Bag search issue

[chickapin]

So on Wednesday we went to the MK for the first time in almost a year. Something awesome did happen - guest services changed the expiration date on our passes from December to June because we hadn't used them at all since renewal due to my pregnancy complications. So that was really cool.

Anyway, so we took our 2 month old baby for the first time and needless to say, we had a stroller and diaper bag. So we went through the bag check and the security guard went kind of nuts digging through my diaper bag. I took out the blankets and bulky items so she could see inside, but she stuck her hands all up in there including all the pockets and ended up touching my baby's pacifiers, bottles, burp cloths, etc. I then started thinking about how she had just had her hands in who knows how many other bags since she last washed her hands and it really bothered me that she touched so much of my baby's stuff, especially things that go in/near her mouth. I can't remember any time in the past that I've actually had a guard dig through my belongings but we rarely ever went through the bag check line until now. Is this level of search routine now or did we just pick the wrong line to go through? Is there way to get through the line without someone touching my stuff in the future?

 

[mrsksomeday]

My suggestion, anything that goes in the baby's mouth put in a clear zip lock bag. That way the security guard can see it and not touch it. I would rather have them go "nuts" when searching instead of being lax and someone bringing a weapon in the parks.

 

[dolphindan1]

So on Wednesday we went to the MK for the first time in almost a year. Something awesome did happen - guest services changed the expiration date on our passes from December to June because we hadn't used them at all since renewal due to my pregnancy complications. So that was really cool.

Anyway, so we took our 2 month old baby for the first time and needless to say, we had a stroller and diaper bag. So we went through the bag check and the security guard went kind of nuts digging through my diaper bag. I took out the blankets and bulky items so she could see inside, but she stuck her hands all up in there including all the pockets and ended up touching my baby's pacifiers, bottles, burp cloths, etc. I then started thinking about how she had just had her hands in who knows how many other bags since she last washed her hands and it really bothered me that she touched so much of my baby's stuff, especially things that go in/near her mouth. I can't remember any time in the past that I've actually had a guard dig through my belongings but we rarely ever went through the bag check line until now. Is this level of search routine now or did we just pick the wrong line to go through? Is there way to get through the line without someone touching my stuff in the future?

Only way to not get your stuff touched is to not take anything...impossible with a baby I know...Next time take anything you dont want touched out first and carry it thru security...

I understand your concerns but I am very happy Disney security is so thorough....a diaper bag is a great disguise to hide stuff...most people think "oh they have a baby they are not gonna blow up Splash Moutain"....I am not saying thats you but I am sure people try and I have seen people use there kids and kids things as coverups....

We always take a book bag with several zippers...I make sure every zipper is open when I get to the table...I have seen security barely look in it and I have seem them take almost everything out....I think its random and I bet they have to check a bag thouroughly after so many...lets say every 10th bag per line or something like that...just a hunch

 

[ldiddygirl]

Personally, the most that they have ever done to our backpacks was maybe look inside or stick one hand in to push one thing aside. We've never had anyone dig in our bags but I guess you can never be too careful!

 

[Jedi]

it really depends on the guard ive had some tell me to go to the bag lines because my pockets were REALLY stuffed, and other times I was just waved through, some times they check the camera bag, sometimes they dont etc, ....but regarding bringing weapons in the park they only check bags not people....and have no metal detectors etc...I think they are more concerned with glass bottles and alcohol..just my 2 cents on it...

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My suggestion, anything that goes in the baby's mouth put in a clear zip lock bag. That way the security guard can see it and not touch it.

I agree with this suggestion.

There's no way to completely avoid someone touching your stuff as you go through the bag check. Some guards are more thorough than others. I seem to always run into a couple during my trips that take their bag search duties ultra seriously. You could hang back and watch as guards search other bags, then join the line of a guard that is a little more lax. But that's still no guarantee they won't suddenly decide your bag needs more attention.

 

[Jedi]

or put that stuff(pacifier etc) in a bag in your pocket...if it would all fit

 

[dolphindan1]

What I find funny is I have seen people freak out about someone touching a pacifier but will pick up same pacifier of the ground and stick right in the baby's mouth...trust me I have see it happen...MY SIL for one

 

[sewingmolly]

I just don't understand bag search at all. If someone wanted to bring something into the parks, wouldn't they just hide it under their clothing? I think that bag check is just there to make the guests feel more secure. I don't think it's effective at keeping weapons out of parks. On our last trip, we ran into one very thorough bag searcher at AK. She was spending at lot of time on all the bags, so the line was really long.

 

[LaurenT]

I've never had them touch stuff in my bag! They've used a stick or a flashlight....

 

[chickapin]

What I find funny is I have seen people freak out about someone touching a pacifier but will pick up same pacifier of the ground and stick right in the baby's mouth...trust me I have see it happen...MY SIL for one

Yeah that's not us. I'm a nurse and I'm big on handwashing. I wouldn't even use a diaper that fell on the ground. I guess we'll have to ziplock everything, though watch the next guard we get want us to open the ziplocks!

 

[chickapin]

I just don't understand bag search at all. If someone wanted to bring something into the parks, wouldn't they just hide it under their clothing? I think that bag check is just there to make the guests feel more secure. I don't think it's effective at keeping weapons out of parks. On our last trip, we ran into one very thorough bag searcher at AK. She was spending at lot of time on all the bags, so the line was really long.

Totally agree with this. If people really wanted to sneak stuff into the parks, they'll keep it on their body. I'm sure the bag search helps keep out alcohol, maybe some weapons and other contraband but it's definitely not a foolproof security system and if someone is determined to cause trouble, they'll find a way.

 

[nytimez]

I just don't understand bag search at all. If someone wanted to bring something into the parks, wouldn't they just hide it under their clothing? I think that bag check is just there to make the guests feel more secure. I don't think it's effective at keeping weapons out of parks. On our last trip, we ran into one very thorough bag searcher at AK. She was spending at lot of time on all the bags, so the line was really long.

Yes. This.

I usually have a phone, camera, small bottle of water and a few other things in the deep pockets of my cargo shorts... and I can just walk right through the no-bag line. Who knows what other people have in their pockets.

It's pure window dressing.

 

[Sammie]

While we were there they were digging through lots of bags, even having people take things out and lay them on the table.

It is not window dressing, you are being watched while your bag is searched.

 

[iheartdisney]

What I find funny is I have seen people freak out about someone touching a pacifier but will pick up same pacifier of the ground and stick right in the baby's mouth...trust me I have see it happen...MY SIL for one

no, no, no. Mom doesn't just pick it off the ground and give it to baby. First she sticks it in her own mouth to clean it off. I've seen that wayyy too much!

I would second putting all the "sterile" objects into a ziploc, but not jam it full so it isn't impossible to see all the contents.

 

[Planogirl]

We put our stuff in our pockets and so far no one seems to care. We don't take much though.

Could you put the pacifier in a zip loc and then in your pocket? That one would bother me.

 

[progroupie]

To be quite honest I don't see much difference in having a pacifer loose in a bag with other items to be much more sanitary than someone touching it? I mean if you really think about it, how often do you wash the inside of the diaper bag? I mean I still see why you would be a little put off by it though.

When did they start allowing them to touch things in your bags? When I worked at WDW I picked up some shifts during special events doing bag checks and what not and we weren't supposed to touch anything in the bags, if we couldn't see the contents well enough we were supposed to ask the guest to move or pull things out. And when going through security I remember them doing this as well, like when they ask you to open your camera case, they aren't supposed to do it themselves which is why they tell you to.
That's why at Universal and other places they use those little sticks, so they can move things around without putting their hands in your bag.

 

[Lisa x]

Another vote for putting bottle tops and pacifiers in a zip lock so that they see them but not touch them!

Security have always usually moved my items around with a stick or a flash light or they have asked me to move certain things and open certain zips myself!

 

[goofy4tink]

Anytime there is a long line at bag check there is usually a diaper bag involved. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that moms with diaper bags are suspect. But, I think that sometimes so much stuff is crammed in there that the security people just can't see...so they have to remove things. I have always just had security stick a small flashlight in my bag, but it's been pretty easy to see what's in there.
Is bag check actually doing anything? I'm sure it is. They know what they are looking for. Weapons have been found during bag checks. And yes, someone could get something into the parks on their person. But, bag checks do serve a purpose.

 

[fan1080]

Bag checks are an unfortunate reality.

All we can do is keep an eye on what they are doing, and take the necessary steps to prevent them from touching things we don't want them too, or doing what's required to clean things they touch following the search.