Bags out of possession question?

[Coll0610]

You know that question they always ask when you're checking in at the airport about whether or not your bags have been in your possession since you packed them? Well, it's just occurred to me that when I check my bags with bell services after I check out of my room and before I leave for the airport, they are out of my possession and I really should be answering their question yes. Has anyone ever said "yes, they were checked with bell services at my hotel"? What happened when you did? Was your baggage searched?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Great question and one I would answer yes to. I would expect at that point they would examine your bags since a.)bellmen are not checked out by FAA security and B.) anyone could stuff anything into them.

 

[cigar95]

Assuming *you* trust bell services, there's a simple way around this problem - after you get the bags back, open each one up, pull something small out, then put it right back in. At this point, you've just finished packing, and the anser to the question can now honestly be "no".

A bit more seriously along these lines - on the 13th, I told the attendant that a porter had put my luggage in the baggage compartment of the shuttle bus I took from Anaheim to LAX. During this time, it was technically out of my control. She just asked if I took possession again as soon as the compartment was opened.

So they aren't being ridiculous in interpreting this question - at least this attendant wasn't. (And this was the very first day that flying resumed, when things were probably the most paranoid.)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

cigar,
I would probably trust bell services, but, I am not sure of passersby. I guess I am paranoid, but, you simply never know and I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[ducklite]

Buy heavy duty combo locks and lock every pocket, then don't worry about it.

BTW--I'm not talking about the cheap locks you get at a luggage store--go to your local locksmith and invest in some really good ones.

Anne

 

[shelbyjosh]

Ducklite...good idea about the locks. But don't forget to remove the locks once you get to the airport before you check your bags in. Wouldn't you just hate it if they sliced your luggage open to inspect it? It wouldn't be the 1st time I have heard of it done!

 

[TinkerbellRules]

I thought you had to be present when they searched your bags. If this were true, you would be able to unlock them in front of the person searching your bags.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by shelbyjosh
Ducklite...good idea about the locks. But don't forget to remove the locks once you get to the airport before you check your bags in. Wouldn't you just hate it if they sliced your luggage open to inspect it? It wouldn't be the 1st time I have heard of it done!

Michelle- They DO NOT "SLASH" you bags open, unless they have a really valid concern (An x-ray scan shows three sticks of dynamite attached to an alarm clock, or there is some sort of noxious liquid dripping out.) They want you right there so they can arrest you if they find something contraband. Plus, they'd rather have you open the bag so if there is a bomb in it, it's YOU that gets blown to smithereens.

I was once paged at the gate area, they took me to a small room and asked me to unlock my bag for inspection--I told the story in a recent thread on this board. After inspecting it and deciding I was a kook who packed harmless but weird things, they had me relock it and took me back to the gate.

The whole idea behind having the locks is so that your stuff doesn't get pinched while it is out of your control at the airport. I worry more about my stuff being pinched by a baggage handler than a bellman at WDW or most other hotels.

Anne

 

[flyingcircus]

Tinkerbell Rules,

You do not have to be present for them to open your bags.

I used to be an agent for NWA, and when the international flights came in, pgrs. were supposed to claim their bags, and then check them in again to their connecting flights. Needless to say, this didn't always happen, and there were bags left in the customs area. Customs officals would have US use the big lock cutters, and cut off the locks, so they could inspect the conents. WHEW the smell.... Dried fish from Japan, etc..

I know that they try to contact you before opening the bag, but they will break the lock- at least internationally.

 

[caitycaity]

breaking locks yes, slashing bags no.