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When chaos strikes the airlines yet again, a luggage tracker could provide a solution. It would make it possible to locate your suitcase.
How luggage trackers work: Here’s how it works
To ensure you can find your own suitcase as soon as you arrive at your holiday destination, suitcase trackers are being used more and more frequently. Both how they work and the legal situation should be examined closely before using one.
- How it works: The suitcase tracker is fitted with a GPS module which determines the location. You can access this information via your mobile network, the internet, text message or online. The various models differ mainly in terms of accuracy, battery capacity, power consumption, size and weight.
- Possible uses: As the suitcase tracker is, strictly speaking, a tracking device with a GPS module, the possible uses are almost limitless. However, people may only be located with their knowledge and for their own safety in emergencies. Otherwise, you can fit the tracking device to any personal belongings or pets. Please ensure that it does not have a microphone. Eavesdropping is against the law.
- Legal situation: The use of GPS trackers to locate one’s own property is generally permitted. Only eavesdropping is in breach of the law. As long as the suitcase tracker is only capable of locating the suitcase, but not of eavesdropping on the surroundings, its use is entirely legal.
- According to the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, small Bluetooth tracking devices such as the Apple AirTag or the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag are also permitted.
Key details of suitcase trackers: range, legal considerations, costs
To recover your suitcase, pet or other personal belongings, there are a few key details you should bear in mind. Otherwise, it could prove difficult to find your suitcase.
- Pay attention to the range. The smaller the radius, the quicker you’ll find your suitcase. It’s also important that the battery capacity is sufficient for the journey. After all, you simply cannot find a tracker that is switched off. If you’re planning a flight, the tracker should ideally have an ‘airplane mode’. Otherwise, your suitcase could be on a plane whilst you’ve already arrived at your destination, but you won’t be able to locate it.
- Also, make sure that the suitcase tracker does not have a microphone. This way, you’ll be on the safe side as far as the law is concerned.
- Price range: Prices for the various devices vary greatly depending on the range of features. Inexpensive suitcase trackers start at around 30 euros, whilst more expensive models cost 150 euros or more.
