Originally Posted by ND Sol

Well, I haven't seen one yet, so I was basing it on the ICN stickers that they stick on luggage when coming back into the States.

If the sticker would draw your attention prior to loading, then why at some airports does it take so many to double-check my boarding pass to see if it has SSSS on it? I would think that would also be noticed first time through. :)

Even with the stickers, I could see taking it off my luggage tag and placing it on the luggage for the next time. May not make a difference, but it might save an internal check.

It would seem to me that it would still make the most sense to use a marker instead on the luggage tag.

Originally Posted by Bart

Is it possible you're thinking about carry-on as opposed to checked luggage? I don't see the connection between your boarding pass and checked luggage which is why I'm asking.

I check tags for two primary reasons:

1) To make sure that it is the correct tag for the airline I'm screening for. We have checked baggage pods located in close proximity and passengers sometimes come to the wrong pod. So I sometimes have to direct them to the correct screening pod.

2) To note the flight times. When we're busy, I have to make sure that the earliest flights are screened first so that they are loaded on the plane on time. Our goal is to have the bags back in the airlines' hands no later than 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure times. The airlines agree to put late tags on bags checked in within this 30 minute window. Since TSA is financially liable for any missed bags, I take the extra measure of marking the times on the tag itself of when I received the bag whenever they are within the 30 minute window but don't have a late tag attached.

The problem with markers is that anyone can use one to mark a tag unless we go to a color code system. For example, today we'll use red, tomorrow blue, etc. The problem here is that there is always 10% that don't get the word or will post the day's color code somewhere where everyone can see it which defeats the purpose of having a code. TSA tags are much easier. Airline baggage personnel know to notify their supervisor immediately if they don't see one on a bag . It's simple.

What I object to is TSA's obsession with uniformity by spending additional money to have these cool-looking holographic TSA stickers when the plain Jane ones we currently have suffice.

Originally Posted by TSASCRNR

umm................

Reason for the new tags is to keep breaches off aircrafts.

Such as... LOADING A BAG THAT WASNT SCREENED.

Using a marker?

Anyone can scribble TSA on a tag prior to throwing it on the belt to go into the bag room/sceening location.

These holographic stickers are for us, as well as the bag loaders from the airlines to KNOW that the bag is/is not screened.

Originally Posted by ND Sol

As soon as all cargo is screened that goes into the belly of the aircraft I am flying on, then I will start worrying about how to mark bags to denote that they have been screened. Having said that, why isn't a self-inking stamp that is rotated among a few different ones used? Seems that it would be cheaper in the long run, easier to use and not as likely to be reused by passengers as the stickers might.

I wish that the TSA would stop rearranging the deck chairs.