Next they might make us check our laptops in our unlocked luggage.

[readmoreoften]

That'll be fun. I'm sure they'll handle my laptop with the utmost care.


Taken from a Netscape news thread in LBN

"The new procedures cover all flights, both international and domestic. Currently, laptop computers, cell phones and other electronic devices are allowed, but that is subject to change."

[Kutjara]

1. Your laptop will be cared for very well.

After all, it will be a Christmas present for the baggage-handler's child.

[tridim]

4. Or it'll end up at that "Unclaimed Baggage" Store in Georgia

Which I've always suspected is a scam involving collusion between baggage handlers and the store.

[Bluebear]

13. Truly, the baggage handlers where I work are honest, decent people

I am sure there are bad apples in every job, but let's not paint all ramp employees as theives.

[Kutjara]

14. Heathrow has earned the nickname 'Thiefrow' because...

...so much stuff is stolen there. A couple of years ago, police busted up a ring that was operating between Heathrow and JFK, with handlers tipping eachother off about particularly valuable luggage. Security staff operating the x-ray equipment were also implicated, but I don't think any of them were charged.

[Bluebear]

15. I hear that.

JFK has long ties to organized crime too.

Just pertin' out that there are a lot of honest folks out there too

[Heddi]

19. I knew a couple of guys that were baggage handlers

Firstly, how they GOT the jobs is beyond me---all of them had arrest records longer than my arm---granted, this was WAY pre-9/11 (mid 90's), but it was still amazing.

Secondly, here they are just BRAGGING about all the shit they'd steal from luggage. CD Players, CD's, clothes, shoes---it didn't matter. THey'd break the locks and just take whatever they wanted. Glory be to them when an unlocked bag would come rolling through---it'd be stripped clean in 2 minutes.

THey worked for Delta, btw.

Eventually they got busted for lifting all kinds of electronic equipment that was being shipped (for a company--not private people's stuff), but they weren't arrested---just fired.

great!

Thanks to them and my first hand experience with bag robbers, I have THREE locks on my bag and NEVER put anything in my bag that is worth more than $10. I could give a shit if they take my week-dirty used undies, or walked-about-in-Europe-for-three-day Socks (Hey, it will save me time at the washer!)...but no one is going to steal my Ipod shuffle or shoes!!!

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. You can't lock your bags anymore

[Heddi]

23. I have those TSA-approved locks

and they supposedly change colour if they've been opened. Actually, since I took my first international trip in 1998, I've never NOT locked my bags when flying domestically or internationally, including our most recent trip to Holland in March 06.

Our bags were opened when we came back from Holland in 2002---suppose they were making sure we weren't trafficking weed or whatever, but never since then. Or if they were, they replaced our locks with locks that fit the keys we had for said locks.

we even lock our carry on bags. I don't want someone stealing my maxipads while I snooze during the 8th showing of The Incredibles

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. Oh I didn't realize there were TSA approved locks

What makes them different?

[Heddi]

28. I don't know. They have this little symbol on the front

and it changes colours if it's opened by TSA -- again, supposedly. I've never seen the lock change colour after I get it from baggage return, and I've never had the little sticker on my baggage saying it was checked/opened, so who knows--they could be rifling through my shit the entire trip and I wouldn't know about it

Here are some:

http://www.thesavvytraveller.com/tools/travel_sentry/1h...

TRAVEL SENTRY locks are combination locks that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents can open without damaging or disabling them.
Here's how it works:


1. Travel Sentry™ Certified luggage locks have a special identification mark alerting the TSA that they can open this lock without destroying it.
2. The luggage locks have a special code, which is used by the TSA.
3. Each TSA screening location uses the code to override (open) the lock and then relock it after inspection.

If a security agent does open your luggage a note will be placed inside to let you know.

For more information
SearchAlert TRAVEL SENTRY luggage locks also show you if the locks have been opened by a TSA key. These locks might help you prove a claim for damaged/stolen items.
Here's how it works:


1. When the TSA override device is used, the Security Window changes from green to red.
2. The Security Window also changes color from green to red if a counterfeit override device is used to open the lock.

Since a TSA agent is required to leave a TSA Notice of Inspection in opened bags, you will know if your bag was opened by a TSA agent or by someone with a counterfeit device. If the SearchAlert lock Security Window shows red and no official notice of inspection is found, travellers should take the luggage to a TSA security person to determine if anything is missing or if anything has been added to the luggage.




The red diamond clearly shows the TSA that they have approved this lock and can open it with a special key if they need to. If the lock is opened, the indicator changes from green to red so you know.



---

They are pretty much the only luggage locks we could find anymore when we went to buy some a few years ago to replace the decrepit, any-key-can-open-them locks we had previously

[proud2BlibKansan]

29. Those are neat - I want some

even though I rarely fly. LOL

[Heddi]

30. Go to Target. THey're about $8 a lock

those funny coloured little things on the front cost money, you know!!!!

[slackmaster]

26. Some checked items have to be locked

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editor...

[northzax]

2. one word: FedEx

overnight your stuff.

[Mist]

3. That was my thought--FedEx will get good business out of this nonsense.nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. Does *co own stock in FedEx? Is FedEx * contributors?

[October]

32. FedEx Field is in Washington, DC...where pols are wined/dined

Fred Smith is definitely a favored friend in Washington. It wasn't for nothing he got the huge US Postal contract.

When FedEx bought the naming rights to the Washington Redskins football field, I knew it was for political reasons. FedEx is based in Memphis, TN, a right-to-work state.

[readmoreoften]

9. I know that it's about $160 to same day a box out of NYC.

Can business travellers afford to be without a laptop for a day and a half? And even at an overnight rate this is going to jack the price of travel way up.

[goddess40]

11. I think that is part of the plan

They must be big contributors to the GOP

[Lenore]

16. That will work for the bi-yearly Flyer...

What about the commuting business people? My husband commutes two states away for work and uses, no *needs* that time (waiting and flying) with his computer to do mandatory reports. We're talking 6 hours a week of airport/flying time, of which he averages at least 4 hours of work.

And my guy isn't the only one! In the year that he has commuted, he has become acquainted with other "regulars"... people who have made the same choice, to continue employment in another state while moving the family due to cost of living (ie being able to finally afford to purchase a home).

We've been considering looking for employment for Hubby closer to home but the closest option would be an hour plus commute each way (10 or more hours per week), good traffic considered. We will have more of an incentive to go that route if he isn't able to utilize his current flying commute time to do the computer work needed. Certainly many others would be affected in the same way.

[northzax]

31. yeah, well, he gets screwed, sorry

frankly, I look forward to telling my boss that I can't actually work on the plane. I want to sleep, not have to bill hours. but there you go, different people need different things. but the ban on laptops is coming, so you might want to find a way to adjust, sorry.

[MrModerate]

5. Two hideously expensive potential solutions:

1) Specialized "tempest" laptop cases rugged enough (and with GPS locators, etc.) to survive the regular baggage handling system (they'd have to be x-rayable, though). A substantial number'd still go walkabout, however, giving corporate security officers fits.

2) Standalone laptop handling baggage system (at a substantial extra price) that would protect them from theft and damage.

Going to take months to establish, no matter what. Until then?

[readmoreoften]

12. It can't protect them from theft, the bags have to be unlocked.

My girlfriend is a filmmaker and she checked her super-8 (new) camera. The case arrived, the camera wasn't in it.

[MrModerate]

17. Exactly -- they would have to change the rules to accommodate . . .

A huge upsurge in expensive hardware being sent into the baggage hold.

Despite their stupidity, the senior DHS pudknockers can't just do nothing -- businesses, many of whom rightly consider Geo. Bush their bought-and-paid-for butt boy, will insist that their employees have some reliable way to travel with their laptops.

But it's going to take some time to work out. In the meantime, chaos, delay, frustration, and a huge windfall to FedEx (shipping overnighted laptops) and laptop manufacturers (since major businesses are going to have to stock backups in their various offices to equip traveling employees).

[MrCoffee]

6. Say goodby to all your porn

[sam sarrha]

8. they will arrest you as you get of the plane in the South.. for porno..

they will put you in prison for looking at it, then you will be ass raped for the duration of you sentence..

[elehhhhna]

7. Back up all those personal VA files first, 'kay?

[Snivi Yllom]

18. I see a market for a lockable padded laptop case w/ GPS tracking

just watch

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. Can't lock luggage anymore

[slackmaster]

25. Unless it contains a firearm

Then it has to be locked per TSA regulations.

The weapon gets inspected and tagged at baggage check-in.

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. Another poster here just told me there are TSA approved locks

Learn something new every day.

[3waygeek]

20. My dad travels frequently

flying up & down the West coast just about every week. A GPS unit was stolen from his luggage recently -- the first such theft in 35+ years of frequent travel.

With laptops, the bigger danger is probably breakage -- Dad's lost a couple that way.