WARNING: If you leave your baggage with Bell Services before flying.......

[pjmoore14]

Hi there,

Just wanted to let everyone know that if you happen to leave your baggage with Bell Services (or anyone) before flying, you will probably have to check each of your bags in front of an airline employee to verify that your bags are exactly as you packed them, then they will be x-rayed. (Don't forget to remove cameras and film, because the film can become damaged if x-rayed.)

We were flying out on Wednesday,(had a fantastic stay at OKW!!) but since our flight didn't leave until 7 p.m. and check-out was 11 a.m. we stored our baggage with Bell Services and enjoyed a little more of WDW.

However, when we went to check in our baggage and get our boarding passes,the question was posed "Has your baggage been out of your sight? (or whatever it is they ask) we of course had to reply with a "yes". So for our safety and everyone elses safety we had to check through 6 fairly large suitcases, right there (not a fun job) and with each had to declare that we were satisfied that nothing had been added to our bags. Then they were x-rayed.

I completely understand the reason behind this and I am not complaining at all, I just wanted to warn people to be prepared to do this and to leave yourself a lot of extra time at the airport. Also, it seems that people are randomly selected to have their carry-ons rechecked just before boarding the planes. (Another good safety check.)

 

[ducklite]

This is solved easily. Lock your bags before checking them with bell services. Don't use the cheesey little locks that came with the bags (did you know one key opens all of them?!) but instead invest in either some good quality combo locks and set all combo's the same, or get some locks from a local locksmith all keyed the same. That way you only need to check the one or two little outer compartments and you can honestly tell them no one has had access to your bags.

As far as the random checks right before boarding, this has been going on since September 11, nothing new. DH and I have both been subjected to it, it's not really a problem unless you are carrying on too much carry on to begin with.

Anne

 

[Christi 2002]

Or.. couldn't you recheck your bags yourself before you get to the airport to make sure nothing was added?
Christi

 

[cindala]

Target sells the combo locks for about $6-7. I would definitely lock my bags before leaving them with bell services. We always lock them up, even when waiting to check in.

 

[CarolA]

Actually this has been true for years. They asked the question "have your bags been out of your control" for the past several years.

Since I usually have a rental car I just put my luggage in the car and lock it to avoid this issue. I don't know if any locks are really that secure. (People break into locked houses all the time, do you really think they can't pick open your lock and reclose it?)

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by CarolA
Actually this has been true for years. They asked the question "have your bags been out of your control" for the past several years.

Since I usually have a rental car I just put my luggage in the car and lock it to avoid this issue. I don't know if any locks are really that secure. (People break into locked houses all the time, do you really think they can't pick open your lock and reclose it?)

In all honesty--why would they want to? OK, maybe to steal something, but certainly not to plant something in your bag. It's not like they know which flight you are going to be on or anything. I've always felt that leaving locked luggage with bell services was very innocuous.

Anne

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

We use combination locks on our suitcases to help keep them closed.

For security purposes (knowing if someone has been in the bags), we use "wire ties." Those are the plastic ties you can buy at the hardware store/section - usually they are white or black plastic. You insert one end through the opening on the other end and pull tightly. Once tightened, they cannot be removed or opened without cutting. This way, if a wire tie is missing or damaged we know we need to inspect our luggage.

Now granted, someone could put new wire ties on the suitcases but the chances of them having the same kind readily available is pretty slim. I guess you could even make it a little safer by putting a little nail polish on the end of each which would essentially eliminate any chance of duplication.

 

[lookingforward]

Another time your bags are out of your control is the last night of a cruise. We put our bags in the hallway the night before and don't see them until we are off the ship.

 

[clkelley]

I tell them they were in hotel storage, and they never check them.

 

[seashoreCM]

Inspect the bags yourself again, after getting them back from Bell Services or whatever, and then the bags were not out of your control since packed.

Since you are the only one who officially has the key to a car you rented, baggage in the car or its trunk is not out of your control.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm