I had CLR on my BP today (which I assume means clear). Saw others that read PPBM and they got searched. What do the codes really mean and how do you get them? Random?

PPBM appears to meean "Private Parts Boisterously Massaged"

http://www.westword.com/issues/2001-10-11/calhoun.html

Now for the serious answer

PPBM means "positive passenger bag match." If you get this on a baggage tag, your bag is unloaded if you unload or don't load.

International flights are 100% PPBM, domestic is not (yet) 100%, and PPBM happens if you look shady to the computer. Your bag is tagged and is supposed to be loaded last, once you've boarded the plane.

I've only had it happen once, about 2 years ago when I flew one way on UA to LAS, on a full fare F ticket. I noticed that PPBM printed on the bag tag in big black letters. I asked the agent what it meant, and she said she didn't know, just that it happened once in a while.

See: http://frequentflyer.oag.com/features/f082001-3.asp for more info.

I had "CLR" on my SNA-ORD BP this week too. That one's definately new.



[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 10-11-2001).]

I assume the CLR appears whenever you don't have any checked luggage? Did either of you have checked bags and still get a CLR?

I checked 2 bags to Toronto, but was only given BPs to ORD (I had to check in again for the ORD-YYZ flight).

I guess in the new world of flying you're either CLR or PPBM.

I got the mysterious "CLR" on BP (flying out of SFO on 10/08), and I *did* have a checked bag. So it's not that simple... :-)

So is UA doing random bag matching, NOT good - considering they have portable bag scanners and the software to do bag matching based on boarding pass readings

UA have had *** CLR *** on bp's out of europe (AMS and LHR at least) for as many years as I've been flying those routes - ie coming up on 7 years now. I always figured it was a security check type thing - ie: answered the questions, checked in okay yadda...

------------------
RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

What's worse is that they seem to be telling people how their bags will be handled in case they don't board. Doesn't seem very clever...

***CLR*** means you succesfully cleared CAPPS.

What is CAPPS? And, why, in a thread which is about clarifying acronyms do you introduce yet another one without explanation???

CAAPS - Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System

I have checked bags domesticly twice this year and, unfortunately, also got a chance to watch the baggage gods employ that fancy technology, to which you allude, twice as well. And let me tell you, "clueless" and "hopeless" are gross understatements. In fact, the first time it happenned, my flight out of IAD was cancelled but my bag ended up flying anyway (took three days to locate it), ... but I digress. Suffice it to say, I am now much more sympathetic to those people that try to take all of their worldly possessions with them in the cabin.

The agent at SFO RCC told me Monday that the CLR is part of the new security process, signifying that you've been cleared.

If it's related to the CAPPS process as stated about, then I wonder whether it's based on your profile in the computer--MP members (and Premiers esp.) may automatically receive it, as they're deemed less of a threat given their frequent time on UA metal.

Read the OAG link in my message above and you'll know all about what CAPPS is...