Linda

For those of you who have traveled since the new baggage inspection/search law in the US... I will be packing by rolling up and putting in ziplock bags. With hand searches of luggage will they open the bags and dump my clothes out leaving me to repack or just feel their way through?<BR><BR>Thanks!

janis

You can't know ahead of time - depends on the airport, airline, individual inspector, etc. <BR><BR>If they are the least bit suspicious though - be prepared for a very thorough check. What ever you do, don't roll anthing hard or metalic inside any garment.

Yolanda

They may and better be ready. No dirty underweare anymore. Darn, I have to my wash in Rome?

David

Why not dirty underwear? I pack mine right on top and it's stopped more than a couple of customs inspectors. LOL<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Gretchen

They just sort of feel around. I think all inspectors are required to put things back as they find them. Even several years ago they inspected a box in my carry-on (it was a set of silver--lots of knives and forks!). After they inspected it I offered to put tape back on it and all but had my hand slapped for reaching for it.

tom

No - they are NOT required to put it back the way they found it. Security personnel are to busy (hopefully) to be re-packing your bag. If they want to shove everything back in the case they might do that - but folding/rolling/bundling or however you pack - no way.<BR><BR>I have flown about 8 times since Sept 11 and have observed everything from a cursory feel through the bags to a complete empty-ing of everything and the poor traveler having to repack her really overpack roll-on. <BR><BR>For some reason, My bag hasn't been searched even once - must not match any profile, or just lucky?

gail

I know it was before 9/11 - but, for some reason they chose my family's luggage to hand search at JFK on our return from Egypt. They took it into a cubby, asked us to stay outside, but we could watch. An inspector removed the top layer of stuff and then dug around in the bags with his hand - actually removing only about 1/4 of the stuff. Then they placed it all back in in a reasonably orderly manner and asked us to zip up the suitcases. (I am still wondering what sort of profile 2 middle aged white adults with 2 kids fit)

ttt

The baggage checks are random. The computer at the gate chooses who will be inspected. The other day it was a 75 year old woman in a wheelchair. However if you give the gate agent a bad time - be warned - they can choose you themselves for a thorough going over!! They can also choose anyone they think is suspicious or acting strangely. Does this mean people might actually be nicer to those poor people working at the airport who have had everything including the kitchen sink dumped on them since 9-11?

Geri

We flew to Munich Thanksgiving and on the return both my husband and I had our check-in hand searched. I was uncomfortable having someone go through "everything". I had dirty laundry stuffed in my boots and it was taken out of my boots. We sort of became friends with the inspector as we discussed the items I purchased. She approved of most of my selections. I actually felt more sorry for her having to go through our laundry. And yes, we had to reback.