Should I put our underwear in the carry-on?

[iheartdisney]

Sorry, but I haven't flown in many years. reading about baggage screenings, the thing that really kind of skeeves me is someone touching my undies. I don't want to have to wash them all over again when we get there, so I was thinking...
If I pack all of our clothes in ziplocs, will the TSA open the ziplocs to touch our clothes? Can I use some evidence bag type tape to seal them and then I check to see which seals have been broken? Or will doing this ensure that my bags get "misplaced" ?

 

[dis_guy]

The only time I've had my bag hand searched was when I forgot to take out my liquids before screening so I got the "extra" treatment. The person wore examination gloves and was very careful not to mess anything up. She was quick and polite. I wouldn't worry about this too much. I'm sure they don't want to handle your clothing unless necessary.

 

[Plumeria9]

My guess would be that putting undies in the carry-on is not any safer than packing it! I always pack the socks and undies in a ziploc bag and throw it in the suitcase. It makes it easy to find and seems more tidy. If the bag is clear, even if they open up your suitcase they probably wouldn't open it, just squish it around to feel if there's anything that's not supposed to be in there. Happy travels!

 

[dudspizza]

Really? They search your stuff wearing gloves. Also, your carry on bag has just as much of a chance to be searched as does your checked bag......

duds

 

[dunbarfamily]

I can understand your fears, but I think you'll be fine. My carryon bags have been searched, and I've witnessed others' bags searched as well at multiple airports. From what I observe, the TSA agents always put on clean disposable gloves. If they search your checked luggage, you'll not know what they've touched, you'll just get a little "love note" saying it was searched, and you wouldn't know if your whitie tighties were touched anyhow. I guess if you're really worred, and want to feel better, you could cough up a few bucks and mail clean undies to yourself at WDW. I've mailed myself things (not underoos though!) and it's never been a problem getting my items upon arrival.

Good luck!!

 

[tjmw2727]

I do - I know its funny but I pack my and my kids "personal items" in zip lock bags, it makes me feel better. Of course I have no idea if they have been opened but they are always sealed shut when we arrive!

I also check the TSA website fairly often for the latest restrictions and packing tips. One thing I read was to put shoes on top - soles up. We fly at least once a month and about 1/2 the time our bags have been opened and searched. (The TSA leaves a note or sticker saying so).

 

[disneylove69]

Chances of getting bags searched are slim. Normally they already know what they want to look at in your bag and directly go in that direction. They don't open Ziploc if they can see through it. I think at least for now underwear is safe.

 

[DebbieB]

I do - I know its funny but I pack my and my kids "personal items" in zip lock bags, it makes me feel better. Of course I have no idea if they have been opened but they are always sealed shut when we arrive!

I also check the TSA website fairly often for the latest restrictions and packing tips. One thing I read was to put shoes on top - soles up. We fly at least once a month and about 1/2 the time our bags have been opened and searched. (The TSA leaves a note or sticker saying so).

If there's a sticker on your tag, it doesn't mean they opened it up, it just means it went through screening (usually x-ray). If they actually open it up, they put the note in. I fly pretty often and it's been a long time since I got a note.

 

[aubriee]

I do - I know its funny but I pack my and my kids "personal items" in zip lock bags, it makes me feel better. Of course I have no idea if they have been opened but they are always sealed shut when we arrive!

I also check the TSA website fairly often for the latest restrictions and packing tips. One thing I read was to put shoes on top - soles up. We fly at least once a month and about 1/2 the time our bags have been opened and searched. (The TSA leaves a note or sticker saying so).

They don't always leave a note. I once had a coworker babysitting my dog. As a thank you I brought her back some Mickey wine glasses and a large bottle of Rosa Regale wine. I had them pack the wine really well when I bought it, then padded it really well in the middle of my suitcase. When I got home the wine glasses were there, but the wine was gone (along with one of my shoes). Not sure why they got one shoe and left the other. There was not any sort of note saying the bag had been searched.

 

[DebbieB]

They don't always leave a note. I once had a coworker babysitting my dog. As a thank you I brought her back some Mickey wine glasses and a large bottle of Rosa Regale wine. I had them pack the wine really well when I bought it, then padded it really well in the middle of my suitcase. When I got home the wine glasses were there, but the wine was gone (along with one of my shoes). Not sure why they got one shoe and left the other. There was not any sort of note saying the bag had been searched.

It could have been taken by a baggage handler. They don't leave notes....

 

[tjmw2727]

If there's a sticker on your tag, it doesn't mean they opened it up, it just means it went through screening (usually x-ray). If they actually open it up, they put the note in. I fly pretty often and it's been a long time since I got a note.

Yes your right and sometimes there is a larger sticker inside or a printed note or nothing!

sometimes they search and don't bother to leave a note! I use a zip tie to keep my bag from opening and a few times they arrived with a different zip tie. Of course its possible it broke but I find it more likely that it was searched and they forgot the note.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Really? They search your stuff wearing gloves. Also, your carry on bag has just as much of a chance to be searched as does your checked bag......

duds

Yes, that's correct, but they are the same gloves used to search the previous 10, 20, 50, suitcases. Even at the travel checkpoints where your carry-ons are inspected, the Airport Securrity Screeners don't change gloves before every search or hands-on body examination.

 

[Brian Noble]

When I got home the wine glasses were there, but the wine was gone (along with one of my shoes).

That was more likely some random airline/airport employee looking for a little "extra compensation" at work.

OP: know that it is possible for checked luggage to be opened and searched, though I suspect it is uncommon. My experience is that it is also uncommon to have your carry-on searched, and you can reduce the chances of that happening by packing properly.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm

That said, you definitely should carry on everything you need to get through AT LEAST the first 24 hours of your trip, in case your baggage is delayed for some reason. For me, that would include at least one change of unmentionables per person.

 

[Alexander]

Whenever we have a TSA note that our bags have been opened, I tell my family, "Well, they rummaged our undies again!" Really, just put them in a ziplock bag. If it freaks you out that much, buy some when you get there!

 

[poohbear8]

I travel with carry on only and pack all of my clothes in ziplock bags and/or travel space bags. I figure IF they open my bags, at least my undies won't be flying around when I try to pack it all back up. I have never had them open my bag for further inspection, during my last 3 trips.

 

[CPT Tripss]

That was more likely some random airline/airport employee looking for a little "extra compensation" at work.

OP: know that it is possible for checked luggage to be opened and searched, though I suspect it is uncommon. My experience is that it is also uncommon to have your carry-on searched, and you can reduce the chances of that happening by packing properly.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm

That said, you definitely should carry on everything you need to get through AT LEAST the first 24 hours of your trip, in case your baggage is delayed for some reason. For me, that would include at least one change of unmentionables per person.

TSA's Airport Security Screeners have the ability to recon one's luggage with their xray machines and therefor only go after the goods that are "good." Also, it is part of the Airport Security Screener's job to open luggage, while it is not part of an airline baggage handler's job to do that. Seems like that describes which type of employee is more likely to be the culprit.

 

[Lewisc]

TSA's Airport Security Screeners have the ability to recon one's luggage with their xray machines and therefor only go after the goods that are "good." Also, it is part of the Airport Security Screener's job to open luggage, while it is not part of an airline baggage handler's job to do that. Seems like that describes which type of employee is more likely to be the culprit.

Also depends on which group of employees is screened better. What part of the luggage handling geography is monitored by cameras.

I'm sure there are "crooked" TSA agents who steal stuff and I know there are crooked airline baggage handlers who steal stuff.

I don't think either group is interested in stealing the OPs underwear. I suggest if the OP has expensive lingerie costing hundreds of dollars putting it in carryon bags makes the most sense.

I think sealing a zip lock bag containing anything, even underwear, with duck tape is likely to look suspicios.

 

[Brian Noble]

Also depends on which group of employees is screened better. What part of the luggage handling geography is monitored by cameras.

Airports are big, with lots of nooks and crannies. I doubt any of them have camera coverage at all locations.

It also depends on how handling procedures work. For example, if employees generally have access to luggage only where other employees are likely to be, it would require collusion for theft. If, on the other hand, there were opportunities to be alone with baggage, it's much easier to take a little something. I have no idea whether either set of employees have more or less "alone time". But, if one is in the Tin Foil Hat Club when it comes to TSA, then naturally I'm sure one would assume that "TSA done it."

TSA is probably single-handedly responsible for the debt ceiling, as well.

 

[CPT Tripss]

To get a SIDA badge (Access to the airport's "sterile" area) a fingerprint based criminal record check is required. Basically, the same whether TSA or airport employee.

If this is inadequate, then with all the unmonitored nooks and crannies in airports, we are in deep $#!+. Surely the bad guys will exploit "holes."

Based on recent Congressional hearings and GAO reports critical of TSA implementation, Brian's "Tin Foil Hat Club" has many prestigious members. But then again, those who blindly accept the unsupported public statements by bureaucrats with a lot to lose my be the true measure of membership in the "Tin Foil Hat Club."

 

[quirkygal]

Pack a few extra pairs of undies in your carry on bag and don't wear an underwire bra on flight days. Some of the metal detectors are extra sensitive or, if you're a bigger gal like yours truly, your bra will have a larger underwire in it. Larger underwire = More metal = BEEP BEEP BEEP

A TSA agent once had me walk back though the metal detector with my arms crossed under my breasts and over my chest like a cross your heart bra. When the machine didn't alert the world to my dangerous undergarments she just let me pass and recommended that I do the cross my arm thing whenever I fly while wearing an underwire.

That's my two cents. Enjoy your trip to WDW!