Are Checked Bags Often Lost or Damaged?

Not as often as you might think. The Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report includes a “mishandled baggage rate,” which Bill Mosley, a spokesman for the department, said combines lost, delayed, damaged and stolen bags. In May, there were 2.77 reports per 1,000 passengers. That’s better than the same period a year ago, when there were 3.54 reports per 1,000 passengers.

In general, most people are reunited with their bags (even if they temporarily go astray), according to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division, which monitors compliance with, and investigates violations of, the Department of Transportation’s requirements. To give your bags the best possible chance of arriving when you do, the division advises passengers to check in early and remove luggage tags from previous trips. Also, try to fly nonstop: bags are more likely to be misplaced when passengers change airplanes and airlines. For tips about packing and what to do if you lose a bag, visit airconsumer.ost.dot.gov.

Is the Air Vent Making You Sick?

The expert consensus is that you’re more likely to get sick from a sneezing seatmate or from touching the bathroom sink than from recirculated cabin air. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cabin air is mixed with outside air and recirculated air, and most new-model planes pass the recirculated air through high-efficiency particulate air filters meant to capture 99.9 percent of tiny particles like bacteria and fungi. The center has reported that transmission of the flu is thought to be mainly through large droplets, meaning that the closer you sit to an infected person, the higher your risk for exposure. (Boeing even explains on its Web site that “essentially no microorganism can pass through the high efficiency filters in the air recirculation system on today’s jets.”) Your best bet? Hand sanitizer. And keep your fingers crossed for a healthy seatmate.

Can Portable Electronic Devices Harm the Plane?

It comes down to this: better safe than sorry. The Federal Aviation Administration says there are still unknowns about how the radio signals that personal electronic devices (including cellphones) give off might affect aircraft communications, navigation and flight control. Cellphone use, which sends out strong signals, is banned by the Federal Communications Commission because of its potential to disrupt wireless networks on the ground.

And if you’re wondering why Wi-Fi is not yet more widely available, here’s the reason: For each model of aircraft that a Wi-Fi system is to be used on, the manufacturer must get F.A.A. certification for the system, and the airline must get F.A.A. operational approval. That means testing the equipment to show that it doesn’t interfere with systems during flight.

“As with any regulation, safety is always our top priority, and we will make no changes until it is certain they will not impact safety and security,” the agency said in a statement when asked about portable electronic devices. “However, the F.A.A. recognizes this is an area of consumer interest and is exploring ways to bring together key stakeholders to explore the issue further.” In the meantime, have a little patience and, if need be, a break from your e-mail.