Toedtoes, It's an Aussie thing. I have read countless discussions (on Hawaii forums) and still I can't quite understand it. But many people from Oz seem to share this same fear of drugs being planted in their suitcases when they are checked thru on the airlines.

Yup - I won't go into all the detail about what our federal police have found goes on behind the scenes, and maybe our fears are completely groundless. However, I would rather be safe than sorry - a death sentence in an Asian country (bear in mind that most flights from Australia to Europe go via Asia) is not the way I want to go!

I would far rather be able to tell if our suitcases have been opened since we last saw them so I can alert a customs official to this fact before I find myself, or my family, in trouble.

Perhaps there are scumbags out there who just want to get Aussies in trouble...

A simple solution if all you want to know is if someone got into your bag, is to use the plastic ties (found at hardware stores and used to gather wiring) or even simple twisty-ties that you get with plastic bags.

Even a simple wire pipe cleaner would advice you that someone was in your bag without costing a lot of money (and dealing with a lazy TSA agent who simply cuts the lock off instead of using the "universal key&quot.

Thanks for making me smile Toadtoes! Probably more likely that we Aussies are just paranoid. Maybe it's got something to do with the Aussies who keep getting caught in Asia carrying drugs - who knows if they're innocent or not - I have my opinions but I'll keep them to myself!

Thanks for the great idea about the plastic ties and pipecleaners - very smart.

Hi Ozziez,

Sorry I haven't responded sooner. I would recommend the types of ties that you suggest if you would like to know if the tie has been removed. (Even if it has been removed, it may not have been done by a person as bags travel along mechanized baggage belts.) I have a feeling that they may be a bit overpriced. I have seen generic ties in a 99 cent store that would need to be cut to be removed but does not have serial numbers. These could serve a similar purpose at a fraction of the cost.

I never heard of anyone introducing items into baggage while I worked in the bagroom, but I actually caught someone taking something out of a bag. Never put anything of value in your checked bags. Also, never put medication there either.

Additionally, although liquids are allowed to be in checked luggage, ensure liquids will be contained (ie. in ziploc type bag) in case the original container breaks.

Also, I don't know if the TSA here in the US still does it, but when they opened bags, they would put a notification in the bag that advised the passenger they had done so.

Hi misterfuss

Thanks so much for your reply. Very useful.

Is the reason why medication should not be packed in checked luggage because it could be stolen?

And so you have it in case your baggage is lost or delayed. My father (usually very organized) packed his meds in his checked luggage on our trip to Scotland. His was one of the three bags that got delayed, though only by two days for him (his was the first back). Without his meds, some of which was for his blood pressure and diabetes, he was very listless and tired, so he did nothing those two days but hang around the apartment.

Ah GreenDragon - I never thought of that .....

Hi Ozziez,

As GreenDragon mentioned, if your bags are delayed or lost, so is the medication that you packed. Occasionally, when a flight was delayed, we would get a request to retrieve medication from a checked bag. *If* we were able to retrieve the bag (time constraints, manpower issues, accessibility of the bag, etc.), we would send it to the baggage claim area since we were not permitted to bring a checked bag in to the "sterile" passenger concourse. The passenger would then have to re-check the bag and possibly miss the flight. In general, prescription medication is exempt from the 3 ounce US limitation as long as you have the original prescription label attached. The TSA site has some good information:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1059.shtm

My motto in the Air Force was, "Flexibility is the key to air power - which loosely translates to always carry on your bag."

While I rarely find myself rerouting mid trip like I once did. I still carry-on only. No lost or delayed bags, no waiting at the terminal and no extra check-in time.

Very informative misterfuss - thank you!

I am the Queen of Lost Luggage as it's happened to me 7 times, and not just within the US. When I get to my destination I don't expect my bag to be there. If my bag arrives when I do, then I celebrate my good fortune!!

Usually it happens due to short layovers, but once it was due to mis-labeling. I agree with the advice to re-check the luggage tag before letting them take your bag. Otherwise it's just luck of the draw most of the time.

The good news is I always got my luggage back w/in 2 days.

I too, am touching wood, never had my bag misplaced. I always check my bag and carry on just a tote with my camera and an extra pair of shoes. (The only clothing I'm particular about)

One tag on the outside and all my contact information in the top front pocket with my hotels and cell phone #. If traveling with dh I include his too.

Also if traveling with dh, we put a little clothing in each other's bags.

Suze and Toadtoes - just had to tell you that I think I know why us Aussies are so paranoid about locking our suitcases. I've just received a pamphlet - more like a booklet actually (18 pages!) from Australian customs telling me what we can and can't take in and out of Australia, etc. In this pamphlet/booklet it states that travellers are strongly advised to lock their check-in and carry-on luggage. Now I know!

Very interesting and helpful information.
I have a question about the name tags on suitcases.
I always have my home address on the tag. But was thinking that maybe it would be better to put the address of my detination, so that if in case the bag is lost/delayed in between connections, it can eventualy be delivered to my vacation destination instead of my home.
Wondering if that makes any sense. Not sure.
Would love to read your advice or experience. Thanks

Ileen - that would work if you're going to be in one place for a while. If you'll be moving around, then it could cause more problems.

One thing I was told to do is to put the phone number and address of someone who will be around to get the call and to then contact you.

It also keeps your address (of the house that will be empty for a length of time) from being visible to folks who might use it to their advantage. This would most likely occur in the "backside" of the local airport.

I always put my work address and my cell phone number. That means my home address isn't advertised as an empty house. I have my cell phone so they will call me wherever I am (I seldom vacation in just one spot), and have an itinerary inside the suitcase.

I do tours but still I put the hotel where I am going on about 5 tags all over my luggage. I also make a sign and tape that to the outside of the luggage, and then inside is a full itinerary of my hotels. I also list my cell phone number.

Then on the way home I change everything and put my home address on all the tags etc.

My hubby is always home so I don't have to worry about an empty house.

Hi ileen,

My luggage name tag is actually an expired United Mileage Plus card (the number is still correct, but the year has past.) This card has my name and frequent flyer number on it. I taped my cell phone number and home phone number on it as well.

If United loses my bag, then they can look up my itinerary and my address (in addition to having my phone numbers.) I usually have a copy of my itinerary in an exterior pocket as well.

Misterfuss: Your idea is worth copying. Easy to do and pretty smart. Thanks