Baggage tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Earth
Does anyone have a personal recommendation for a baggage tracker using cellphone node triangulation or GPS?
(a) Baggage tends to spend a lot of its time indoors ... so you've got the fun and games of lack of signal coverage for cells and urban canyons for GPS
(b) What happens when the battery runs out
(c) I believe most airlines are not too keen on battery operated kit being put in the hold
(d) Who's going to pay your roaming bill for the cell usage ?
Need I say more ? Basically you're wasting your time, money and the earth's resources on procuring such a gadget.
Just go get yourself one of those good old fashioned plastic/metal luggage tags instead (oh, and some decent travel insurance too).
Technology has its place in this world, but sometimes traditional options are more reliable.
Last edited by mixture; 9th September 2013 at 16:55.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,369
Likes: 3
From: UK.
Thank you for your thoughts, mixture.
It is not for me; I was asked to research such devices.
I can assure you that they do exist using both nav techniques which I mentioned.
One uses an accelerometer to switch off before t/o and on again after landing.
As I said, if anyone has personal experience of these I would be grateful for comment.
It is not for me; I was asked to research such devices.
I can assure you that they do exist using both nav techniques which I mentioned.
One uses an accelerometer to switch off before t/o and on again after landing.
As I said, if anyone has personal experience of these I would be grateful for comment.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 490
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From: Spain
Indeed they do:
I've edited out the name. There are quite a few on the market. Just google baggage tracker.
How does T work without GPS Tracking Technologies?
T employs newly patented micro-electronics and ground-based cellular telephone technologies to track and report its position on the ground even while inside metal containers, such as cars, hardened suitcases, and parked aircraft.
T employs newly patented micro-electronics and ground-based cellular telephone technologies to track and report its position on the ground even while inside metal containers, such as cars, hardened suitcases, and parked aircraft.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,369
Likes: 3
From: UK.
Sunnyjohn, I'd looked at the one you mention but read some less than sparkling comments about it but it may be one of those I'll suggest based on its location method.
Last edited by Basil; 10th September 2013 at 08:24. Reason: May recommend trying
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,663
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From: Earth
I can assure you that they do exist
Think I've made my point though. So I'll leave you in dreamland.
Last edited by mixture; 9th September 2013 at 19:41.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,369
Likes: 3
From: UK.
RM2, thanks for the suggestion.
I'm helping the PA to an MD do some tracker research. I'll mention the QR sticker, esp if the company already uses them, as an interim measure but I think he wants a tracker. I don't think that I, personally, could be bothered to use one and they all seem to have negative points. I just put a yellow band around my checked baggage for ID.
I don't want to recommend something which doesn't work and get the PA told off, hence my posting.
Bas - PA to the PA to the MD
I'm helping the PA to an MD do some tracker research. I'll mention the QR sticker, esp if the company already uses them, as an interim measure but I think he wants a tracker. I don't think that I, personally, could be bothered to use one and they all seem to have negative points. I just put a yellow band around my checked baggage for ID.
I don't want to recommend something which doesn't work and get the PA told off, hence my posting.
Bas - PA to the PA to the MD
Last edited by Basil; 10th September 2013 at 08:21.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I spent 27 years Telecommunications and IT. I had my fair share of time trying to sort out gagdgets for MDs and CEOs! 
I won't bore you with examples but I started to notice a patten: They had just returned from the USA and had been chatting to pals there or the PA presented me with a page of a colour magazine (often an In Flight Mag) that showed the 'thing'.
Some of them were sensible and some were not but that made no difference!
I won't bore you with examples but I started to notice a patten: They had just returned from the USA and had been chatting to pals there or the PA presented me with a page of a colour magazine (often an In Flight Mag) that showed the 'thing'.
Some of them were sensible and some were not but that made no difference!
Last edited by PAXboy; 10th September 2013 at 13:32.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,369
Likes: 3
From: UK.
Thank you, chaps.
I may just suggest the one to which Sunnyjohn alluded plus one other so it's his decision.
Now researching office colour laser multipurpose printer/scanner/copier for "£500".
I rather think "In yer dreams".
HH, This one?
. . or this
With acknowledgement to Scott Adams
I may just suggest the one to which Sunnyjohn alluded plus one other so it's his decision.
Now researching office colour laser multipurpose printer/scanner/copier for "£500".
I rather think "In yer dreams".
HH, This one?
. . or this
With acknowledgement to Scott Adams
Joined: Nov 2007
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 30
From: Texas
I use QR code stickers on and in my luggage which point to an email address and mobile phone number when scanned with a smartphone.
They're my braces to the airline's baggage tag belt.
They're my braces to the airline's baggage tag belt.
Braces and a belt don't go together.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
A possible reason for using a QR code: It's fast and easy for the finder to contact you. With the increasing prevalence of smart phones, it lessens the burden of effort to locate you to say that your bag has been located.
