• Don't pack anything in a carry-on bag that could be considered a weapon (scissors, knife, nail clippers, etc.).
• Always carry your travel documents, medication, jewelry, travelers checks, keys, fragile items and other valuables in your hand luggage. Items such as these should NEVER be packed in luggage that you plan to check.
• Pack tightly. Packing loosely wastes precious space and causes clothes to wrinkle.
  
• Some recommend that before you put any garment into a suitcase, zip all zippers, button all buttons, and fold the garment along its natural creases.
• The first items to go in should be the heavier ones--shoes, belts and books--that tend to fall to the bottom anyway.
  
• Shoes should be packed in shoe mittens or an old pair of socks to protect other clothes from being soiled. You may also want to stuff your shoes with rolled-up socks or other soft clothing items inside so that they won't be crushed during your flight.
  
• Suits, dresses, shirts and blouses should be packed in plastic dry cleaner bags to limit wrinkling. Take some extra plastic bags as they can have a multitude of uses while traveling.
  
• Roll pajamas, nightgowns, sweaters and other casual wear to fit into small spaces, where possible, but don't cram your suitcase full. If you have to force your luggage to close, remove a few items to prevent broken hinges or zippers along the way.
  
• A small traveling alarm clock is generally useful as it is often difficult for hotels to make wake-up calls to the entire group at once.
  
• A small collapsible umbrella and a needle and thread can be very useful.
  
• Hotels rarely provide enough hangers. Plastic ones are most practical.
  
• You may want to consider the "interweaving method" of packing. Drape longer garments such as dresses and pants across the suitcase with the ends hanging over the sides. Then fold shorter items such as jackets, shirts and blouses around the longer garments so that the clothes cushion each other. Placing a piece of tissue paper between each layer of clothing will also discourage wrinkling.

1) REMOVE OLD CLAIM CHECKS to avoid confusing baggage handlers about your destination.

2) IDENTIFY YOUR LUGGAGE, both inside and outside with your name, address and telephone number and make sure the outside tag is securely fastened to your luggage. This will help if your luggage is lost or stolen and will save time when you are picking up your bags at the claim area. Also, put your address inside the suitcase (American Tourister advises that you use your business address instead of home address so if bags are stolen, the thieves won't have the address of your vacant home). Make a mental note of the first thing someone would find when opening it. When it's time to pack, make a list of the items in your suitcase and keep a copy with you when you travel. If your bag is lost, you will know exactly what you are missing. You may want to keep the list as a timesaving guide for your next trip. Take duplicate keys for your suitcase and keep bags locked at all times.

3) A COPY OF YOUR ITINERARY (including telephone numbers, if possible) should be included in your luggage in the event you and your bags get temporarily separated. This information will help minimize any delay in retrieving lost luggage. We suggest that you tape a copy of the hotel list that is sent to you by IBS inside your luggage.

4) CHECK YOUR LUGGAGE EARLY to insure that your bags not only make your originating flight, but your connecting flight, if you have one. Make certain your bags are checked through to your final destination--in the case of your IBS Seminar, to the appropriate European city.

5) TRAVEL INSURANCE IS IMPORTANT if you will be traveling with valuables not covered under the normal luggage allowance provided by the airlines ($1,250.00). For information on travel insurance, call IBS (480) 874-0100.

6) REPORT LOST LUGGAGE IMMEDIATELY before you leave the airport. Make certain you have a complete list of the contents of your bags as well as a detailed description of your luggage. If your luggage is missing for more than 48 hours, and you must purchase emergency supplies, retain the receipts for the items purchased. Most airlines have a maximum allowance they will pay for lost luggage.