Making connecting flight
Keep at least 2 hours of gap between two connecting flights and more if you have babies or older people with you. Do your homework and find a map of the airport in which you will be arriving in. Most airport gates are laid out in tree-branch fashion and are labeled alphabetically. Circle the destination gate on your map for faster reference later.

Passing throught security checkpoints
At least a day before traveling, review the airport's layout by visiting its website. Some airports offer quick curbside check-ins that you can use if you have not checked-in online already. Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure time.
Remember the 3-1-1 rule. Those numbers stand for 3 oz. containers, 1 plastic bag and 1 bag per passenger. Transfer your essential cosmetic liquids into 3 oz. bottles. Place all those 3 oz. or smaller bottles into a quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag. The TSA allows one bag per passenger.
Place your plastic bag in the bin to go through security screening. The transparent bag makes it easier for customs inspectors to view the items. Once you pass through screening, you may put the plastic bag back into your carry-on baggage.
You'll have to remove your shoes to go through security, so be sure to wear clean socks and shoes that you can slip on and off quickly and easily.
If you have a lock on your bag, take it off. A lock will only create suspicion and slow you down when you have to fiddle with it to open your bag for the security agents.
Take your laptop computer out of its case because all computers are screened separately. Place your laptop by itself in a plastic bin supplied at the checkpoint.
Remove jacket and any metal on your person. These items go with cell phones, keys and bulky jewelry into another plastic tub. If your belt has a large buckle, remove it to spare yourself a secondary screening.
Keep you ticket and your ID with you when you pass throught metal detector.

Securinng your baggage
Pack a copy of your itinerary, including your destination, business address and emergency contact information, in your suitcase. Make a list of the contents in your bags and keep it with you.
Ensure that clasps and zippers are secure. Remove any dangling straps that might catch and tear from all the bags you plan to check.
Attach permanent leather or plastic tags with your name and phone number to each suitcase and keep them current. Remove old flight destination tags before leaving home to avoid potential confusion.
Tag your baggage inside and out. The tags should include the following information: Name, address, telephone number and email address.
Put your contact information on everything, including glass cases, cameras and cell phones. If you leave anything on the plane, it's essential that it be identifiable so it can be returned to you.
Tie a distinctive ribbon around the handles of your baggage or decorate it in a way that provides quick identification.
Put a copy of your itinerary in your suitcase. If your bags are found while you're away, they might get home before you do.
Make sure the airport tag on your bag matches your final destination. Confirm that baggage tags and the number of checked pieces match. Keep your tags in a very secure place--they're your receipt and proof in the event of loss.
Pack valuables, such as jewelry, medication, cellular phones and travel documents, in your carry-on baggage.

Avoid loosing baggage
Make sure your baggage is clearly marked with a tag that states your name. Make sure it is under plastic and written with a permanent marker.
Write your name and address on the inside of each piece of your baggage as well, whether you write it on the baggage itself or on a slip of paper.
Tie a very bright and easily identifiable scarf around the handle of your bag. If you have a bag that looks like someone else's, they could grab your bag by mistake. The bright scarf will make your bag different from the other similar looking baggage.
Take a direct flight. If you can't, then allow enough of a layover time to make sure your bag has enough time to end up on your plane.

Handling damaged baggage
Once you have determined that you are missing a bag or bags, take your claim checks to your airline's baggage service office. It is important that you go to the airline who flew you into your final destination.
You will need to provide a detailed description of your baggage, as well as contact and delivery information. The airline will give you a contact number and can typically give you an idea of which flight your bag will arrive on.
Give your airline at least an hour or two for your claim to trace in its computer system. In most cases, you will receive your missing baggage on the same day, but it will obviously depend on where your missing bag is and the number of available flights that can return your bag to you. If you flew an international itinerary, for example, it may take longer.
After a set time, 3 days for many airlines, if your baggage has not yet turned up, your missing bag file is usually forwarded to a centralized baggage tracing center for more extensive tracing. At this point, you will likely be asked for detailed contents of the bag. If your bag is not found, then the airlines will compensate you for it, within established guidelines. For more details, see your airline's contract of carriage.
Most airlines are not obligated to pay for clothes or other supplies that you are missing because of your delayed baggage until after the first 24-hours. This time frame may vary by airlines, so you should read the airline's contract of carriage to be sure.