Checking an empty bag
 

We'll be flying from DFW-ORD and would like to check an empty bag as we'll be bringing a bunch of stuff back with us from ORD in the bag. Obviously cost isn't an issue since I'm Gold, I'm more wondering if there's any sort of security issues or red flags that comes up with TSA with checking a completely empty bag.

I've done this for many years, including the past few years since the TSA was formed and began screening checked bags. I've had no grief about it from AA or TSA.

If empty checked bags cause them problems, imagine their displeasure at bags stuffed full of various possessions.

as long as you have nothing to hide :) you should be fine.

Agree no TSA consideration.

I could see some soft bags getting damaged in baggage handling if completely empty. This is often an issue with my MIL coming for visits from Europe- her trick is to put a smaller bag inside the larger one on the way over- and then fill them both up.

Agree that it shouldn't be a problem, but if you really think it will, take some stuff out of the other bags and put them in the spare, now it's no longer empty.

What we do is pack a fold-flat duffel inside one of our other bags, it's just easier to schlep around that way.

I thought about that...just didn't know if having a huge bag with just a couple shirts in it would look weird/set off a red flag.

I'll give it a shot next week and will post back if there any issues (which I''m doubting there will be any).

SA Mode on:

If worried your bag will not get proper attention find the loudest wind-up alarm clock and set it for 30 mintues prior to take off. You might be released before your return flight. :)

SA Mode off:

If it is a soft-sided bag, then do find something to "prop" it up that doesn't need to make the turn trip. A good option would be beach balls or other inflatable (resisting SA Mode again), that can be deflated once the bag is filled.

Another option would be to pickup a cheap bag at your destination and use it for the return.

Enjoy your trip.

A huge bag stuffed with a small amount of cocaine would cause problems. Shirts not so much.

We recently shipped wine to drink on a trip. It was packed in a nice wine box in a duffel bag. We wanted the box, so the return had the empty boxes in the duffel. Not empty, but very light. No issues.

Cheers.

What is most likely to happen is that the baggage handlers will apply a fair amount of force to it when they pick it up and toss it, as they will be expecting it to weigh a lot more than it does, so it may travel a bit further and arrive with a bit more speed than they planned. Also, the bag may well ride with 300 lbs. of somebody else's luggage on top of it, and nothing inside it to help it resist collapsing. Bag damage is the most likely problem.

Do post back, though. You've got me curious.

There won't be any issues unless, as others point out, your bag gets crushed. But security? No.

Do report back, though, if you see black helicopters hovering around your house. :)

I checked an empty bag with CO last weekend. It was fine. Nothing happened. CO put the bag (at least initially) in one of those box-thingies that they put strollers in. I guess thats a way for handlers to know its an empy bag.

Inflated things usually don't like changes in sourrounding pressure too much.

Why don't just go for a couple of old magazines or newspapers?

Just be sure the bag us ruggard enough that it does no collapse
if 5 -50 lb suitcases are put on top of it in the hole

Folks I know that plan on bringing lots of stuff back from a trip often pack a smaller bag and then place it in a larger bag. That way, the empty bag can support the weight of being crushed.

Then again, this might be a good time to have a little fun. Maybe fill the empty bag with rolls of toilet paper. That'll get people thinking.

Totally OT, but this is one that I've actually done. For reasons that I don't totally understand, whenever there is a shipping strike (or rumors of a shipping strike), people in Hawaii go out and buy all the toilet paper they can find. Naturally, this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and there is no toilet paper to be had anywhere. When I was flying out to visit my parents many years ago, this situation existed, and they asked me to bring a second suitcase full of toilet paper, which I did. There were no problems, but this was well before 9/11, might be different now. Did feel a little odd.