Don't Pack Food or Beverages in Checked Luggage anymore... New policies..

[sgtdisney]

I know I have read some posts here in the past, of people packing some nonperishable food or drinks in checked luggage to have while at WDW. The TSA has implemented new security policies regarding checked luggage at the airport and they are recommending that people do not pack food or drink anymore. It may set off the screening devices and make a manual search necessary of your luggage.. Other things they are asking is to not lock luggage anymore as they may have to break the locks if they need to do a search..

http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=654

Just a heads up for those of you travelling in the very near future.

 

[bmartin1206]

Good to see people getting the word out there. As a TSA employee I can not discuss specifics but can say you can't imagine how different things appear or are interpreted by the equipment and individuals who run it. It may all seem petty but any potential threat is a real threat in our eyes until we say otherwise. As for me, I don't intend to lose a plane on my watch for any reason. We are always vigilent.
We won't break the locks, they will be cut if the bag needs searched, a letter will be placed in your bag telling you it has been searched and we will secure it again with a plastic tie before sending it onto the plain. Don't assume you don't have anything that will alert us to a threat. You'd be surprised. The would of cat scan, x ray and other tools of detection gives a very unique perspective however not everything is readily recognized until physically inspected.
Give it time to come on line. Those who have traveled often will testify in most cases that this is workable and necessary in todays world.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by bmartin1206

We won't break the locks, they will be cut if the bag needs searched, a letter will be placed in your bag telling you it has been searched and we will secure it again with a plastic tie before sending it onto the plain.

I don't know if you can answer this, but what will you do with say like Samsonite or Amercian Tourister luggage where there is a key lock built in or a combination lock?? Will you have to break those or locate the passenger? I am just curious, not locking my suitcases really makes me feel uncomfortable and I was wondering what to expect.

 

[melindaandrob]

My MIL flew recently and when she arrived home she had grit in the bottom of her suitcase. She blamed BIL's cat LOL until she realized that she had a sachet in her suitcase that was a 'giveaway' at a department store. The sachet was an envelope with the smelly stuff inside (hence the grit) The security had slit the envelope then they taped the edge back, unfortunately the tape didn't hold. She was impressed with the screening at the airport to have caught that.

 

[Blondie]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll be flying down to Orlando in just a few short weeks and I appreciate the info.

I'll be feeling somewhat uncomfortable not having our luggage locked, but would rather leave it unlocked than have it destroyed.

 

[Kallison]

It's a new world, you gotta do, what you gotta do.

 

[Nutts4DVC]

What about the thieves that work at airports. I remember seeing on TV - workers going through people's luggage and stealing items? They say this still happens today. I bet those that steal are standing around with smiles on their face today. I need to lock my suitcase.

If not I will have to "carry-on" a whole lot of stuff that would not be safe in my suitcase.

Robin in Mi

 

[Alice28]

Wow...I will have to read the link. I was totally going to pack fruit snacks, Chex Mix, crackers, cereal, Pop-tarts, etc for our trip and have an empty suitcase to throw souveniers in on the way home. Poop. I had heard this on the news this morning and thought nothing of it and when I saw this thread the light bulb went on.

 

[VintageKnight]

hey i've been using zip ties on my luggage for yrs, never had a problem.....the key is to use non standard sizes.....you can find multple size boxes at hardware stores ( lowes home depot) and you'll know if some one broke them....


chris

 

[bmartin1206]

We haven't heard a definitive on Samsonite like luggage. I've heard we're going to have tools to pop the locks which I don't think we'll do. I would believe we would first try to locate the owner. Any sort of padlock we will cut off and replace with a plastic tie once we've finished the search. At our airport everything will be checked below so passengers will not be readily available.
Although theft is always a possibility, you have to understand we are Federal employee's who have all had extensive background checks from the FBI to local police. In short we are a better quality of people. Everyone I work with is totally on the up and up. Lock your suitcases if you must but be aware if we think it's suspicious we will resolve it before it goes to the plane. So don't be mad if the lock has been cut.
The whole issue about food is that it often will give an alarm for reasons I cannot discuss. For this reason it will slow down the process for every bag we have to physically investigate.

 

[dcfromva]

Although theft is always a possibility, you have to understand we are Federal employee's who have all had extensive background checks from the FBI to local police. In short we are a better quality of people. Everyone I work with is totally on the up and up.

While this may be true, what about everyone else who handles the baggage?

I didn't figure the locks did much for me, anyway--except maybe to keep the luggage from popping open and the contents going all over.

Since you are a TSA employee, perhaps you might answer a question that I have had for a while concerning the latex gloves--
Will you be using a clean pair each time you go into each new bag? This is one thing that really grosses me out when going through the screening process:

I see the airport screeners with used gloves folded over their belt. The take them off and put them on if they have to screen someone. I wonder who they think they are protecting with the gloves? Why would they only be issued one set of gloves? If they are worried about cross contamination of some sort--let's see, they are using the same gloves for everyone and the screeners are handling the used gloves....

-DC

 

[bmartin1206]

The gloves are a barrier not to be intended to create a sterile environment. Anything on the lives would be nothing more than what you mind find on say tables in a restaurant. How many people have leaned on those? Unfortunately there are some people who we must physical search with less than desirable bathing skills. We change gloves (Cotton) when dirty or soiled. As for the folks I work with, latex is not comfortable to were all day and we have boxes available to us. Everyone I know changes gloves every time.

 

[SeaWitch]

Hmmm... I never thought about what food would look like to those of you involved in the screening process.

On the way to our trip to WDW via DFW... we checked in with those electronic kiosks. My DH got pulled aside to open the lock on his (to be checked) luggage. They pulled out his toiletry kit and it turns out they were interested in his SOAP. He uses a glycerin based soap (like Neutrogena) for his face... it was in one of those plastic travel soap holders. Perhaps it looked like an explosive?

Anyway - we were impressed with the level of screening. I agree with others about locks - not just for theft but to keep my undies from spilling out for all to see!

But cut my lock off if you need to - we all just want to be safe.

 

[dcfromva]

bmartin1206

The gloves are a barrier not to be intended to create a sterile environment.........Unfortunately there are some people who we must physical search with less than desirable bathing skills.

I understand that the gloves are not intended to create a sterile environment, however why wear gloves at all if the dirty gloves are going to be handled and reused? It doesn't seem like anyone is getting any kind of protection. I see it all the time at the airport--dirty gloves folded over the belt. Even your Doctor may not wear gloves to examine (depends on what they are looking at, I guess) but at least they have to wash their hands from person to person.

Back to the checked luggage--(I heard this on the radio)--put your toothbrush in a clear plastic bag... so the screener can see what it is without having to go into it.... A good reason to start the trip with a new clean (unopened) toothbrush in my opinion--and dispose of the toothbrush at the end 'cuz personally, I don't like folks handling my toothbrush! And, let's not forget that not all the clothes that are packed are clean. So, I am glad to hear that you all wear a new pair of gloves when you go from one bag to the next.

-DC

 

[bmartin1206]

Ultimately we all need to learn to do things differently with respects to airtravel. We're not particularly fond of touching dirty underwear and tooth brushes. It is our job to protect the public against threats of terrorist acts. It is everyone elses responsibility to be healthy. I guess untill it's been shown that securty screener is infecting everyone form person to person contact, that concern will remain a low priority. Doctors work with sick people.

 

[WdwJon]

How is one supposed to cut off the cable tie when he reaches his destination if his pen knife is locked in the suitcase?

 

[ceecee]

I agree with the above comment.........search away!!! We must do everything possible to protect ourselves and I'm glad the Federal govt is involved. On a funnier note.....my sister was flying from OH to LAX and doesn't care for airline snacks, so she bought a soft pretzel for lunch, the guy searching her carry on bag, took the pretzel out and turned it over several times, then put it back in the bag. My sister then told him to keep it, she no longer wanted it....I thought it was too funny! She said "he fondled my pretzel, who knows where his hands have been"

 

[Nuts4DVC]

What I am going to do is send a box of non-perisable foods ahead of our trip. I used to pack snacks, instant BF, etc. I will carry on jewelry as I used to pack it in the suitcase. Shoes will go on top. I will carry my medications also.

Two of our suitcase's have samsinite like latch's on them. Will just pack cloth in them and nothing else.

So all those baggage people that handle our luggage out of site are all federal employee's now? Out of federal employee site - after you check them where do they go from there? To people who load and unload on the plane? Are these people federal employee's also?

My carry on will now be bigger and we were hoping to have a smaller carry on.

 

[MaryJ]

I am all for safer standards aboard airplanes, but I hope that the airports across our country get the message about what is and is not permitted to be carried on. Last month, my DD flew from St. Louis to Dallas. She wanted to take her knitting on board to pass the time. I didn't think it would be allowed, so we went to the TSA webpage to check. Knitting and crochet needles were listed as allowable items, so she took them along. Just to be sure, she asked before she checked her suitcase and she was told she could not take them on board. She then packed them in her checked bag. What a surprise! Her bag was chosen for a random security check!

Perhaps she would have been allowed to take the needles on board at a different airport, I don't know. I do know it makes it difficult when people think what they are doing is OK only to be told it's not allowed here.

 

[bmartin1206]

All baggage screening is done by Federal employees. Once cleared it is then passed on to airport employees. It is unfortunate knitting needles were not allowed. Bare with us as everyone works to get on the same page. It has been a monumental task in a short period of time. Here we have sent people to malls and the like as well as a program for consumer awareness. The airlines a also suppose to pass the word.
Good question WDWJon. Since you are not permitted to carry on knives and scissors. However. round tip scissors are permitted to carry on. As I've said, there are adjustments to be made. I think over all it goes rather well.