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

[Renato1]

I don't understand why one would bother wrapping luggage - other that there is a slight chance that customs people opening suitcases may not want to do the extra work of unwrapping it before cutting the lock, and instead go and open someone else's not-wrapped suitcase.

Flying into Berlin from Prague, German officials cut open my suitcase lock and left it in my suitcase with a pleasant note telling me of their actions.

Since then, my brother showed me how using the point of a ballpoint pen on the zipped area of the suitcase easily opens most suitcase zippers - so what is the point of locking a suitcase, much less to pay for wrapping it?
Regards,
Renato

 

[james4321]

I don't understand why one would bother wrapping luggage - other that there is a slight chance that customs people opening suitcases may not want to do the extra work of unwrapping it before cutting the lock, and instead go and open someone else's not-wrapped suitcase.

Flying into Berlin from Prague, German officials cut open my suitcase lock and left it in my suitcase with a pleasant note telling me of their actions.

Since then, my brother showed me how using the point of a ballpoint pen on the zipped area of the suitcase easily opens most suitcase zippers - so what is the point of locking a suitcase, much less to pay for wrapping it?
Regards,
Renato

The pen in the zip trick is probably the major reason why wrapping is done. Because once wrapped you can't get at the zip to pierce the teeth and open it.

 

[JohnK]

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

In my limited experience AQIS is less likely to inspect golf clubs and shoes if the bag is wrapped. They have waived me through last few times after asking questions.

The golf bag cost me ~$170. That's not expensive by any stretch of the imagination but travelling regularly with the golf bag means the bag lasts only 3-4 trips. Holes in the hood. The stand broken. Scuff marks everywhere. Now I have a golf travel bag the golf bag is fine but the golf travel bag gets damaged quickly.

Currently only wrap it in Thailand but I'd wrap it in Australia as well if bag wrapping queues were not ridiculously long.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Currently only wrap it in Thailand but I'd wrap it in Australia as well if bag wrapping queues were not ridiculously long.

Bingo - I knew somebody would post it soonest or later.

Maybe - just maybe the AFF community is totally unrepresentative of general flying public? Yeah yeah we all all knew that anyway.

 

[trentusjuventus]

+1 for no wrapping and no locking here. I don't think I've seen the service at TPE where I fly from most times, but I still wouldn't bother even if it were provided. I think I had a family member bring golf clubs over from MEL once for me and they wrapped the clubs/bag, but that was more because the bag was on its last legs.

 

[Major]

Couldn't be bothered wrapping or locking. Valuables and medication are in cabin luggage. They are welcome to go through my Big W underwear.

I used to lock but after the Yanks started chopping locks I don't bother anymore

 

[qkslvr]

No wrapping for me. But I do take a series of pictures of the contents on my phone as I pack it, and then the outside.

This is a good idea, might just start doing this.

 

[Pushka]

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

That was when wrapping started.

 

[james4321]

That was when wrapping started.

No it has been around since well before Corby. In Australia since around 2000 I think, overseas since the 80's.

 

[Mark3000]

I buy hundred packs of zip ties from Bunnings and put them through all zips. Doesn't stop the determined thief or someone doing the pen trick but at least makes it a bit harder for someone and more likely to move on to the next bag. Just need to remember to have scissors in an outside pocket to cut them at other end. Much cheaper than TSA licks and never need to worry about losing them.
Seriously worth watching videos on YouTube of people doing the pen trick

 

[The Flying Brick]

The pen in the zip trick is probably the major reason why wrapping is done. Because once wrapped you can't get at the zip to pierce the teeth and open it.

Not just a pen.
A key or any other reasonably sturdy and semi sharp object can easily open up a zip.

Done it myself a couple of times know with other keys after misplacing my case key :erm:

 

[Princess Fiona]

No I never wrap my luggage. Nor do I put anything in there that couldn't be easily replaced courtesy of TI claim

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

No wrap or lock, wrap will get removed and locks just get cut off by security. I've even had TSA approved locks being cut off by the TSA, so why bother.

 

[james4321]

No wrap or lock, wrap will get removed and locks just get cut off by security. I've even had TSA approved locks being cut off by the TSA, so why bother.

As I said earlier I use the wrapping service frequently, and I have never ever had it cut off or removed anywhere in the World - even in the USA where I go a lot. There is a misconception that USA doesnt allow wrapping but in fact it is available at many airports there.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

As I said earlier I use the wrapping service frequently, and I have never ever had it cut off or removed anywhere in the World - even in the USA where I go a lot. There is a misconception that USA doesnt allow wrapping but in fact it is available at many airports there.

If something of interest comes up on the X-ray, your wrap will be removed. You have probably just been lucky that nothing in your bag is of interest to TSA.

 

[JohnK]

The pen in the zip trick is probably the major reason why wrapping is done. Because once wrapped you can't get at the zip to pierce the teeth and open it.

So if you use a cable tie from the luggage zip to a nearby pocket zip then this trick cannot be used without you knowing?

 

[Mark3000]

JohnK that's a great idea!

 

[donovan301]

I don't understand why one would bother wrapping luggage - other that there is a slight chance that customs people opening suitcases may not want to do the extra work of unwrapping it before cutting the lock, and instead go and open someone else's not-wrapped suitcase.

Flying into Berlin from Prague, German officials cut open my suitcase lock and left it in my suitcase with a pleasant note telling me of their actions.

Since then, my brother showed me how using the point of a ballpoint pen on the zipped area of the suitcase easily opens most suitcase zippers - so what is the point of locking a suitcase, much less to pay for wrapping it?
Regards,
Renato

One good reason to wrap luggage is one of expense reduction.

If your airline limits amount of checked items then wrapping TWO Suitcases together then make ONE item of checked luggage.

As long as it is inside weight restrictions per item then you just saved yourself and additional checked baggage charge.

Thanks, D

 

[Cynicor]

One good reason to wrap luggage is one of expense reduction.

If your airline limits amount of checked items then wrapping TWO Suitcases together then make ONE item of checked luggage.

As long as it is inside weight restrictions per item then you just saved yourself and additional checked baggage charge.

Thanks, D

Would not that make it a bulky oversize item most of the time, and incur more expense? Have you actually done it?

Luggage limits are rarely a problem for me, almost all my carriers use the weight system.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I almost always lock my luggage, but that's with a $2 lock so the zip won't accidentally open. When I'm not using a lock, I use a cable tie. Never wrapped my luggage, but if it's pouring rain outside, I guess I might do it. For the frequent travellers who like the wrap, you can consider getting yourself one of those shrink wrap rolls yourself. It's widely used in the road freight industry where pallets are wrapped before going on to the trucks. You don't really want to carry it with you, but at least you can wrap it at home and save a few dollars.