KeyGal

I am planning to check (boo-hoo, first time checking a bag in about 20 years) a plastic-lined zipper tote bag for packing our liquid toiletries and other non-allowed carryon items. What is the best way to keep it secure? I was thinking of taping a list of its contents on the outside and then securing it with a bungee cord or tape, because they can just break a lock anyway if they decide to inspect something. Is my idea not a good one for any reason, and if so, any suggestions? We're carrying on the bulk of our luggage because it's new and beautiful and I don't want to risk having it damaged or losing any of our clothing.

gail

I don't think taping a list to the outside has any benefit - if they want to open it, they will. Why would a list decrease the chance of inspection.

Second - why lock it. Let someone steal your shampoo. If you really want to lock it, there are TSA approved locks.

Third. Transfer everything you can to good quality plastic bottles (we use ones from REI). Place each bottle in a ziplock bag so if one leaks it does not mess up everything else. Try to reduce the size and number of items you bring - you can probably live with hotel brand shampoo, etc. for the length of your trip.

Consider packing some soft, bulky, washable clothing items with the checked items to cushion them. When I check luggage my toiletries are packed as above but then go in the middle of a nest of clothes.

While I have no data to support my hunch, I think small soft-sided tote bags are the worst thing to check - they are so squishy that and "throwable" that they may end up tossed on the bottom of a pile of luggage. I would buy a small piece of hard-sided luggage and put everything in there.

I gave up on having beautiful luggage since I don't always carry on my stuff and from getting tossed, abused, rained on, frozen and fried by personnel and travel conditions, it never stays beautiful for long.

KeyGal

How the toiletries are packed isn't an issue -- they're already in ziplocs and an organizer with sealed pockets and cushioning. And we ALWAYS carry on our baggage, so since we're the only ones who handle it, we like having nice luggage. So I'm really looking for the best ideas about sealing this zipper bag that I want to check (which will be serving double duty as our beach bag).

toedtoes

KeyGal, I'm not sure I understand.

You are only planning on checking one zipper tote bag with your toiletries and carrying on all your other luggage?

If you are that concerned about the bag, why don't you forego the toiletries and pick them up at your destination instead?

Another solution might be to pick up a cheap small carryon (one you'd find at Target, etc.) and use that for the checked luggage. If it gets ruined you won't care and you can then carry your tote with the rest of your clothes.

I agree with Gail that a softsided tote bag is the most likely to get damaged or lost in checked baggage. It seems you're more concerned about the tote bag than anything else, so I wouldn't check it. I remember a designer saying once "if you can't afford to have it broken, you can't afford to have it". I've taken that to heart and only buy what I can afford to replace - then I don't have to worry about unforeseen dangers all the time.

KeyGal

You & Gail are both right about not checking the bag we want to use. Good idea about using a junk one. As far as the toiletries, we're just a pair of fussbudgets when it comes to the products we use, and also have some prescription creams & other things that won't be easily found in Aruba.
Thanks for the tips - now I know what to do.

toedtoes

I understand KeyGal - my haircare products are non negotiable. It's taken years to find products that work on my hair without frizzing it (and that's cruelty-free), so I don't cut corners there.

I've done the cheap luggage in reverse. Brought back too many souvenirs/gifts, so I picked up an inexpensive carry-on at the local market and used it as my second checked bag. Much easier than dragging along a spare "just in case" and when I get home, I donate it or give it to someone I know. For $10-$20, it's not a big deal.

Have fun on your trip.