Is lost luggage a real concern?

No you shouldn't. Out of all the trips, which is many, I've taken on many different airlines, I have had bags delayed four times and except for once they were delievered within 24 hours and in two cases within 4 hours.

I would suggest taking enough clothes/toiletries in your carry-on though so that if you do have a delayed bag, you'll have enough for the short term.

bring a daypack and carry in it the items it would be really painful to lose or have delayed.

The problem is that you're switching flights. Usually your bags make the 2nd flight, sometimes they don't. Bags are placed in pallets. If the whole pallet from Denver is going to London it usually makes it. But if they have to pull some bags out of a pallet from Denver to Montreal because it has bags for a bunch of different flights, that seems to be where the problems are more likely to happen.

ditto on the day pack (smaller carry on) with a change of clothes and wear/take anything essential (hiking boots, expensive jacket etc). Also any electronics or documents you need. Even those who plan to carry on with regulation sized gear should have a quick backup plan like that in case the connecting smaller flights get busy and do a gate-bag-check last min.

I agree with the others. I always check my luggage and I never really worry about it.

By the way (and not to scare you), I've had my luggage lost 5 times in Europe. I lived in Europe for a number of years and used to travel quite a bit for business so this was over the course of a lot of flights. In every case, my luggage was found. 4 of the 5 times, my luggage was delivered to the hotel or my apartment within 24 hours. One time, my bag was missing for 5 days.

The main lesson that I learned is that you should always carry on a change of clothes, socks, and underwear to get you through a couple of days. If the airline loses your bag, ask them for a toiletry kit (Air France gave me a very nice one once that included a T Shirt). Make sure that you put a name, address, and phone number on both the outside and inside of your bag.

Ironically, my luggage has never gone missing on a Heathrow connection ... despite the fact that I probably flew through Heathrow more than any other airport in Europe.

In the last century, I made three trips to Europe.

On the first, my luggage was off-loaded in Boston to the carousel instead of being put on my flight to Belgium. I only found it because I was with some friends who had to pick up luggage.

Third trip I was on a flight from FRA to CDG. The plane was going on to Columbia. The baggage crew didn't take my bags off the flight and I had no way to tell the French language only crew to get my bags. If they had gone on to So. America, I doubt if I would ever have seen them.

Then on my second flight this century, after becoming a Rick Steves carry-on afficionado, I was on a flight into an eastern city, where I was to connect to a flight to Germany. We had an hour to make the connection and the flight was an hour late. The airline met us at the gate and took us (13) by van to the waiting international flight. I just made it with my carry-on, but I don't think any checked luggage would have.

I never risk it anymore.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it helps a lot. I'm not too worried any more and hey, travelling is about having fun and I shouldn't be worrying about anything.

Cheers.

In my Air Force days we said, "Flexibility is the key to Air Power, that translates loosely to always carry on your luggage."

For me it's both risk and convenience. When I take one carry-on, I don't worry about losing my luggage so I eliminate that risk.

The real benefit is getting through the airport quickly and not hauling a load everywhere I go. My convertible isn't a backpack but it has shoulder straps, waste belt and compression straps for when I want to carry it that way.

Any chance of getting a backpack that fits carry on size limits?

All Airlines have the capability to lose luggage. That's just a fact. They can lose yours and they can lose mine...

I'm hardcore carry-on. I only check on the return leg, if at all. But in your case, sounds like you don't have a whole lot of choice. Take out the essentials that you will need to survive the first 24hours at destination, including medications if you take any.

But the good news is you're flying with Canada's finest, notably Air Canada. AC are voted North America's best/favourite Airline for a reason. Check out the reviews and you'll see what I mean...

Proud to bear the Mapleleaf...

F/A

Actually you're flying via Montreal. I don't know what it is but all three times either I or a member of my family have flown to/through that airport they've lost our luggage (United Express twice, Air Canada once), although in all three cases we got it within 24 hours.

I also agree on a day pack. The stuff you NEED (ie: medication, 1 day's change of clothes, toiletries) hand carry on the plane. That way if your check in gets delayed or lost, you're not completely out.

We try not to think things will get lost, but you should be prepared!