Travel trouble-shooter Chris Elliot has just released the first of what will be a series of video-casts. It is only a minute long and gives you tips on how to avoid the one problem that we often face when we travel: losing luggage.

Now, I have to admit that I have been very lucky that airport/airline authorities have never lost my luggage — but, I, because of lack of caution, shamefully on more than one occasion, have not recognized my own bag. Ever since, I rather have a big, ugly, yellow and black spotted ribbon tied onto my bag, so I can’t miss it. Although I’ve often felt embarrassed to take ownership of a bag with a hideous ribbon on it, I have never again had problems recognizing it.

This is exactly Elliot’s first tip refers to:

• Separate your luggage: I was thrilled to see how Elliot does this.He covers it with a bag rag — a cloth sack that lets your bag in like a glove — and the one shown in the video is shocking-pink with a leopard skin print(!).

• His second tip is to pack smart: Don’t put anything valuable into the bag; your bag might be returned, but anything that costs more than your underwear, probably won’t be.
• Go beyond your luggage tag: Other than having your bag well-tagged with your name and contact information, it is also handy to have some business cards inside the bag so there is no reason for people not to have your contact details.
• Or, the best tip of them all: Don’t check-in any luggage! It’s great not to check-in your bag. You are allowed 10-kilograms in your hand on a flight, try to travel light and stick to that weight, it’s not difficult and it makes things so much easier!

If you want to be notified when Elliot’s next video-cast goes up, you can subscribe to his YouTube channel.