Do you WRAP IT - or DON'T WRAP IT?

[Cossie]

Even TSA locks can get cut (Lazy TSA agents?).

Yep, happened to SWMBO on her most recent trip to Vancouver.

I don't wrap but do lock, it would depend on the destination I was going to for me to consider wrapping.

 

[UP4014]

Don't wrap, but sometimes lock. Only lock if international and connecting flights involvde. If my bag is locked then hopefully they try someone elses bag which isn't.

Matt

 

[deejo77]

I have wrapped once - it was in KUL - when we arrived at the airport is was a raining so bad I didn't think we were even going to get into the air - I wrapped it to keep my goods inside dry not for any security reason.

 

[bismarck]

I'll generally lock if flying internationally. Not that I really have anything valuable in there, but I have the locks so may as well use them.

 

[Cynicor]

That insertion issue is curious to me. How does this work in favour of them? Does a baggage handler spot a bag in say Sydney, going to a specific destination on a specific flight, opens up and puts something in it, then tells his mate in the arrival airport to find it amongst the rest, open it up and remove it? Or wait until the person collects it, then gets them to open it up and hey presto, thanks for the parcel?

It's definitely done by authorities- remember those cases of missing weed that was planted and meant to be found by the detector dogs?

But I think in terms of using it as a courier method illegally, it's highly unlikely to be a regular thing.

 

[clazman]

Wrapped once, got sold a story at Brisbane, that there was a possibility my bags would get wet because 9/10 Fiji baggage handlers will leave them outside in a tropical down pour.

Always have TSA locks on, came with the suitcase, if not probably not....

 

[Cruiser Elite]

FWIW I regularly see 20 to 50 pax lined up in MEL awaiting to have their bags wrapped - check it out next visit - wrapping service located just inside T2 adjacent to K check in counter.

 

[Quickstatus]

I wonder if wrapping elevates chance of a bag being inspected?.

 

[james4321]

Everyone is focusing on the theft aspect, a few are mentioning the planting of items into the suitcase but one of the other things that wrapping is good for is the protection from scratching and scuff marks which occur to all luggage.

I use it frequently - mainly because I see it as "peace of mind" ie when I get to my destination I can see that my luggage is intact. The last thing I need at the end of a long flight is any hassle with my luggage. And theft from luggage is real - check out the company's Facebook page. And Eric you are right, the protection from scuffing etc is valuable as is the waterproofing aspect. I think that a lot of the wrapping is for things other than suitcases, the photo in the OP shows boxes being wrapped, and I have seen many car seats and prams ( i guess for the cleanliness aspect) and fragile items wrapped. My view is that it is well worth what is little more than the cost of a couple of coffees but as always YMMV.

 

[UP4014]

It's definitely done by authorities- remember those cases of missing weed that was planted and meant to be found by the detector dogs?

But I think in terms of using it as a courier method illegally, it's highly unlikely to be a regular thing.

It would be easier to put something in the hold near the door, then the next guy knows where it is.

 

[clazman]

One boogie board full of drugs creates a business opportunity

 

[Reise]

I have wrapped a suitcase that failed (split) on the way to the airport. Was very happy that the wrappers were there but in general no.

 

[opusman]

That insertion issue is curious to me. How does this work in favour of them? Does a baggage handler spot a bag in say Sydney, going to a specific destination on a specific flight, opens up and puts something in it, then tells his mate in the arrival airport to find it amongst the rest, open it up and remove it?

That was Corby's excuse.

 

[andye]

That was Corby's excuse.

As I missed the original event, the seeming importance of Corby in the Australian people's consciousness is a bit of mystery to me

 

[james4321]

As I missed the original event, the seeming importance of Corby in the Australian people's consciousness is a bit of mystery to me

Also andye - its not relevant to the topic anyway, luggage wrapping started a long time before the Corby affair.

 

[blackcat20]

Never bothered wrapping, but then, I've never been to Asia. I use a TSA lock but valuables are always in my carry-on.

 

[3eef]

Never used to wrap. Now I do from certain airports... I can confirm this insertion thing does happen. A mate of mine came home and found 3 bottles of whiskey in his bag that he didn't put in there... They Also happened to notice a very similar bag on the carousel for the same flight...

 

[dajop]

Also andye - its not relevant to the topic anyway, luggage wrapping started a long time before the Corby affair.

But didn't it really "take off" after the Corby affair?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Wrapping guarantees a loss, as you have to pay for it. Fly a lot, and that would add up.....

As others have posted NEVER put anything valuable in your check-in bag.

Don't use expensive luggage. The luggage itself can be worth stealling!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Another data point - I know of two companies - one Oz based and the other US based - where it is is compulsory for ALL employees flying intl to have luggage wrapped and rcpts provided - no exceptions.