So they know that no one opened the suitcase once it’s been checked in.
You can padlock zips but a knife will go through the suitcase material like butter.
I imagine it’s the same principle as having a burglar alarm and a security light. You could still get burgled, but if your neighbour doesn’t have those things, the preferred target is obvious to a thief.
Oh for sure, but if the thief is using a knife (as we are discussing) and they’re up against a padlocked soft case or a soft case wrapped in clingfilm, they’re picking the padlocked one. It’s just about levels of risk and opportunity.
If I ever become a thief, I'll most definitely choose the cling film over padlock, simply because it's much easier. But I'm glad thieves are more hardworking in your universe.
But in this example the choice is between cutting into a soft case (ignoring the padlock entirely) or cutting through several thick layers of cling film, which will be slower. So choosing the cling film means “working harder”.
I don't know why people people are ridiculuing you for this. The cling film is supposed to be a deterrent more than anything else, thieves aren't going to want anything that slows them down.
Is one of us on glue? Have you ever tried to cut through cling film using a knife? It slows you down by what? Two seconds? That padlock gives you more protection than the foil.
Have you ever cut through more than a couple of layers of clingfilm at a time? It quickly cumulates into something much tougher than a single layer. I’ve gone to war with wonky wodges of clingfilm in the kitchen. These cases are being wrapped in multiple layers and they quickly become like a plastic carapace that takes a good effort to cut through, especially if you’re trying to be quick. A thief will choose a case that has no wrapping.
I’m right here with you on this. Cling film being a deterrent to a knife wielder seems illogical and not enough of a reason to go to all the faff of cling filming your suitcase.
If anything, it makes it more of a target because of the lengths someone is willing to go to to feel secure makes it seem like it would have more valuables.
I think they meant knife in the zip to pry the teeth apart, you can run the zip closer over the bit you pried and it resets and the damage in virtually imperceptible.
My wife's bag was cut open at joburg and someone had stuffed loads of electronics into it. I suppose it was a mule but they didn't get a chance to get the items out on the other end.
The fear of a corrupt baggage handler stuffing opium into your suitcase as you get on the plane to Saudi Arabia is probably enough to get many people to the wrapping machine.
Is this even a thing?!
What and they have someone waiting the other side to rip it open and get it out again?
Or just so you get caught?
I’m baffled (and probably very naïve too!)
I can't post a TT link but a while ago I saw a video where somehow poo (or something real unhygienic) got on people's luggage and was just spinning on the luggage carousel as obviously no one wanted to touch that, some cases were even open 🤢
I'd want to cling film my suitcase after that if anything
Absolutely no point, except if you have a damaged bag but then get a proper bag. But well, it's there because people pay for it. Some people get really stressed travelling and think these fake reassurances change anything.
It's a pain to remove afterwards and also a massive waste of plastic.
You can put little bags of sweets in there at various points so when you’re unwrapping it when you get home you get little treats, it’s a nice way to give yourself a lift from post holiday blues.
South Africa they are especially notorious for rummaging through your bags on arrival/departure so they’ve made a lot of money wrapping bags for people as a “peace of mind” thing.
I think they do it to protect the luggage from getting scuffed up when inevitably being man handled by the staff. My dad travels often and uses pvc covers instead for this reason. I don't travel often and my suitcase is the same one I've been using since my teens. But my dad had to replace his regularly before he got covers for them. Prevents a lot of wear and tear.
Getting unto suitcases is piss easy even when they have a lock, the only way through that film is to slash it which is easy to notice and hard to do discreatly enough
Case could be broken, or damaged and/or security, so you can tell if your case has been tampered with. I also know people who were flying to China who did it as the Chinese were spraying heavy amounts of disinfectant post Covid, so this was to protect their belongings inside the case.
One time my suitcase has sustained damage and the handlers wrapped it in film presumably to stop the contents disrupting their systems if the damage got worse.
I’d consider doing this for check luggage, because those bags get thrown about, fall off loading vehicles/ramps and I’d feel there’s a chance it could break or spring open.
It plays into the inherited laziness of all humans. That scan was a partial match but can I really be bothered to open the case? It invites serious investigations only and prevents rummaging for the hell of it.
I buy loose leaf tea from other countries, it always scans as something dodgy. They haven't bothered opening the wrapped case but they open the unwrapped case and just smash the tea pots to see what's inside.
It’s a must when visiting certain airports & no I think because it’s an in house service (3rd party but still recognised by the airports) no one has ever tampered with one of mine either way. Make me fly a Louis into MBJ & watch it get cut open.
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RobCarrol75@reddit
Good idea unless you want your case bursting open and exposing your dirty undies on the carousel
Visible_Pipe4716@reddit
So they know that no one opened the suitcase once it’s been checked in. You can padlock zips but a knife will go through the suitcase material like butter.
aggravatedyeti@reddit
Wouldn’t a knife also go through the cling film like butter?
Visible_Pipe4716@reddit
Yes, but then they would know someone has tampered with the case.
aggravatedyeti@reddit
Having it cut open without cling film would also be a subtle clue that someone tampered with it
vikingraider47@reddit
couldn't the thief take the valuables out of the case then wrap it again in cling film...?
AmazingPangolin9315@reddit
How does knowing that help you? It has already been tampered with.
gentletonberry@reddit
I imagine it’s the same principle as having a burglar alarm and a security light. You could still get burgled, but if your neighbour doesn’t have those things, the preferred target is obvious to a thief.
aggravatedyeti@reddit
That would be the same with a padlock though, right?
gentletonberry@reddit
Oh for sure, but if the thief is using a knife (as we are discussing) and they’re up against a padlocked soft case or a soft case wrapped in clingfilm, they’re picking the padlocked one. It’s just about levels of risk and opportunity.
kjus13@reddit
If I ever become a thief, I'll most definitely choose the cling film over padlock, simply because it's much easier. But I'm glad thieves are more hardworking in your universe.
gentletonberry@reddit
But in this example the choice is between cutting into a soft case (ignoring the padlock entirely) or cutting through several thick layers of cling film, which will be slower. So choosing the cling film means “working harder”.
hashbrowneggyolk0520@reddit
I don't know why people people are ridiculuing you for this. The cling film is supposed to be a deterrent more than anything else, thieves aren't going to want anything that slows them down.
kjus13@reddit
Is one of us on glue? Have you ever tried to cut through cling film using a knife? It slows you down by what? Two seconds? That padlock gives you more protection than the foil.
gentletonberry@reddit
Have you ever cut through more than a couple of layers of clingfilm at a time? It quickly cumulates into something much tougher than a single layer. I’ve gone to war with wonky wodges of clingfilm in the kitchen. These cases are being wrapped in multiple layers and they quickly become like a plastic carapace that takes a good effort to cut through, especially if you’re trying to be quick. A thief will choose a case that has no wrapping.
36wingwangs@reddit
Yes, you. The padlock is irrelevant, anyone who wraps a case is obviously going to have a fuck padlock as well.
cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit
I’m right here with you on this. Cling film being a deterrent to a knife wielder seems illogical and not enough of a reason to go to all the faff of cling filming your suitcase.
If anything, it makes it more of a target because of the lengths someone is willing to go to to feel secure makes it seem like it would have more valuables.
wongl888@reddit
If the cling film is cut thru at least it will create a doubt as when the drugs were inserted.
Motor_Hand1358@reddit
No because they wrap like 20 layers of cling film so it’s a bugger to cut open..takes too long for the thieves to cut through
El_Zilcho@reddit
I think they meant knife in the zip to pry the teeth apart, you can run the zip closer over the bit you pried and it resets and the damage in virtually imperceptible.
Opposite_Radio9388@reddit
You'd need to saw at my suitcase to get through the hard body. I see fewer and fewer soft suitcases these days.
TraditionalBread_@reddit
Stick a pen through pretty much any suitcase zip and it’ll pop open. It’s less about the case and more about the zip
Ok737468383838@reddit
Fly in to somewhere like Jo'burg. Everyone does it.
MorningToast@reddit
My wife's bag was cut open at joburg and someone had stuffed loads of electronics into it. I suppose it was a mule but they didn't get a chance to get the items out on the other end.
AvoriazInSummer@reddit
The fear of a corrupt baggage handler stuffing opium into your suitcase as you get on the plane to Saudi Arabia is probably enough to get many people to the wrapping machine.
roblawton@reddit (OP)
Is this even a thing?! What and they have someone waiting the other side to rip it open and get it out again? Or just so you get caught? I’m baffled (and probably very naïve too!)
AgileSloth9@reddit
I mean, it wouldn't help if the corrupt handler was in Saudi. Open case A, cut open B, transfer drugs to B.
Prove B was wrapped. In most instances that ain't something people photograph, and if they did, still no proving who did it if off camera
Occamsfacecloth@reddit
Bonus
Neitzi@reddit
Why do I never get reverse robbed
Dull_Hawk9416@reddit
I’ve never ever done it and Imve never had anything taken. Mind you I fly through Cape Town. I just figure if they eant to get in they’ll get in.
Amburger92@reddit
In joburg the mentality around this is “make your bag harder than the next persons to break into” - just another layer of inconvenience/protection.
DeathGuard1978@reddit
They did this when I went to South Africa, it's to stop them rummaging through your under crackers.
MysteriousTable6394@reddit
I can't post a TT link but a while ago I saw a video where somehow poo (or something real unhygienic) got on people's luggage and was just spinning on the luggage carousel as obviously no one wanted to touch that, some cases were even open 🤢
I'd want to cling film my suitcase after that if anything
Familiar9709@reddit
Absolutely no point, except if you have a damaged bag but then get a proper bag. But well, it's there because people pay for it. Some people get really stressed travelling and think these fake reassurances change anything.
It's a pain to remove afterwards and also a massive waste of plastic.
JustGhostin@reddit
Fly to country with a strict drugs policy and inadvertently become a mule
theabominablewonder@reddit
You can put little bags of sweets in there at various points so when you’re unwrapping it when you get home you get little treats, it’s a nice way to give yourself a lift from post holiday blues.
Neither_Computer5331@reddit
I was always told it was to prevent people putting stuff INTO your bag - ie drugs.
And it’s predominantly used if you fly into countries with extremely harsh punishments for drug smuggling.
The only time I’ve ever used it was at a left luggage service in France. We had to have the bags scanned and then sealed before they accept them.
C0ldfir350@reddit
South Africa they are especially notorious for rummaging through your bags on arrival/departure so they’ve made a lot of money wrapping bags for people as a “peace of mind” thing.
Never felt the need anywhere else in the world.
TheZYX@reddit
Same in South America in general
McLeod3577@reddit
If you are still paranoid about the smell of the brick of weed in the suitcase.
rollo_read@reddit
They're probably off to a location with a high rate of bag contents theft. Makes the old biro trick a tad difficult.
Busy-Doughnut6180@reddit
I think they do it to protect the luggage from getting scuffed up when inevitably being man handled by the staff. My dad travels often and uses pvc covers instead for this reason. I don't travel often and my suitcase is the same one I've been using since my teens. But my dad had to replace his regularly before he got covers for them. Prevents a lot of wear and tear.
Healthy_Spite_2334@reddit
Getting unto suitcases is piss easy even when they have a lock, the only way through that film is to slash it which is easy to notice and hard to do discreatly enough
nobodyspecialuk24@reddit
The only time I did this was when the place we were staying was due to be hit by a hurricane, and most of the area was flooded.
Jpmoz999@reddit
Case could be broken, or damaged and/or security, so you can tell if your case has been tampered with. I also know people who were flying to China who did it as the Chinese were spraying heavy amounts of disinfectant post Covid, so this was to protect their belongings inside the case.
runawayasfastasucan@reddit
Not saying you are wrong, but can't those tampering with your bag just wrap new cling film around it afterwards?
Jpmoz999@reddit
Am sure they could. But you’d be dealing with some kind of master criminal there so they deserve all they can grab.
neo101b@reddit
Drug dogs hate this one trick. /s
exkingzog@reddit
It signals to thieves that there is something worth stealing inside. That way you can get a new computer on your travel insurance.
binaryhextechdude@reddit
Protection against light fingered baggage handlers.
frzzjpeg@reddit
this reads funny :D
cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit
One time my suitcase has sustained damage and the handlers wrapped it in film presumably to stop the contents disrupting their systems if the damage got worse.
BeneficialVariety171@reddit
I did this because my suitcase was cracked and a wheel was hanging off, wanted to make sure it wouldn’t crack more and have all my things tumble out.
Made it all the way round Japan using their baggage delivery service and on the last trip they beat my suitcase up.
It’s retired now but gave me piece of mind for the way home that it wouldn’t open.
Lonely-Job484@reddit
This is the only time I'd use it - luggage damaged on outbound, need to get it back home before replacing
GuybrushFunkwood@reddit
In case the plane crashes into the ocean you’ll have some nice dry pants and socks to wear if you survive and wash up on a desert island …
imtheorangeycenter@reddit
Keeps the smuggled cheese fresh
Spare_Blueberries@reddit
proof of tampering?
TWOITC@reddit
I'm going to run them out of business.
Bubble wrap your case.
nl325@reddit
As a certified man child that would increase the chances of my throwing stuff if I were handling it lol
Meadowbank2@reddit
Plane AIDS
JamesTiberious@reddit
I’d consider doing this for check luggage, because those bags get thrown about, fall off loading vehicles/ramps and I’d feel there’s a chance it could break or spring open.
I don’t bother with cabin bags.
TheLightStalker@reddit
It plays into the inherited laziness of all humans. That scan was a partial match but can I really be bothered to open the case? It invites serious investigations only and prevents rummaging for the hell of it.
I buy loose leaf tea from other countries, it always scans as something dodgy. They haven't bothered opening the wrapped case but they open the unwrapped case and just smash the tea pots to see what's inside.
Ok-Rain6295@reddit
Help stop bedbugs from other luggage? Extra layer of security?
InfiniteComedian7172@reddit
I used it once when my suitcase decided to fall apart at the airport. In that moment I was thankful for the service
Most_Lingonberry_409@reddit
Yeah I’m not sure why people do this, is it so nobody can steal stuff from their bag effortlessly?
Naughty-Stepper@reddit
Yeah, only takes a biro to separate and open up the zip, contents rifled then re closed by running the tabs.
pixel_rip@reddit
Keep your sandwiches fresh
Mysterious_One9@reddit
Biro pen into the zip opens it up whether its locked or not. Wrap it up and no access to the zip to open.
Coenberht@reddit
Keep damp out. I've had damp get into my suitcase. Presumably it gets in if its waiting on the tarmac to be loaded while its raining.
AdonisCarbonado@reddit
It’s a must when visiting certain airports & no I think because it’s an in house service (3rd party but still recognised by the airports) no one has ever tampered with one of mine either way. Make me fly a Louis into MBJ & watch it get cut open.
sunheadeddeity@reddit
To stop ppl theiving from bags. Certain airports are notorious for baggage handlers rummaging through bags.
mailywhale@reddit
Extra protection against it opening or being opened
BoxmanPwnz@reddit
Not certain but the only 2 reasons I can think of are:
The_Blip@reddit
Saves the luggage getting damaged and worn in transit. Personally, I don't care.
OutrageousRhubarb853@reddit
Some countries it’s mandatory to have it wrapped.
bangkockney@reddit
Stops it from being tampered with. I’ve travelled all over SE Asia and never bothered.
evenstevens280@reddit
Maybe the zip is broken
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