MilesBuzz! - Could someone describe checked luggage search?

Could someone describe what goes on when your checked bags are searched? Are all bags searched? Are you standing there when it is done? Does the attendant change to a fresh pair of gloves before rummaging through your clothing?

Do you use luggage locks? Do you pack any differently (use plastic bags, toiletries storage, etc)? Suggestions welcome. I will be flying AA.

Thanks,
- bcc

If your airline/airport has a scanner or a dog it won't have to be searched in most cases.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bevcc:
Could someone describe what goes on when your checked bags are searched? Are all bags searched? Are you standing there when it is done? Does the attendant change to a fresh pair of gloves before rummaging through your clothing?</font>
Bev,
Checked bags must be screened for explosives under the new law by an explosive detection system device. If an explosive detection system device is not available then the airlines may use one of several alternative forms of screening, including xraying bags to look for explosive devices, bomb sniffing dogs, hand searching, or bag matching. Bag matching does not involve searching of your checking bags it just provides that your bag may not be checked and fly on your first leg unless you have gotten on the plane. Bag matching is what has occurred as a minimum on all international flights since sometime after the Lockerbie bombing. If xraying is done they are not looking for razors, knives, or the like, as those items may be carried in checked bags.

Basically, I would pack in the same manner as I have for international flights over the last 10 years. Basically, I'm not doing anything different with regard to any checked baggage that I may have.
jerry

My first experience with a manual search of checked baggage was in Lihue, HI. At the airline counter the agent checked me in, then handed my boarding pass and luggage tags to a security representative. I followed him a few feet away to a table where he hand searched the bags. He was wearing gloves, but I don't believe he used new ones for my search. Definitely something I'll have to watch for next time. He did not open any of my plastic bags, or find the need to go through my underthings. He was looking for larger, obvious threats i.e., explosives. Also, he was extremely polite and courteous, even mentioning that I may not want my camera in my checked baggage.

I have had two experiences with having my checked baggage hand inspected, once at Sacramento and once at Orange County. The SNA experience was much more thorough. Upon check-in, my boarding pass was held at the counter, and I was directed to the famous nearby table. I was about tenth in line, and spent about an hour waiting for my turn. The inspector did not change gloves, they are obviously worn to protect the inspectors and not our personal items! She placed my bag on the table, told me where to stand and then went thru EVERYTHING. I use one of those Eagle Creek shirt packing cubes, and she opened and unfolded every shirt. She opened my toilet kit and inspected it in detail. I travel with a hard hat, and fold laundry around a computer power source. She unrolled all of that. She inspected all internal pockets of the suitcase. It was EXTREMELY thorough.

I am a very tight packer, and of course, the inspector did not take the care to pack in the same way I did. As I tried to help, I got the feeling that she did not want me to touch anything. My bag was bulging when I got it back.

Once the inspection is completed, I returned to the counter, where the agent gave me my boarding pass and took my bag for checking without making me stand in line again. It was a cumbersome process to say the least.

Looks like this might create difficulties for the elderlytravelers (elderly parents, people with disabilities, etc). Did you notice if there were any airport/airline assistants around to help out? (my parents were planning a trip in a 1-2 months)