The Real Reason for Plastic Wrapping Your Luggage - Peter Greenberg Travel Detective (2024)

FAQs

The Real Reason for Plastic Wrapping Your Luggage - Peter Greenberg Travel Detective? ›

There's a reason for plastic-wrapping your luggage, and it's extra protection. It's a great deterrent against baggage theft, especially when you realize that bag thieves don't steal bags as much as they take individual items of value from bags. A fully-wrapped bag is often too much trouble for them.

Bag Wrap, just one company that will sheath your luggage in cling film, with locations in airports all around Europe, states five: that it protects your luggage from damage, deters thieves, weather-proofs it, makes it easily identifiable, and reduces the risk of someone slipping illicit goods into your bag.

Wrapping provides a layer of protection that not only shields the luggage from damage but also effectively wards off would-be thieves. Plus, service is delivered in much less than the time it takes to cue at the check-in counters! Discourages opportunist criminals from tampering with your luggage.

The transparent layer of foil will protect your baggage from scratches and dents, which may occur during traveling. It is also possible to get an extra layer of bubble foil underneath the shrink foil, so the suitcase or bag (or other piece of baggage) will be even better protected from damage.

After you disembark you have to go pick up your luggage in a big room with lots of other luggage and it's easier to spot with something unique on it. Another way it comes in handy is if it gets lost and you have to describe it to someone you can say "yeah it's the one with the bright pink duct tape on it".

Can I wrap my luggage in plastic? Absolutely! Wrapping luggage in plastic is a simple way to deter theft, keep your bag clean and dry, and keep your items from spilling out if your bag opens up while you're traveling.

There's something about a covered suitcase that says, “Move along, nothing to see here.” By hiding zippers and pockets, a luggage cover adds a sneaky layer of security. It's not a foolproof plan against theft, but it sure makes a would-be thief think twice, giving you that extra bit of confidence as you roam.

In addition to providing convenience and peace of mind, luggage locks play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and integrity of your luggage during air travel. These locks prevent unauthorized access to your belongings and minimize the risk of theft or tampering.

Anything that's potentially flammable or explosive will be removed. Items that agents are unsure about will be flagged for up-close inspection. In both scenarios, your bag will end up with a little “Notice of Inspection” tag on it.

It also usually means planes aren't as clean, because they don't spend time removing trash from the plane to try to get back on schedule,” Leff said. “They're really trying to get the plane out to keep its schedule, and not having to deal with carry-on bags is a key way of doing that.”

How much does it cost to plastic wrap luggage? ›

How much does it cost? Prices vary by company, but the service usually costs between $15-20 for one regular-sized bag, and $22 and up for oversized/irregular items including golf clubs and bikes.

Even though the TSA doesn't ban aluminum foil—it even suggests using it to transport flowers—metal can make automatic bag scans more difficult, so foils may trigger a hand search.

Duct tape: This item is permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage.

Try this : Tie a Ribbon on the Handles Very simple, but which can prove to be very effective: tie a ribbon on the handles of your suitcase. Choose a bright color or even better, opt for a fluorescent strip.

A few examples include a bright luggage strap, a bold-hued luggage tag, or a patterned handle wrap coupled with some cute stickers or patches. If you want to be extra cautious, consider tying a colorful ribbon or patterned scarf to the suitcase handle so you can more easily spot it from a distance.

To comply:

1. Passengers can visit a baggage-wrapping station at OR Tambo International Airport to wrap their bags at a standard cost of R90 per bag. 2. The cost of wrapping an irregular bag is no different from the normal cost of wrapping a regularly-shaped bag.

Some people wrap bags so they don't get damaged, such as bags with straps. Others do it as a security method, because as you say its a hassle to unwrap it to get anything from the bag, so its a way to deter thieves.

Baggage wrapping stations are located on the departures level. Due to potential issues with the baggage screening system only the plastic wrap used by Secure Wrap has been tested and approved. Any baggage that has been wrapped by any other source will not be accepted and will be removed.