Women Travelers - Packing & scanning questions

Hello to everyone on the forum!
Since I'm a woman I'm hoping I've put this in the correct area (if I haven't I apologize in advance!) If not please let me know where I should put it and I'll re-post it there :)

First, I know some of this won't necessarily make sense (ie what we're doing isn't exactly or even remotely what you'd do in our shoes) but please bear with me anyway. I'm looking for constructive answers and ideas.

My husband (UKC), myself (USC) and our 2 cats are relocating from the UK to the US in June 2012.

We will be flying via Virgin Atlantic and paying for extra & excess baggage (about 5 bags each--it's actually cheaper for us to pay the excess baggage fees than it is to post items). The cats have to fly as cargo on the same flight as ourselves.

This probably will sound silly, but am I going to get groped down for having metal boning in my under-wire bra? Or do they know how to judge that on the security end of things? I don't travel a whole lot so I usually stuff my drivers license and my passport in my bra cup (they're big and it seems more likely I'd notice someone trying to pick it).

Also, I'm not sure where my monthly will fall in the scheme of things (stress has really made it wonky) but if I wear a pantyliner or a pad, will they see it on the scans? (ok, I know I'm a grown up, and these are natural body functions but I'd feel a bit embarrassed--but I'd just like to know if I can expect that?) :o

I only have a few pieces of jewelry, mostly heirlooms from my mother & grandmother. Should those be put in my carry on bag, or do I have to wear them? If I wear them will I need to take them off when you go through the scanners and stuff?

Ok, so my other questions: (please don't laugh, ok?)

I have a bunch of dolls (barbie size but not in boxes or containers), doll furniture and props that I wanted to be able to pack into my luggage. (Yea, I know, I'm an adult and shouldn't be playing with toys LOL...But I do, and it's a major hobby of mine). It's basically my collection and the most important bits are going in my carry on bag, and being mailed, but everything else is going in the checked luggage.

So when it comes to packing them--what do you suppose is the best way to go about it?

My main concerns are: that they not be packed in a way to get red flagged by security screening (here in the UK or in the US).
Some pieces are fragile and I was wondering if it was ok to wrap them in bubble-wrap and put them inside the suitcases? Or is that an issue and the security people will need to unwrap the items etc?

I've read that you're not supposed to put wrapped presents in your checked luggage and I wondered if since bubble-wrap isn't really transparent that it would fall into the same scenario and end up being unwrapped by security folks (on whichever side of the ocean).

Would I be better off just wrapping items in my clothing?
Will my bras (again under-wire) be flagged (since they have metal in them?)
I'd like to do whatever is least likely to have them moved about in the luggage since if they're just shoved back into the cases (helter-skelter) then they could get damaged etc).

TSA locks - as we will be leaving out of Heathrow are they still usable (Can Heathrow security open them as well? Or will they be cut off before the bags even get to the US?) Are they good to use or not worth bothering with? What do you use (if you use them at all) on hard shell cases that have latches instead of zip closures?

We have a portable hard drive (for storage) are we better off putting that in carry on luggage or shipping it via fed-ex? (I don't know what kind of x-rays and scanners they use at airports anymore and we really want the least amount of hassle possible).

I've got to admit that I'm all sorts of stressed at the moment with trying to book tickets, waiting for visas to arrive via couriers etc. I'd appreciate any suggestions and advice that you folks can spare. :D

Erica

This probably will sound silly, but am I going to get groped down for having metal boning in my under-wire bra?

I've read that you're not supposed to put wrapped presents in your checked luggage and I wondered if since bubble-wrap isn't really transparent that it would fall into the same scenario and end up being unwrapped by security folks (on whichever side of the ocean).



I have never had an issue when flying anywhere including out of Heathrow with my underwire. I also have had no issue wrapping fragile items in bubble wrap in checked luggage.

Welcome to FlyerTalk.

First, take a deep breath. Now take another one.

Nothing you are planning to do is weird, unusual, or suspicious. Menstruating women wearing underwire bras with their passports stuffed in them fly by the gazillions every day.

People take dolls, computers, hard drives, bottles of vodka, cats, presents, jewelry, artwork, musical instruments and all sorts of other things on planes every day (well, not necessarily into the cabin).

Everything's going to be fine.

I have a bunch of dolls...Some pieces are fragile and I was wondering if it was ok to wrap them in bubble-wrap and put them inside the suitcases? Or is that an issue and the security people will need to unwrap the items etc?

We have a portable hard drive (for storage) are we better off putting that in carry on luggage or shipping it via fed-ex?

Bubble wrap is fine for the dolls, but if you're concerned about their fragility, then they might be better off in your carryon.

Hard drive - definitely carry on. As I'm assuming there's information on it that you need/want and would prefer that other people do not have.

Welcome to the US!

I've never had an issue with underwires.

Don't pack anything you can't part with in checked baggage. Things get stolen.

Don't wear your jewelry. Put it in a compartment in your carry on that's hard to get to. (I'm assuming you'll be going through security in the US, too.) I have a small rolling bag with the lining attached with velcro. I put money and other valuables there. In the US, TSA agents do steal from people's carry-ons.

You'll have to take whatever is in your bra out before you go through the scanner. (In the US, don't know about the UK). If it's just a metal dectector, then you might be able to get away with having them stuffed in your bra, but with the other scanners, they have to come out.

It's not awful. You just go through it.

My husband (UKC), myself (USC) and our 2 cats are relocating from the UK to the US in June 2012.

We will be flying via Virgin Atlantic and paying for extra & excess baggage (about 5 bags each--it's actually cheaper for us to pay the excess baggage fees than it is to post items). The cats have to fly as cargo on the same flight as ourselves.

Ok, so my other questions: (please don't laugh, ok?)

I have a bunch of dolls (barbie size but not in boxes or containers), doll furniture and props that I wanted to be able to pack into my luggage. (Yea, I know, I'm an adult and shouldn't be playing with toys LOL...But I do, and it's a major hobby of mine). It's basically my collection and the most important bits are going in my carry on bag, and being mailed, but everything else is going in the checked luggage.

My main concerns are: that they not be packed in a way to get red flagged by security screening (here in the UK or in the US).
Some pieces are fragile and I was wondering if it was ok to wrap them in bubble-wrap and put them inside the suitcases? Or is that an issue and the security people will need to unwrap the items etc?

Would I be better off just wrapping items in my clothing?
EricaWelcome to FlyerTalk.

First, true confession, I still take a special little teddy bear with me when I travel, and I'm old enough to have a child who has outgrown his teddy bear. You won't get any grief about the dolls from me.:)

My biggest concern is the welfare of the cats (which technically belongs in the pet forum, but, hey); why are they in the cargo compartment? My understanding is that pets traveling from the UK could ride in the passenger compartment. What breed are they? We have one British Short Hair with the classic short nose, and our vet said she should never travel as cargo because of the breed's tendency toward nasal congestion, because of their narrow airways, and the problems caused by the pressurization of the cargo hold. In June, you might also run into heat problems, depending on your destination. I hope you can find a way to keep the cats with you.

As for bubble wrap and the dolls: in our last move I discovered how incredibly bulky bubble wrap can be. You'll need to pay attention to not only how much your bags weigh but how many bags you need to hold everything. I'd put only the most fragile items in bubble wrap, and use clothes to protect the rest.

Your "treasures" - jewelry, favorite doll - should absolutely go in your carry-on. Too many chances for thieves to access bags these days; which is why I use a sturdy suitcase from CostCo instead of a name brand/designer bag, so the bag doesn't scream "money here!" and become a target.

Hello to everyone on the forum!
Since I'm a woman I'm hoping I've put this in the correct area (if I haven't I apologize in advance!) If not please let me know where I should put it and I'll re-post it there :)

First, I know some of this won't necessarily make sense (ie what we're doing isn't exactly or even remotely what you'd do in our shoes) but please bear with me anyway. I'm looking for constructive answers and ideas.

My husband (UKC), myself (USC) and our 2 cats are relocating from the UK to the US in June 2012.

Are you flying direct, or do you have an internal flight in the US? If you are flying direct, I believe you only go through security etc leaving the UK.
We will be flying via Virgin Atlantic and paying for extra & excess baggage (about 5 bags each--it's actually cheaper for us to pay the excess baggage fees than it is to post items). The cats have to fly as cargo on the same flight as ourselves.

This probably will sound silly, but am I going to get groped down for having metal boning in my under-wire bra? Or do they know how to judge that on the security end of things? I don't travel a whole lot so I usually stuff my drivers license and my passport in my bra cup (they're big and it seems more likely I'd notice someone trying to pick it).

Also, I'm not sure where my monthly will fall in the scheme of things (stress has really made it wonky) but if I wear a pantyliner or a pad, will they see it on the scans? (ok, I know I'm a grown up, and these are natural body functions but I'd feel a bit embarrassed--but I'd just like to know if I can expect that?) :o


In the UK I don't normally have any issue with my underwire bras - occassionally they will use a wand that they wave over, but I've not been patted down in the UK for a number of years, and I always wear underwire bras.

Most scanner used in the UK are metal detector types, not the full body scanners - they do use them in Manchester (for everyone) and for some people in Heathrow - in the UK they are not opt out, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, if it is that time of the month etc, you can ask for the people viewing the image to be female (may take them a while to find female agents mind you - I got the impression that the staff in Manchester are not asked that very often).

In the US I believe you can opt out of the full body scanner and opt for a pat down (which I do) and that will be done by a female agent.

I only have a few pieces of jewelry, mostly heirlooms from my mother & grandmother. Should those be put in my carry on bag, or do I have to wear them? If I wear them will I need to take them off when you go through the scanners and stuff?

Carry on, absolutely. As someone else suggested, wrap them and bury them deep.

Ok, so my other questions: (please don't laugh, ok?)

I have a bunch of dolls (barbie size but not in boxes or containers), doll furniture and props that I wanted to be able to pack into my luggage. (Yea, I know, I'm an adult and shouldn't be playing with toys LOL...But I do, and it's a major hobby of mine). It's basically my collection and the most important bits are going in my carry on bag, and being mailed, but everything else is going in the checked luggage.

So when it comes to packing them--what do you suppose is the best way to go about it?

My main concerns are: that they not be packed in a way to get red flagged by security screening (here in the UK or in the US).
Some pieces are fragile and I was wondering if it was ok to wrap them in bubble-wrap and put them inside the suitcases? Or is that an issue and the security people will need to unwrap the items etc?

You can certainly use bubble wwrap, but as mentioned, it is very bulky. Clothes may be a better bet, but anything that fragile really should be in carry on.

I've read that you're not supposed to put wrapped presents in your checked luggage and I wondered if since bubble-wrap isn't really transparent that it would fall into the same scenario and end up being unwrapped by security folks (on whichever side of the ocean).

Would I be better off just wrapping items in my clothing?
Will my bras (again under-wire) be flagged (since they have metal in them?)
I'd like to do whatever is least likely to have them moved about in the luggage since if they're just shoved back into the cases (helter-skelter) then they could get damaged etc).

No issue with bras etc in luggage. They can unwrap, search etc any item they choose, so what I use is a compartment system for packing. I have fabric (lightweight) boxes, mine are from ikea, which I pack things into. Thus, when you open my suitcase, you see several cubes (and a layer of bulkier clothes on top. I pack things like underwear in them, any items I am bringing back, toiletries etc. it means if it is searched it is actually easy for them to do without making too much of a mess, open cube, look, close cube, put back in suitcase, and it means if a bag breaks, my knickers are not on the luggage belt! It also keeps things from moving around too much.

TSA locks - as we will be leaving out of Heathrow are they still usable (Can Heathrow security open them as well? Or will they be cut off before the bags even get to the US?) Are they good to use or not worth bothering with? What do you use (if you use them at all) on hard shell cases that have latches instead of zip closures?

I always use locks on my suitcases, if they want / need to they can open / cut them off, but I think it deters casual theives more. Hard sided, my mother just uses the combination lock on the suitcase, and security seem to have no issue opening it and closing it without breaking it.

We have a portable hard drive (for storage) are we better off putting that in carry on luggage or shipping it via fed-ex? (I don't know what kind of x-rays and scanners they use at airports anymore and we really want the least amount of hassle possible).

Carry on

I've got to admit that I'm all sorts of stressed at the moment with trying to book tickets, waiting for visas to arrive via couriers etc. I'd appreciate any suggestions and advice that you folks can spare. :D

Erica

Welcome to FlyerTalk, cheekyerica!

Don't stress out about the US security checkpoints. You can opt-out of the scanners if you wish; if you do, instead you will receive a pat-down by a female agent.

I do this frequently and I have to say despite their bad press, the agents who've I've met have been professional and are just doing their job. As long as you're not rude to them, they won't give you a difficult time.

Unfortunately theft is sometimes a problem at US airports (JFK is one I've seen frequently called out as a problem spot). Anything you cannot afford to lose should definitely be in your carry-on, preferably secured in an inside pocket if it is small and valuable.

If you haven't checked the Traveling with Pets forum, you should do so for advice about how to make your pets' trip the least stressful.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond to my post! :)

MissJoeyDFW, thank you for your experience. I hope my flight out will be as trouble free!

Katja, I appreciate the calmness of your words--I do need to remember to breathe, and that chances of things going catastrophically wrong (including cats flying) are slim (still possible, but maybe not exactly a 50/50 rate just yet). I just feel kind of unnerved because I'm a plan ahead, suss things out ahead of time sort of person and this is one instance where I can't do a "dry run". LOL

wrxmom, I'm planning on putting the special ones in my carry on bag, but the rest have to go in checked luggage. The hard drive has my husband's stuff on it (which I'm sure he thinks is important!) I'll make sure to tell him to pack it as his carry on.

manneca, Thank you! I've only been back once in the last 6 years so I really miss it!
Thank you for the advice about storing the jewelry. I'm not a big jewelry person, but I'd hate to lose those particular pieces.

(I'm assuming you'll be going through security in the US, too.) I have a small rolling bag with the lining attached with velcro. I put money and other valuables there. In the US, TSA agents do steal from people's carry-ons.

I'm guessing that I'll end up going through security twice? Once leaving the UK @ Heathrow, and once arriving in the US @ Newark (does that sound about right?

Those Agents must have busy little fingers to do it while things are being xrayed??

Carry on, absolutely. As someone else suggested, wrap them and bury them deep.
Wow, I guess they must really be good at nicking stuff! I'll definitely find/make a bag to attach to the bottom of the carry on with velcro!


First, true confession, I still take a special little teddy bear with me when I travel, and I'm old enough to have a child who has outgrown his teddy bear. You won't get any grief about the dolls from me.:)

CDTraveler :D thank you! The way I figure it I'm never going to be too old to play with toys (and I'm really lucky my husband is the same way!) I'm pretty sure my family will ask me what was I thinking to pack 5 cases and only enough clothes to fill one? LOL

My biggest concern is the welfare of the cats (which technically belongs in the pet forum, but, hey); why are they in the cargo compartment? My understanding is that pets traveling from the UK could ride in the passenger compartment. What breed are they? We have one British Short Hair with the classic short nose, and our vet said she should never travel as cargo because of the breed's tendency toward nasal congestion, because of their narrow airways, and the problems caused by the pressurization of the cargo hold. In June, you might also run into heat problems, depending on your destination. I hope you can find a way to keep the cats with you.

I was told by both airlines that we were looking into flying with (BA & Virgin Atlantic) that they would not be able to fly in the cabin from the UK.

Since I had to do that when I brought my cats with me from the US (different cats who died of cancer) it wasn't completely unexpected. We have standard domestic short hairs (both still "young") and our vet doesn't foresee any issues with them traveling in cargo.
We had a pretty good experience the last time they had to go (the other cats) on VA with no problems (and that was with a maine coon and an older, diabetic cat).

I suspect that the cabin-passengers would be put out if they did ride in the cabin as both of them are insistent "talkers".
Fingers crossed I'm hoping we all will make it through the flight ok. (Driving out of Newark is a different story though!)

As for bubble wrap and the dolls: in our last move I discovered how incredibly bulky bubble wrap can be. You'll need to pay attention to not only how much your bags weigh but how many bags you need to hold everything. I'd put only the most fragile items in bubble wrap, and use clothes to protect the rest.

I never really thought about bubblewrap being bulky, but I think you have a good point about it. I had thought to use it instead of clothes since I thought it might have more give. I'm obviously going to have to re-think that plan!

Too many chances for thieves to access bags these days; which is why I use a sturdy suitcase from CostCo instead of a name brand/designer bag, so the bag doesn't scream "money here!" and become a target.

Well, all of our luggage is second hand & hand me down. Add to that that because all the bags are either grey, black or red (and to me they look like all the other beat up bags you see on luggage claims) I peppered my pieces liberally with Peeps (made from felt cut outs). I'm now guarenteed not to miss my bags (bright pink, yellow & teal bunnies all over) and they certainly aren't screaming "I've got Hermes in here!". Maybe more like "There could be playdoh in here!" etc. My husband just laughed when he saw what I did but I think it's a side-effect of being a "crafty" person. Besides, I like peeps! ;)

Emma, thank you for the info about security & scanning!
Are you flying direct, or do you have an internal flight in the US? If you are flying direct, I believe you only go through security etc leaving the UK.

It's supposed to be a direct flight from Heathrow to Newark. No other flights, just a rental car and a hotel LOL!

In the UK I don't normally have any issue with my underwire bras - occassionally they will use a wand that they wave over, but I've not been patted down in the UK for a number of years, and I always wear underwire bras.
Thank you for that. I mean, I don't mind if they've got to pat me down/ frisk me, it's just a case of what to expect.

Most scanner used in the UK are metal detector types, not the full body scanners - they do use them in Manchester (for everyone) and for some people in Heathrow - in the UK they are not opt out, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, if it is that time of the month etc, you can ask for the people viewing the image to be female (may take them a while to find female agents mind you - I got the impression that the staff in Manchester are not asked that very often).

In the US I believe you can opt out of the full body scanner and opt for a pat down (which I do) and that will be done by a female agent.

Thank you for that--I thought they would probably be the full body imaging ones. And knowing that I can ask for a female agent is good (I had no idea you even could! I assumed you just did whatever they said and that was that... Although if it means making a line chances are I'll just take it on the chin. Rather just get it over with than irritate a whole line of folks.

No issue with bras etc in luggage. They can unwrap, search etc any item they choose, so what I use is a compartment system for packing. I have fabric (lightweight) boxes, mine are from ikea, which I pack things into. Thus, when you open my suitcase, you see several cubes (and a layer of bulkier clothes on top. I pack things like underwear in them, any items I am bringing back, toiletries etc. it means if it is searched it is actually easy for them to do without making too much of a mess, open cube, look, close cube, put back in suitcase, and it means if a bag breaks, my knickers are not on the luggage belt! It also keeps things from moving around too much.

Good to know that they can open up whatever they feel like (for good reason since we all want to be safe).
Those fabric boxes sound like an interesting solution. I was planning on using some vaccuum bags and ziplocks for the most part. Maybe I shoudl try to make a trip to Ikea this weekend...


I always use locks on my suitcases, if they want / need to they can open / cut them off, but I think it deters casual theives more. Hard sided, my mother just uses the combination lock on the suitcase, and security seem to have no issue opening it and closing it without breaking it.

Thanks. I'll tell my husband we'll pick up some locks for the soft bags then.

Sprezzatura, thank you.


Don't stress out about the US security checkpoints.

I'll try not to! ;)


Unfortunately theft is sometimes a problem at US airports (JFK is one I've seen frequently called out as a problem spot). Anything you cannot afford to lose should definitely be in your carry-on, preferably secured in an inside pocket if it is small and valuable.

If you haven't checked the Traveling with Pets forum, you should do so for advice about how to make your pets' trip the least stressful.

It seems like it must be something of a problem, but I hope by taking some reasonable precautions and wishing for the best that we'll get by without losing much (if anything!)

I'm going to check out the Traveling with Pets forum shortly, and appreciate the suggestions.


Again I want to thank everyone for piping up and helping me out here. :D

I'm guessing that I'll end up going through security twice? Once leaving the UK @ Heathrow, and once arriving in the US @ Newark (does that sound about right?

If you are leaving the airport at Newark, not flying on to another destination, you will not go through security again. When you land at Newark, you'll go through immigration. Then get your bags at baggage claim and go through customs. Then - apparently - you are going to get a rental car and leave?

You only go through security at Newark if you are continuing on another flight^

One quick note on the dolls in your luggage. If you have ever watched them load the bags on a plane, you'll know that they throw (and I mean throw) those bags on to the conveyor belt to get into and out of the plane. Multiple bags may be packed on top of yours in the hold of the plane.

I say this because if any of your dolls are broken, damaged, or lost, you have very limited options to get any money out of the airline for this. Their damage limits are very low.

So if you would be heartbroken about any of these dolls being damaged or lost, you may want to ship them home so that you could bubble wrap and insure them.

I have a bunch of dolls (barbie size but not in boxes or containers), doll furniture and props that I wanted to be able to pack into my luggage. (Yea, I know, I'm an adult and shouldn't be playing with toys LOL...But I do, and it's a major hobby of mine). It's basically my collection and the most important bits are going in my carry on bag, and being mailed, but everything else is going in the checked luggage.

So when it comes to packing them--what do you suppose is the best way to go about it?

Erica

I often use sturdy plastic boxes to pack fragile stuff inside the luggage. Think a _good_ food container (not a single use kind). Get a few big ones and then pack several dolls etc in each with appropriate padding (bubble warp, packing paper, socks, whatever).

If you do not have a connection in the US, in most cases, you DO NOT go through US security, and so your luggage will most probably not be opened by security. But if this might happen, making it easy for them to pack things back up is the smart thing to do: don't overstuff your bags, and make sure there is plenty of padding with the fragile stuff.

Also, think about how you pack your bag: Make things that might look weird on x-ray sit in one layer (or at least not a thick layer), like books - do not put a big pile of books, but rather spread them out. Stuff shoes with socks, but don't stuff them with small metal items that then looks a big jumble. Put stuff that is going to show up on x-ray (wax, electronics, metalstuff and probably others too) sit near the top, easily identifiable. This allows security to questions something, open your bag and go "ah, that's what it is" and close it right back up. Been there, done that, gotten better at packing for security along the way.

As someone else said: anything that you cannot live without: carry on or ship.

DanishFlyer

Good advice above. Especially the suggestion about putting anything that might x-ray as suspicious on top (checked or carry-on). I always LOCK my carry-on bags when going through the security checkpoint and bury the key in a side pocket. Or use a combination lock. That way they can't open my bag to paw through it unless I'm present.

Thank you for that--I thought they would probably be the full body imaging ones. And knowing that I can ask for a female agent is good (I had no idea you even could! I assumed you just did whatever they said and that was that... Although if it means making a line chances are I'll just take it on the chin. Rather just get it over with than irritate a whole line of folks.

If it isn't too late, on the 'holding up the line' thing - you don't - you stand to the side while others carry on going through until they are ready for you to go through. No iconvenience to anyone but yourself (and the agents they have to find - frankly, I don't think it should be an issue for them to find two, same-gender screeners at all times.