Checking Your Baggage “At The Door”: What You Need To Know About Packing and Locking Your Luggage

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Remember when you could stash your cash and other valuables in your luggage since they’d be securely locked and stored until you reached your destination? Well, times have changed and you may just want to reconsider where you place your “spare change”. In fact, just in case you didn’t know checking your luggage may literally mean getting it checked out (at the airport)

Just recently (last year) Congress made it mandatory that all bagged be checked and thoroughly screened for explosive/weapons. Should your luggage get singled out for inspection, it’s mandatory that the Transportations Security Administration has easy access to your (luggage) contents and belongings, even if that requires breaking the lock.

Experts note that often times items such as books, certain foods, bottled water, and heavy healed shoes among others can trigger the alarm and security system. And, they suggest “storing” such item on top, so they can be easily viewed and identified. Also, they suggest that toiletries be kept in clear bags rather than in a traditional cosmetics case, making contents easier to spot. Finally, don’t overpack, but instead leave enough room so that, should your luggage need to be inspected, it’s easier to do so.

Long Island Travel & Leisure Articles > Checking Your Baggage “At The Door”: What You Need To Know About Packing and Locking Your Luggage