Gone are the days of luxurious air travel; the days when flying was enjoyable. These days, flying feels more like a Russian roulette of issues: take your chances and wait to see what problem will inevitably arise on each flight you choose to take. Over the years, I’ve experienced my fair share of flight interruptions, delayed luggage, cancellations, and once was even flown into a different airport than our destination, only for all passengers to be stranded there without any airline responsibility. But my latest trip had me learning a valuable lesson. 

This past autumn I travelled to Austin, TX, for the press launch of the new Can-Am electric motorcycles. It was a quick trip: two nights overall, with one day of riding. I wasn’t looking forward to the travel, but as always, I was looking forward to the ride. 

I learned a long time ago to always bring my helmet as a carry-on. Not because it makes you look cool — and lets everyone know that you do, in fact, ride a motorcycle, not just have the shirt —but because it’s your most important piece of protective equipment. Rather than leaving the safety of your helmet in the hands of the baggage handlers who without a doubt have throwing contests with the luggage as it goes on and off the plane, by carrying it on, you can ensure the care and safety of your helmet when you’re travelling. 

I was reminded on my flight south of another great reason to bring your helmet with you: you’ll still have it when the airline loses your luggage and all your gear along with it. 

I arrived in Austin, after a tumultuous journey filled with delays and diverted flights. I was ecstatic to be in Austin, but the pit in my stomach dropped as I waited — and waited and waited and waited — at the carousel waiting for my luggage. 

My first flight had a mechanical issue, making my connection very tight. After arriving in Calgary, I raced through customs to catch my second flight, which I ended up missing. I was five hours behind my original arrival time, with the addition of two extra flights to make up for my missed connection, and without luggage.

I did the usual paperwork with staff who claimed that it would be delivered that night or early the next morning, before my ride. I awoke the next day in my hotel with the same clothes I had worn yesterday, my computer, and my helmet. Luckily, Can-Am offered some extra gear, like a jacket and boots. Although sizing was limited and far too big, it was the best option to be geared up for the day of riding. I was fortunate enough to have worn relatively durable pants, even though I hated that I didn’t have any knee protection in them. They would have to do. 

As I donned my helmet and the borrowed gear, I grew nervous, being sure to ride conservatively since I was without knee pads. I never realized how much I rely on my gear for confidence while riding — gear that I know is durable, in good shape and fits me well. There’s nothing wrong with borrowing, but I find my jacket and pants begins to feel like a second skin while riding. Borrowed gear felt like I was wearing someone else’s skin to try to feel safe. 

There were a few things that I learned. If you can, be one of those incredibly annoying travellers (which I often am) and try to carry all your gear on the flight with you; heck, wear it if you have to. It can be tough travelling with motorcycle attire as your carry-on and is also greatly dependent on the size of the plane and airline you travel with. But it’s worthwhile if you need your gear for the trip and can’t chance losing it. The other is to always put an Apple AirTag or some sort of tracker in your suitcase. 

I normally use an AirTag in my luggage, but had just gotten a new Ogio bag and forgot to switch it into the new luggage before I left. Luckily, I didn’t have anything in the bag of great value to me, although being without riding gear, clothes and toiletries for a work trip didn’t offer the greatest comfort. 

After my return home, I patiently waited for my luggage to come, asking myself each day why I didn’t just put the damn AirTag in the bag. It’s been over two months now and the bag never arrived home. It has been claimed as lost and all my gear — aside from my helmet — is gone. It would seem as though the roulette of flying was not on my side this time. Maybe next time I’ll get lucky.