Airport security going through luggage

[Leslie]

Last year when we flew to WDW we got to our hotel and opened up our suitcase only to find it had been opened and ransacked terribly. I guess it was my cell phone charger that set that search off but to completely destroy what I had put in there upside down in mashed piles. I was NOT happy. So here's my question, Were going again in June and now have a breathing machine, heating pad and yes a cell phone charger to pack. So how can I make sure this doesent happen again? I understand they do have to check when they see wires in checked luggage but to flip everything around and jam it shut thats just rude. I will say though, if they miss treat that piece of breathing treatment and it breaks the airlines will owe us alot of money to replace it when we get to Orlando. It is not something we can carry on with us so any suggestions on how to heep things in your checked luggage right side up and safe should I say would be appreaciated? Thanks in advance

[Drince88]

Is there a reason you can't carry it on? If your husband needs it to sleep, what happens if your luggage gets delayed a day or two?


That said, I have had my bag opened, but never 'ransacked' - the only reason I could tell that it was opened was the note they left. And I've often packed multiple chargers in my bags. It really depends on how your home airport is set up. If you hand the bag to the TSA agent yourself after it gets tagged by the airline, you could say something to them. I know at my parent's airport (Portland, OR) the way they have it set up, I have to bring my bag over to the machine, hand it to the agent, and then I can walk to the back end of the machine and see where it goes from there. I think they separate the bags there, but they open them in private, so you MIGHT be able to ask. But at other airports, the machines and all are behind the scenes, so you can't do anything like that.

[GusMan]

Ive had my checked bags searched, but never ransacked, like you described. At the same time, we put electrical items (chargers, curling irons, etc,) either on top of the luggage in plain sight or in one of the outside pouches. That way, the odds of having things ripped apart is reduced.

Another thing, from which I speak from experience, is to not overpack your bags. (Not saying that you did this causing the search - just a general tip) If they have to go through a ton of stuff to make sure the bag is safe, the more likely that it will appear to be in disarray later. This tip also goes for your carryons as well. I know with certain airlines limiting the number of free checked bags, this may be more of a challenge, but it is something to keep in mind.

[bradk]

i don't think there's a guaranteed way to prevent it. you might want to review the TSA site though. for example, they suggest not packing food or stacks of books in checked luggage because they can trigger false positives which result in manual searches

[bennette]

Each airport varies so much; I don't think you can prevent it either. You can asked to watch while they check or you can let them know you have some special equipment so they know you're okay with their looking but I've have extremely varied success with this.

I do think you can minimize the trauma by packing things in bags, either big ziplock bags or space-saver backs that are specific for travel. (See thru bags only!) Use the tie-down straps in your bags to keep things tidy. And like the earlier poster said, keep the odd looking stuff on top.

I used to carry a yoga timer with me everywhere. I couldn't take it on the plane with my carry-on because obviously it lookd like it could be part of a timing device. I'd leave it with my check in luggage and try to give the TSA a heads up. After being a tidy packer and making sure to leave extra time for a TSA check for a couple of years, I gave up and left it at home. No one was ever purposefully destructive but I had three suitcases broken and I got picked for way too many of those "random" extra security checks. It just wasn't worth it.

I think the TSA could come up with better ways of identifying true security threats but when you're the one getting the pat-down, you're not in the best place to argue!

Any chance you could ship your special equipment ahead to your hotel? For longer trips, husband and I sometimes use a special service in order to skip the whole mess.

[bennette]

Also, if TSA were to break something, they would be responsible for that claim, not your airline. You might want to check that part of the TSA site as well as your airline site on damage claim limitations.

Airline damage claims can be fairly laborious. I'm sure you can guess what a government process would be like.

[biolabetty]

I bought some of those packing cubes, pouches, and pack-its from Eagle Creek. That way if they needed to look at something, everything else wasn't completely destroyed, and my packing was very organized. I have nothing outside of a cube or pack, so all they have to do is look at what they want to and not have to rummage through all of my belongings.

[LdyApxr]

DH has a Cpap machine that he brings as a carry-on. With his apnea we can never take the chance that the machine might not make it with the rest of our luggage. I would do a carry-on with it if at all possible.

[steamboatpookster]

I feel for you. The last time I flew was October, 2006. If I never fly again, I'd be content. I used to love to fly, but not anymore. I flew from Nashville to Boston and I was made to feel like a terrorist. Ridiculously long lines, rude personel and idiotic measures. I've flown everywhere from Tokyo to London--but I would rather not fly anymore. In 2003 my luggage was ransacked just like yours. Ridiculous.

My wife wanted to fly to WDW from Nashville a few Summers ago. I didn't have to talk her out of it, the next day there was some act of terrorism on a plane from London or something and everyone's schedule was decimated. She quickly changed her mind. We are fortunate enough to live close enough to drive.

I'm just worried about a scheduled trip I have for a men's get-together/burthday bash in Hong Kong in 2009. I probably won't go. Especially with the cost of flying today--the prices are outrageous!

[Cheshire Figment]

Were going again in June and now have a breathing machine, heating pad and yes a cell phone charger to pack. So how can I make sure this doesn't happen again?

Do NOT, under any circumstance, pack any medical equipment in checked luggage!!! Any medical equipment is over and above any published carry-on limitations and must be allowed.

[danyoung]

Do NOT, under any circumstance, pack any medical equipment in checked luggage!!! Any medical equipment is over and above any published carry-on limitations and must be allowed.

I just did a search of TSA's website. And while they do say that you can carry your CPAP (breathing machine) on the plane, it said nothing about it being disallowed in checked baggage. Do you have some other info?

[Drince88]

I just did a search of TSA's website. And while they do say that you can carry your CPAP (breathing machine) on the plane, it said nothing about it being disallowed in checked baggage. Do you have some other info?

I think that's just standard advice for medical equipment. I've seen WAY too many people stuck overnight in the airport wanting to get to their meds in their checked bag - I'd never pack any required equipment, either.

[danyoung]

While I agree with you in principle, Cathy, I think Cheshire Figment was saying that there's some legality to having medical equipment in your checked bag, and I didn't find that to be the case.

[91wingnut]

Hello all,

I work for an airline in Philadelphia, so I can tell you a little inside info as far as my airline goes. ANY and ALL MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, IF POSSIBLE ( EXCEPT FOR WHEELCHAIRS, ETC.) SHOULD BE CARRIED ONBOARD! If a passenger feels uncomfortable doing this, or has potentially dangerous items (as my diabetic son does with his syringes), they can be locked up in the first class closet. There is a small closet aboard all aircraft by the cockpit which the crew uses to lock up their belongings (wallets and purses, small suitcases). Just mention what you have to a stewardess and it can be put in the closet for you. The only thing they ask is that you do not require its use during the flight (dangerous goods - oxygen, etc. can be ordered for you through the airline).

As far as "ransacking the bags", I feel for you all who have experienced this. Unfortunately, alot of times it is not the TSA who is doing this, but dishonest airline ramp personnel (the people who load the bags on the plane) looking for valuables . A quick way to tell who has been in your bag is to look for a letter. Any bag inspected by TSA should have an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper with a letter explaining that you bag was inspected and why right on top of your stuff as you open the bag. This ransacking is not as wide spread as it once was. Airlines are quick to monitor baggage handlers now, and are quicker to fire them if caught going through bags.

If, however, you do find items missing from your bags, go to the airline's baggage claim office and fill out a missing item claim report. All airlines carry insurance for situations such as this. I believe the upper limit now is $1500.00 per bag..........Hope this helps

[KJSJpipe]

A quick way to tell who has been in your bag is to look for a letter. Any bag inspected by TSA should have an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper with a letter explaining that you bag was inspected and why right on top of your stuff as you open the bag. This ransacking is not as wide spread as it once was.

Do they always leave a letter? When my friend and I flew to WDW in August of last year (SW out of Philly) both our bags were checked and had a little sticker that said TSA on it that was on the luggage tag (ME tag??) but no letter.

[dahunter1129]

Bring a copy of your precsription for any dme, like a CPAP. My dh uses one, and I used to work for a dme company, and yes, per all above, any medical equipment should be carry on. However, we watched a woman witha CPAP be harassed beyond belief, because the TSA doing the screening had no idea what her CPAP was. Your CPAP should have a travel bag, and we just pack it up, and have a copy of the RX handy. If you have an older, bulky model, see if DH's insurance will cover a newer model...they really have gotten lots smaller. Same goes for nebulizers, oxygen, nutrition pumps...they should all be carry on, and should not count against your "carry on" limit.

[Cheshire Figment]

My comment was not a legal comment, it involved health and safety. If you have any medical equipment or supplies with you do not put them in checked luggage.

And the airlines are required by law to allow you to carry medical equipment and supplies on board and this is over and above your normal carry-on limitiations

[SuefromRI]

We have had our luggage opened a couple of times and only knew it because of the notice left on top, nothing was mashed or destroyed. We went for 16 years without any lost or late luggage, but had problems twice in the last year. I would also recommend trying to carry on any medically needed item, just in case.

[GusMan]

If you have any medical equipment or supplies with you do not put them in checked luggage.

This surely goes for any prescription meds as well. Got a call from a friend who had a layover in Ohio last Friday while going home from FL. Due to all the snow that came rushing in over the weekend, he got stuck there - without his checked luggage. He was without his meds because of it.

CF's comments are a good reminder that you have got to be prepared and keep the items that you need the most close to you at all times.

[danyoung]

My comment was not a legal comment, it involved health and safety.

Thanks for that clarification. What I'm trying to find out (and maybe wingnut can weigh in) is if there's any legal reason NOT to put a CPAP machine in the luggage. I may be bringing mine along in the near future, but I can live without it if need be. I don't want to hassle with it as a carry-on, and it won't kill me if it's delayed a day or so. I'd like to check it inside my suitcase, unless anyone perceives any problem with that.

[Leslie]

Thats a great question. As I stated when I started the thread I have a nebulizer machine and hubby has a cpap machine and we really dont want want to carry these in our carry ons if possible. I will have my rescue inhalers so I think I will be fine until the luggage showed up and hubbys cpap, well if we lose that then we will get 2 rooms for sleeping just like I have already set up with Disney. But I will use the current advice about carring meds and putting all things with electrical cords on top before closing suitaces. Hopefully they wont have to ransake me again to check it out. Also, another poster said that employees who put the luggage on planes were most likely to open up luggage and steal that would take some guts because I always sit by the windows and watch them put in luggage and never saw that happening. Maybe they do it while in the plane. That would make sense. But thanks for all the good advice.

[91wingnut]

Thanks for that clarification. What I'm trying to find out (and maybe wingnut can weigh in) is if there's any legal reason NOT to put a CPAP machine in the luggage.

I don't know of any LEGAL reason not to allow CPAP machines in luggage. If I'm right in my thinking, they do not generate oxygen, they just blow ambient air. Is that correct? If so, there would be no heat generation and no fire hazard. Are they battery powered? If so, you'd have to take the battery out and tell the airline (as with a battery powered wheelchair) so the battery could be put in a separate container (if lead acid - if ni-cad there is no problem)

What I would do if putting the CPAP in my luggage is to type out on your computer exactly what a CPAP is, what it does, and why you need it. Or maybe even have your doctor do it, and tape it right to the front of the CPAP. That way, any airline or TSA person that comes across it will know what it is, it won't be "suspicious", and in my opinion would make it less stressful for you to bring it along. If they don't know what it is, they can page you to open the bag and explain it to them, or even pull the bag off the flight because of a "suspicious" item. Silly I know, but unfortunately in these times being overly cautious is the right way to go to ensure a safe flight.

[91wingnut]

Do they always leave a letter? When my friend and I flew to WDW in August of last year (SW out of Philly) both our bags were checked and had a little sticker that said TSA on it that was on the luggage tag (ME tag??) but no letter.

They should always leave a letter if they had to open your bag for inspection. What that little sticker on your bag tag meant was that your bad had gone through the TSA x-ray machine and was ready for the airline personnel to load on the plane. No bag without that little sticker is allowed out of the bag room onto the tarmac (where the planes are - sorry - airport talk!)

[91wingnut]

Also, another poster said that employees who put the luggage on planes were most likely to open up luggage and steal that would take some guts because I always sit by the windows and watch them put in luggage and never saw that happening. Maybe they do it while in the plane. That would make sense. But thanks for all the good advice.

I'm almost sorry I said that. It was not meant to scare anyone. Believe me, it is extremely rare nowadays. My airline even puts dummy bags with valuables on planes sometimes with small video cameras in them just to see if it still is happening. I can tell you that noone has been caught in Philly for at least 5 yrs now. Most baggage handlers realize it's not worth losing you job and being prosecuted for.

Just pack sensibly. Try, if you can, to pack any jewelry, cameras, or any other electronics into your carry on, along with one change of clothes (just in case your bags don't make it). Bring as many valuables on board with you as you can. And of course, NEVER put any cash or travelers checks, or even Mickey dollars in your suitcase.

Final tip: if you must put your camera or video camera in your suitcase, remove all memory cards and video tapes and put them in your carry on. The airline will replace you cameras if they are lost/stolen (see my previous post) but they can't replace your vacation memories.......hope this helps!

[LdyApxr]

Am I the only one that uses small locks on my luggage? Whenever I have checked in, I explain it to the baggage people and they usually run my bag right then and if they choose to search it, I open it for them. I have never had a issue with them doing this for me. Maybe it is just me though?