever again.

Like I dummy, I waited around in line for an hour in Costa Rica before remembering to check my tag.

... Turns out, they move "military looking" (lol, pelican) boxes to a separate spot instead of running them on the carousel. I'd have had it in minutes if I remembered to check the tag first.

Another Pelican Box Luggage Fan!!! I've got a few Pelican trunks too (1615s). They are often (but not always) treated as "Out of Gauge" at various international airports for me and I'm asked "What's inside?" as if they are loaded with some sort of weapon. Nope! I just like large & durable luggage that can be tied to roof of a cab if it doesn't fit in the back

I have Airs, which are definitely weaker, but light enough that I don’t mind.

Have considered its a tastier looking target for thieves, but esp in Asia they seem to have no idea what it is at all.

the pelicans themselves are nice but I find they are theif magnets - people assume whats inside is expensive and you are conspicuous when using them.

I don't often check luggage. United does have a pretty good online tracking system you can use these days but I always throw an AirTag into checked luggage now and it seems like a really good idea.

Yeah and if you want some order them now, there's been a flood of articles (and comments!) recommending this approach, so no doubt they are flying off the metaphorical shelves.

I hit up 2 Apple Stores and a few authorized resellers in my area and everyone was out of stock. I ordered mine online and it still took a few weeks to get it.

I've used airtags when travelling the past month, they are amazing. Sometimes I sit down on a nice chair instead of crowding around the baggage reclaim belt waiting for it to arrive, and my airtag will show when its there

Just because you know where your baggage is doesn't mean the airline will actually give it to you.

It can help a ton. There's been reports of people calling up an airport and telling an employee exactly where their bag is, and then getting it delivered.

Often the biggest impediment to getting lost luggage back is finding out where in the airport it actually is.

Or even which airport it's in.

What should those of us with Android phones do? As far as I can tell, you can use an Android phone to locate any random airtag nearby, but no way to hunt down your own tag unless nearby. Other tag systems won't have the Find My network advantage.

You don't get as much coverage since far fewer people have them but there's always Tile.

If you have a Samsung phone you could consider using a Galaxy SmartTag. It uses a network of Samsung devices, so its coverage should be quite good too.

extremly underrated tip! thank you

I foresee big profits for Apple and Chipolo this summer.

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