Tracking Luggage: Airport Security's Use Of Rfid Tags

Checking in luggage can be a stressful experience, with many travellers worrying about the possibility of losing their bags. Fortunately, this rarely happens, with only 3% of luggage being lost or delayed. Most airlines have a luggage tracking system, and airports use various methods to monitor checked baggage, including CCTV. Some airlines, like Air India, even allow you to track your checked bags using a baggage tracker. This can be done using your bag tag number, confirmation number, or file reference number.

Changi Airport's baggage tracking system

Changi Airport in Singapore has an innovative baggage-tracking system called iChangi Baggage Tracker. This system allows passengers to track the status and location of their bags using the Changi App. The app provides updates on the arrival of baggage and informs passengers if their baggage has been delayed due to inclement weather or other disruptions.

The iChangi Baggage Tracker is a trial service by the Changi Airport Group (CAG) to provide departing, arriving, and transferring passengers with status updates on their bags as they travel through the airport. The baggage tracking system combines information from the airline and Changi Airport's baggage system to provide a detailed journey of the bags through the airport. Passengers can track their bags from the time they check in for their flight until the bags are loaded into the aircraft. For arriving passengers, the app tracks the bags from check-in at the departing airport until they are delivered to the baggage claim belt at Changi Airport.

The iChangi Baggage Tracker also allows passengers to personalise their baggage tracking by renaming their bags and changing their bag icons/photos. This feature provides more accurate baggage presentation times for collection. Passengers can also receive notifications when their bags are loaded at upstation airports for their transfer or arrival journeys.

The Changi Airport Group is working to bring this baggage tracking feature to all terminals, with the service currently available at Terminals 2, 3, and 4. Most checked-in bags will be tracked, except for odd-sized bags, gate-checked bags, and limited-release tagged bags.

IATA's Baggage Tracking certification

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) offers a Baggage Tracking certification to demonstrate that an organisation has an excellent baggage tracking system, following industry best practices and meeting the standard in operations and processes at check-in, loading onto the aircraft, transfer, and delivery to the passenger at arrival.

The certification process is based on IATA Resolution 753 and the IATA Baggage Tracking Implementation Guide. It is designed to guide and support organisations to success, providing the understanding, tools, and expert advice needed to achieve certification. The process includes preparation and pre-assessment, where an organisation's current baggage tracking capabilities are assessed through a questionnaire, and an assessment, where an assessor selects a number of flights at random and observes the baggage journey and tracking at four touchpoints: baggage acceptance, loading, transfer, and arrivals. The assessor also observes the organisation's ability to exchange baggage-handling data within its network and with subcontractors and interlining carriers.

Validation is the next step, where the assessor works closely with the organisation to ensure that all feedback is actioned. The organisation must provide a corrective action plan (CAP) detailing the actions taken and planned, with an implementation date. The CAP is validated by the assessor as meeting the certification criteria and requirements, in accordance with IATA Resolution 753. The organisation must submit clear evidence of its full implementation to the IATA assessor for validation. Once the CAP has been satisfactorily implemented, the assessor will issue the IATA Assessment Report, and the organisation will be granted the IATA Certification.

The Baggage Tracking certification is beneficial for organisations as it demonstrates a commitment to reducing mishandling and ensuring an improved passenger experience, which can build brand equity and improve customer satisfaction. It also enables organisations to reduce costs associated with mishandling, baggage fraud, and process inefficiencies, while also speeding up flight readiness and reducing delays. Additionally, the certification can help organisations prepare for growth in the air transport industry by meeting the necessary standards and best practices.

Tracking luggage with GPS

Losing luggage can be a stressful experience, and it's a common occurrence, with 9.9 million bags mishandled in 2021. Airports and airlines are implementing new technologies to reduce these instances and improve the passenger experience.

One such technology is RAIN RFID, which allows airlines and airports to track bags from check-in, during ground transfers, and on and off planes. This technology delivers fast and accurate data about bags as they move through automated systems, which can then be shared with passengers. Airports can also use reusable luggage tags, which notify passengers of their bag's location via a mobile app, SMS, or email.

In addition to these airport-led initiatives, passengers can also take matters into their own hands by using luggage trackers. These devices can be placed carefully inside bags and can help aid in recovery if they go missing. They can also alert the owner if the bag is tampered with or move outside a pre-set safe area. Some popular trackers include AirTags, which work with Apple's Find My app, and Tile, which works with Android phones. These trackers can provide peace of mind and help you keep track of your luggage's location, especially in the event of theft or misplacement.

When choosing a luggage tracker, it's essential to consider factors such as battery life, compatibility with your device, ease of use, and price. Some trackers may also offer additional features, such as geo-fencing or historical path tracking, which can be beneficial in different scenarios. By selecting a suitable tracker and pairing it with your device, you can ensure that your luggage is protected and easily locatable during your travels.

Tracking luggage with RAIN RFID technology

RAIN RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology uses radio waves to identify and track tags attached to objects, including luggage. The tags contain a tiny radio chip and a foil-like antenna, which are read by RAIN RFID readers. These readers can identify up to a thousand items per second and do not require line-of-sight, making them much more efficient than traditional barcoding or optical character recognition methods.

Airlines such as Delta have adopted RAIN RFID baggage tracking technology, with impressive results. Delta has reported a 10% improvement in baggage loading rates, a 13% reduction in mishandling rates, and a 21% reduction in bag-handling injury rates. Additionally, Delta has achieved a 99.9% success rate for reading bags tagged with RAIN RFID.

At airports like Brussels, passengers can receive notifications via a mobile app, SMS, or email about the location of their luggage. This real-time data improves the passenger experience by reducing the stress and inconvenience associated with lost or delayed luggage. Furthermore, RAIN RFID technology helps increase baggage loading, processing, and unloading performance by identifying congestion points and targeting trouble spots.

Overall, the use of RAIN RFID technology in luggage tracking offers numerous benefits to both passengers and airlines. By improving baggage handling operations and providing real-time data, this technology enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and ensures a more enjoyable travel experience for passengers.

What to do if your luggage is lost or delayed

Losing luggage can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to minimise the impact of delayed or lost luggage. Here are some tips on what to do if your luggage is lost or delayed:

Before Your Trip:

• Take pictures of your luggage and its contents. This will help you describe your luggage to the airline and create a record of its contents in case it is lost.
• Use bright-coloured or uniquely patterned luggage that is easily identifiable.
• Ship your large luggage directly to your final destination, especially if you are staying in a hotel or Airbnb. Confirm with the staff that they can store your luggage until you arrive.
• If possible, book nonstop flights or layovers with a generous amount of time to reduce the risk of your luggage being lost or delayed.
• Check your luggage in a timely manner. Last-minute check-ins can lead to a greater chance of your luggage being lost or delayed.

During Your Trip:

• If your luggage is delayed or lost, report it to the airline as soon as possible. Fill out the appropriate lost luggage forms and provide a detailed description of your luggage.
• Stay in close communication with the airline during the baggage location process.
• If the airline locates your luggage but it will be hours before it arrives, provide them with your current address and use their delivery service.
• Keep receipts for any essential items you need to purchase while waiting for your luggage. You may be able to get reimbursed for these expenses.
• Check your airline's claims and compensation policy. You may be entitled to compensation for reasonable, verifiable, and incidental expenses incurred while your luggage is delayed or lost.

After Your Trip:

• If you have baggage insurance, file a claim to receive compensation for lost or delayed luggage.
• Provide receipts or other proof of valuable items that were in your lost luggage to support your insurance claim or request for compensation from the airline.

Remember that while losing luggage can be frustrating, staying calm and following these steps can help you resolve the issue effectively.

Frequently asked questions