Luggage covers

[Clare Voince]

My pretty suitcase got some black smudges on it the last time I flew, so I was thinking about getting one of those stretchy fabric luggage covers for my next trip. Has anyone used them before? Do you think it would be an issue if the TSA decided to search my checked bag?

 

[Jimsig]

I think it would depend on if they are TSA approved. You would want to call your airline or TSA (if that's possible) to see. If they are not approved would the airline even accept a bag with a cover on it? If approved TSA would remove it to search your bag if need be. My concern is would they even bother putting it back on or just throw it in your bag?

 

[jo-jo]

I think it would depend on if they are TSA approved. You would want to call your airline or TSA (if that's possible) to see. If they are not approved would the airline even accept a bag with a cover on it? If approved TSA would remove it to search your bag if need be. My concern is would they even bother putting it back on or just throw it in your bag?

Or even just toss it away. We have TSA locks and yet almost every trip we lose one. Not sure if they cut it off before noticing or just don't bother to put it back on.

 

[goofy4tink]

A question....when going to baggage claim, I've seen tons of bags all wrapped in clear cling wrap type material. How does that work with bag checks? I guess it keeps the suitcase from getting dirty and keeps it closed, but I just don't see how it works.

 

[Clare Voince]

I suppose I should stick with the cheap $10 version rather than spend more on a fancy one just in case.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

A question....when going to baggage claim, I've seen tons of bags all wrapped in clear cling wrap type material. How does that work with bag checks? I guess it keeps the suitcase from getting dirty and keeps it closed, but I just don't see how it works.

If it gets selected for security check they just cut the cling wrap and on in there....

 

[EpcotQueen]

One of the reasons we ship our luggage. FedEx not as hard on our suitcases.

 

[Carriemel]

Please. Don't buy it. Doesn't matter that it's TSA approved or not. TSA doesn't care what you ship your clothes/personal items in. The only thing it does is irritate the officer who has to screen that particular bag. It's a pain in the left butt cheek to get that thing back on properly.

The job of a piece of luggage is simply to protect its contents. The exterior of the bag is more for the passenger's benefit - easier location and collection of their bag at the bag claim.

Full disclosure, I work for TSA.

 

[Clare Voince]

Please. Don't buy it. Doesn't matter that it's TSA approved or not. TSA doesn't care what you ship your clothes/personal items in. The only thing it does is irritate the officer who has to screen that particular bag. It's a pain in the left butt cheek to get that thing back on properly.

The job of a piece of luggage is simply to protect its contents. The exterior of the bag is more for the passenger's benefit - easier location and collection of their bag at the bag claim.

Full disclosure, I work for TSA.

Thank you! I will save my money then. I don't want to make things difficult for the TSA, they've got a hard enough job as it is.

 

[goofy4tink]

Please. Don't buy it. Doesn't matter that it's TSA approved or not. TSA doesn't care what you ship your clothes/personal items in. The only thing it does is irritate the officer who has to screen that particular bag. It's a pain in the left butt cheek to get that thing back on properly.

The job of a piece of luggage is simply to protect its contents. The exterior of the bag is more for the passenger's benefit - easier location and collection of their bag at the bag claim.

Full disclosure, I work for TSA.

Nice to see you again....you haven't posted in a bit, or I've missed it! So, what's up with the cling wrap some idiots are using?

 

[Carriemel]

Hi, Diane! Yeah, I've been kind of low-key lately.

Ah - the cling wrap...

Apparently, it's huge in some places to pay people at the airport to completely wrap their bags - in fact, it's a for-pay service provided at FLL, MIA and others. And if TSA gets a bag that's completely cling-wrapped and must be opened, there is no guarantee it's going to go back on the same way, which really winds up being a huge waste of money. I'm not sure exactly why this has become a "thing", but clearly, it needs to stop.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi, Diane! Yeah, I've been kind of low-key lately.

Ah - the cling wrap...

Apparently, it's huge in some places to pay people at the airport to completely wrap their bags - in fact, it's a for-pay service provided at FLL, MIA and others. And if TSA gets a bag that's completely cling-wrapped and must be opened, there is no guarantee it's going to go back on the same way, which really winds up being a huge waste of money. I'm not sure exactly why this has become a "thing", but clearly, it needs to stop.

Well now...isn't that interesting. I thought it was kind of silly.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I've seen bags like that - completely wrapped in plastic. What is the reason for thinking to do it in the first place? It seems like a HUGE hassle to me, and if you have to pay for it, I'd never do it.

 

[Carriemel]

Well...most of the people who do this are going to the Caribbean...and either don't want their bags getting wet or don't want people pilfering from their bags.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well...most of the people who do this are going to the Caribbean...and either don't want their bags getting wet or don't want people pilfering from their bags.

I have seen these bags all over the place...so perhaps they are either 1. catching a connecting flight along the way, or 2. coming from the Caribbean. I see it a lot at MCO. But, have seen it in Providence as well.
When I travel to MCO, during the warm weather months, I wrap my stuff in large trash bags. I've had a bad sit out on the tarmac, during a storm. It wasn't pretty by the time it got to me, at home!!!! Ewwwwww.

 

[Best Aunt]

When I travel to MCO, during the warm weather months, I wrap my stuff in large trash bags. I've had a bad sit out on the tarmac, during a storm. It wasn't pretty by the time it got to me, at home!!!! Ewwwwww.

I always put my belongings in clear trash bags in my checked bag. Too many people post on here about how they are putting drinks in their checked bags. If they didn't pack it carefully and it leaks, it's going to leak all over nearby bags.

 

[macraven]

I always put my belongings in clear trash bags in my checked bag. Too many people post on here about how they are putting drinks in their checked bags. If they didn't pack it carefully and it leaks, it's going to leak all over nearby bags.

I do the same

Last year I watched the rain pouring down while I was sitting on the plane watching SW load the luggage onto the plane

When I arrived in Orlando, my luggage was wet but everything inside the suitcases were dry inside the heavy plastic bags

 

[Jimsig]

When I travel to MCO, during the warm weather months, I wrap my stuff in large trash bags. I've had a bad sit out on the tarmac, during a storm. It wasn't pretty by the time it got to me, at home!!!! Ewwwwww.

When my next door neighbor went with her daughter and grand kids they had a later flight and checked their luggage at the RAC desk and went on their way for the day. Later on when they were back at their resort as they were getting ready to leave they saw one of those big luggage containers they put on the DME trucks sitting out. It had poured earlier and they wondered how long that container had been sitting out. They got their answer at home when all their stuff was soaked. She said next time they go they would be putting their stuff in trash bags.

I wonder if treating the luggage with the waterproofing spray hikers would help too?

 

[NYCgrrl]

Hi, Diane! Yeah, I've been kind of low-key lately.

Ah - the cling wrap...

Apparently, it's huge in some places to pay people at the airport to completely wrap their bags - in fact, it's a for-pay service provided at FLL, MIA and others. And if TSA gets a bag that's completely cling-wrapped and must be opened, there is no guarantee it's going to go back on the same way, which really winds up being a huge waste of money. I'm not sure exactly why this has become a "thing", but clearly, it needs to stop.

Thanks for the clarification. I've seen the cling wrapped luggage on international and domestic carousels and always thought it was the results of a TSA inspection or malfunctioning luggage on the airlines' side.

 

[Starwind]

Hi, Diane! Yeah, I've been kind of low-key lately.

Ah - the cling wrap...

Apparently, it's huge in some places to pay people at the airport to completely wrap their bags - in fact, it's a for-pay service provided at FLL, MIA and others. And if TSA gets a bag that's completely cling-wrapped and must be opened, there is no guarantee it's going to go back on the same way, which really winds up being a huge waste of money. I'm not sure exactly why this has become a "thing", but clearly, it needs to stop.

It has been popular overseas for quite a while, where many airports have the service, and is now becoming more available in North America, where some airports have the service (# growing).

The purpose is primarily theft (pilferage from luggage) prevention, though general contents protection as well [weather, damaged bag, etc], and also to prevent someone from adding something to the bag without the passenger's knowledge.

See for example https://www.cnbc.com/2014/04/02/travelers-pay-to-protect-luggage-with-plastic-wrap.html

SW