How to avoid TSA search of luggage?
Jun 8, 2010, 6:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Annapolis, MD
Programs: DL UA
Posts: 40
How to avoid TSA search of luggage?
I've read a lot of threads about the love notes we receive when our luggage is searched. Some of you seem to never get yours searched, others, all the time. I've noticed for myself, my curling iron always seems to cause my luggage to be searched. I need to try to remember to roll the cord around it.
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
Jun 8, 2010, 7:07 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,037
I've read a lot of threads about the love notes we receive when our luggage is searched. Some of you seem to never get yours searched, others, all the time. I've noticed for myself, my curling iron always seems to cause my luggage to be searched. I need to try to remember to roll the cord around it.
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
Some TSAers are "certified" to allow the things like toothpaste through when they see it, but they still sometimes get pulled aside.
Jun 8, 2010, 8:10 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MCO (Orlando, Florida)
Programs: AA Gold, WN P+, Hertz President's Circle, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 209
Metamucil
I've read a lot of threads about the love notes we receive when our luggage is searched. Some of you seem to never get yours searched, others, all the time. I've noticed for myself, my curling iron always seems to cause my luggage to be searched. I need to try to remember to roll the cord around it.
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
Jun 8, 2010, 10:02 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,629
Jun 8, 2010, 10:25 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PHX & PPT
Programs: DL PM, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold, AmExPlat
Posts: 833
Sometimes checking bags is unavoidable. We spend two months at a time in the South Pacific, and inevitably have some kind of food substance or toiletry supplies in checked luggage that cause a hand inspection every single time. We now know, from long experience, which items cause suspicion (canned tuna and peanut butter, for example), and try to pack those items as close to the top as possible (and protected in zip-loc bags), to avoid everything in the luggage being pawed through and arriving topsy-turvy.
Also, if we are traveling with multiple pieces of checked luggage, we try to keep all the "suspicious" items in one bag, to avoid multiple searches of the other bags.
Also, if we are traveling with multiple pieces of checked luggage, we try to keep all the "suspicious" items in one bag, to avoid multiple searches of the other bags.
Jun 8, 2010, 3:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
The last time I flew WN out of BWI, a TSO there sarcastically advised me that I was not permitted my bar of Ivory soap, since, when sitting next to my shoes in my carry-on, she thought the combination of shoelaces and the soap looked like a bomb (her words, not mine)...I have also had a three-pack of Ivory (one of only two soaps I have found that I don't react to) removed on two separate occasions when I have checked my luggage (only if I have tools that I cannot get in the destination).
Jun 8, 2010, 9:16 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,702
I've read a lot of threads about the love notes we receive when our luggage is searched. Some of you seem to never get yours searched, others, all the time. I've noticed for myself, my curling iron always seems to cause my luggage to be searched. I need to try to remember to roll the cord around it.
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
What tips do you have to avoid luggage being opened and pilfered by TSA? What types of items trigger a hand search?
What else do you always have in your luggage? Books, magazines, foods?
Depends, as there are different size ctx machines. Some can handle them, some can not.
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Jun 9, 2010 at 1:54 am Reason: merge consecutive posts
