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Senate Approves Stopgap Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Senate passed a six-month funding bill just hours before a potential government shutdown. The bill, which faced significant opposition from Democrats, was approved with a 54-46 vote. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump's desk for final approval. The funding measure, often referred to as a continuing resolution (CR), was a contentious issue, with Democrats criticizing it for lacking input from their party and for falling short on key priorities like healthcare and housing assistance. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing that a government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences. Despite internal divisions, some Democrats sided with Republicans to ensure the bill's passage, prioritizing the avoidance of a shutdown over their reservations about the legislation. The decision has sparked debates within the Democratic Party, with some members expressing frustrati...

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Tips for Getting Your Luggage First at Baggage Claim

 

While waiting for your checked luggage at the airport can feel like an eternity, there are a few tricks you can try to improve your chances of having your bag pop out early. Although there’s no guaranteed method, these strategies might give you an advantage:

  1. Travel Business or First Class: Passengers who fly in business or first class often receive better service, including the perk of their luggage being among the first to arrive at baggage claim. If you have the opportunity to upgrade, consider it for a smoother baggage experience.

  2. Frequent Flyer Status: Airlines offer priority baggage services to frequent flyers with elite status tiers. If you fall into this category, make sure the agent affixes a priority tag to your bag during check-in. While these bags are technically supposed to be offloaded before others, it’s not always guaranteed.

  3. Gate Check Your Bag: Arrive at the gate early and ask to gate check your bag. This means you’ll bring your suitcase through security and it will be loaded last onto the plane. Sometimes, this results in your bag being among the first to appear at baggage claim.

  4. Last One In, First One Out: If you’re checking your bag, consider doing so as late as possible. Bags loaded into the cargo hold last are often the first to be unloaded. However, keep in mind that the loading order isn’t always predictable.

  5. Get a “Fragile” Sticker: When checking in, request a “fragile” sticker for your bag. Representatives at the counter can affix this sticker, which might prioritize your luggage for early retrieval.

Remember, even if you follow these tips, there are no guarantees. However, you can also use technology to keep track of your bag’s whereabouts. Attach trackers like Apple AirTags or Tiles to your luggage, or check if the airline uses RFID tracking to monitor your bag’s journey from the cargo hold to the baggage claim.

Lastly, make sure to remove old bag tags from your suitcase before checking it in, but leave your personal tag with contact information and address. Safe travels!

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